Recent archaeological work at Çatalhöyük, a significant Neolithic settlement in central Turkey, is shedding new light on the lives of its ancient inhabitants. The ongoing research, led by Associate Professor Dr. Ali Umut Türkcan of Anadolu University, is investigating the reasons behind the migration from the eastern to the western parts of the settlement.
A notable discovery by Dr. Türkcan's team includes graves from the Byzantine period found within the western mound. These burials, while not directly related to the prehistoric eras of Çatalhöyük, offer valuable information due to their diverse nature. The unearthed graves consist of adobe and stone structures, alongside numerous brick graves, all found in close proximity.
The architectural evolution at Çatalhöyük also provides clues about shifts in social organization. Early layers show crowded, contiguous structures, suggesting a communal living approach. In contrast, later layers reveal differentiated architectural designs, indicating a gradual transformation in social structures over time. This architectural evolution mirrors research suggesting that as communities grew, they may have diversified into more individual households, altering daily life and ritual practices.
On the eastern mound, excavations led by Professor Dr. Arkadiusz Marciniak from the University of Poznań have uncovered groups of structures organized around a central courtyard. Among these is the "Spiritual House," or "House of the Dead," which contained the remains of 20 human skeletons deliberately placed at its base, suggesting ritualistic deposition rather than conventional burial. Further excavations are planned for a large ritual structure featuring patterned walls and 14 platforms.
Çatalhöyük, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers an invaluable window into the development of early human settlements. Recent genetic studies published in 2025 indicate that Çatalhöyük's social organization was initially structured around matrilocality and matrilineality, with households passing from mother to daughter. Research from 2019 highlights the transition between the East and West Mounds around 6000 BC, potentially influenced by socioeconomic developments and climate change.