Cuisine of early farmers revealed by analysis of proteins in pottery from Catalhoyuk

EurekAlert ^ | October 3, 2018 | Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History

[SunkenCiv]

Çatalhöyük was a large settlement inhabited from about 7100 BC to 5600 BC by early farmers, and is located in what is now central Turkey. The site showcases a fascinating layout in which houses were built directly next to each other in every direction and stands out for its excellent preservation of finds...

For this study, the researchers analyzed vessel sherds from the West Mound of Çatalhöyük, dating to a narrow timeframe of 5900-5800 BC towards the end of the site's occupation. The vessel sherds analyzed came from open bowls and jars, as shown by reconstructions and had calcified residues on the inside surfaces... The researchers used state-of-the-art protein analyses on samples taken from various parts of the ceramics, including the residue deposits, to determine what the vessels held.

The analysis revealed that the vessels contained grains, legumes, meat and dairy products. The dairy products were shown to have come mostly from sheep and goats, and also from the bovine (cattle) family. While bones from these animals are found across the site and earlier lipid analyses have identified milk fats in vessels, this is the first time researchers have been able to identify which animals were actually being used for their milk. In line with the plant remains found, the cereals included barley and wheat, and the legumes included peas and vetches. The non-dairy animal products, which might have included meat and blood, came primarily from the goat and sheep family, and in some cases from bovines and deer. Interestingly, many of the pots contain evidence of multiple food types in a single vessel, suggesting that the residents mixed foods in their cuisine, potentially as porridges or soups, or that some vessels were used sequentially for different food items, or both.

[SunkenCiv]

This is trench 5 on the West Mound (ca. 6000 - 5600 BC) of Çatalhöyük during excavation. The larger East Mound (ca. 7100 - 6000 BC), which was already deserted when the West Mound flourished, is visible in the background. [Jason Quinlan]

[SunkenCiv]

[Jeff Chandler]

houses were built directly next to each other in every direction

Wow. Not much has changed in 9000 years.

[SunkenCiv]

:^) The houses used their roof smoke-holes for ingress and egress, making the roofs themselves the "streets" and the outer walls of the outermost homes the city wall. They were not only reliant on settled ag, they were big shots in the obsidian trade.

[Natufian]

Thanks SC. Love your work, sir. What a fascinating place. How I’d love to have a time machine.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks for the kind remarks, and btw, great nick!