A New Society Emerges in Anatolia: Bioarcheological Perspectives on the Late Neolithic and Early Chalcolithic Population of the Gökhöyük (GH)

Abstract

Gökhöyük (GH), dates to the Late Neolithic and Early Chalcolithic periods, is situated in proximity to other significant tells, such as Çatalhöyük (CH), which holds a prominent place in global archaeological discourse. This study provides a crucial glimpse into the lives of GH's earliest inhabitants through the analysis of their skeletal remains. The research was structured around three primary objectives. First, it aimed to conduct a qualitative assessment of pathologies present in the GH population based on paleopathological findings. Second, it sought to uncover aspects of daily life within the settlement and offer insights into its subsistence economy. Lastly, the study endeavored to contribute to the development of bioarcheological methodologies and comparative analyses of contemporaneous Late Neolithic and Early Chalcolithic settlements in Anatolia. The minimum number of individuals identified within the community was established at 37. The presence of various degenerative joint disorders, metabolic conditions, and periostitis was documented. Findings suggest that the GH population subsisted primarily on a carbohydrate-rich diet, intricately linked to a socioeconomic framework dominated by pastoralism and agricultural activities.