Posted on 06/24/2019 6:40:16 AM PDT by SunkenCiv
Scientists studying the ancient ruins of Çatalhöyük, in modern Turkey, found that its inhabitants - 3,500 to 8,000 people at its peak - experienced overcrowding, infectious diseases, violence and environmental problems...
Çatalhöyük, in what is now south-central Turkey, was inhabited from about 7100 to 5950 B.C. First excavated in 1958, the site measures 13 hectares (about 32 acres) with nearly 21 meters of deposits spanning 1,150 years of continuous occupation...
Çatalhöyük began as a small settlement about 7100 B.C., likely consisting of a few mud-brick houses in what researchers call the Early period. It grew to its peak in the Middle period of 6700 to 6500 B.C., before the population declined rapidly in the Late period. Çatalhöyük was abandoned about 5950 BC...
During its peak in population, houses were built like apartments with no space between them - residents came and left through ladders to the roofs of the houses...
In a sample of 93 skulls from Çatalhöyük, more than one-fourth - 25 individuals - showed evidence of healed fractures. And 12 of them had been victimized more than once, with two to five injuries over a period of time. The shape of the lesions suggested that blows to the head from hard, round objects caused them - and clay balls of the right size and shape were also found at the site.
More than half of the victims were women (13 women, 10 men). And most of the injuries were on the top or back of their heads, suggesting the victims were not facing their assailants when struck.
(Excerpt) Read more at popular-archaeology.com ...
Why do archeologists always assume violence and fighting?
I’d be more inclined to believe that since they entered and exited through the roof of their structures, sometimes they fell.
On the back of their heads preferentially?
Well, there was a productive stream nearby that flooded regularly both to irrigate and fertilize the soil. Wheat grows naturally there and it is along what became the trade route between the Hittites and Assyrians. It would be similar to asking why the Egyptians build a civilization along the Nile. Answer - easiest place to do it.
Interesting info, thanks!
Thanks-very interesting-yet another archaeological excavation showing that cities had the same problems they have now-and reinforces my decision to not live in one or shop there unless I can’t find the item out here or online...
I wonder why the people who built the dwellings didn’t figure out how to design hallways and ladders/stairs from floor to floor inside the building instead of having to climb down outside...
Common defense -- they were less worried about their neighbors than they were outsiders.
Apparently not.
Drums and smoke signals
I don't know. Were you there? Was anyone there?
And runners.
Was anyone there?
Yes, obviously.
Were you?
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