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Many years ago. About 1000 feet east of a Byzantine settlement. Quite a large tell (or mound) was observed. Located in central Turkeys Konya plain
In 1958, and later again between 1961 and 1965, James Mellaart led an excavation. Over 91 acres in all. And, nearly 70 feet tall too. Some people say 8,000 people may have lived there at one time.

Because of its location and size. It had always had some of the top researchers, scientists and archaeologists studying it
Originally, it was believed to house some 7-8000 inhabitants. Though that number is now significantly lower, around 10%, at one time. The site is still being analyzed today.

The tell had two sides. Each on a side of the Çarşamba river
Carbon dating roughly to a 1000 year difference. The west side is smaller. And, abandoned around the beginning of the chalcolithic period (copper).

The architecture was the beginning of something significant
Buildings were densely clusterd using mud brick. They were arranged around a central courtyard area. Its believed these areas would have had merchants, actors and entertainers too. Gatherings and religious celebrations. Like modern day cities, or resorts. Only 9,000 years ago.

Buildings were wedge shaped or rectangular
It was so advanced, and somewhat crammed in together. They entered through the roofs. There were no windows or ground level doors. Its features were so different yet advanced. Rooms had portions of the walls missing with entry into other spaces. Holes were cut in the walls. Owners could reach or crawl in to additional rooms, and use for storage. It probably helped with bugs and pest. As well, mice, rodents and pest couldn’t jump in. Buildings often had one to three rooms.

Living spaces were smaller
Usually less than 275 square feet. It included an oven, hearth, pit; raised floor, platform, benches and more.

Rooms were kept clean (1)
Archaeologists identified little rubbish. Middens with sewage and food waste were identified outside of the ruins

Over time houses were renewed by partial demolition (2)
Residents built on top of the rubble. Which was how the mound was built up. In as many as 18 layers.

Did you think Turkish settlements like Çatalhöyük are older than 10,000 years?
At Çatalhöyük burials were often found below platforms and benches. They were almost always on the north eastern sides of buildings. Leading the way to Mal’ta-buret‘; and beyond. Perhaps even Beringa. What did you think?

Artwork included paintings with red ochre
Murals, and paintwork images were painted on walls and plaster. They included solid colours, panels, or bands. There were patterns painted as well. Including hand prints, images of humans, aurochs, birds, fauna and human-animal hyrbids. They even found a drawing of a volcanic eruption. NE was the site of Hasan Dagi. That went off around 8500 years ago.

Many mother goddess figures have been found, as well as stamp seals
The seals were used to impress patterns onto clay or pottery. Some of the first brand representations.

Climate change and phases of occupation
Phase of occupation in the east mound happened when the local environment was in the process of changing from humid to dry land conditions. There is evidence that the climate changed considerably during the length of the occupation, including drought periods. The move to the West Mound occurred when there appeared a localized wetter area southeast of the new site.

Four different variations of plants were found
Fruit and nuts: acorn, hackberry, pistachio, almond/plum, and almond;

Pulses: grass pea, chickpea, bitter vetch, pea, lentil;

Cereals: barley (naked 6 row, two row, hulled two row); einkorn (wild and domestic both), emmer, free-threshing wheat, and a “new” wheat, Triticum timopheevi;

Other: flax, mustard seed.

What a site!
Extensive archaeological excavations have been going on here. Now for more than six decades. Provided valuable information about the site’s history, layout, and cultural practices. A world heritage site, this area is of great importance to historians. It offers a unique window into the early stages of human settlement, agriculture, art, and religious practices. It provides insights into the transition from small, mobile communities to larger, settled urban centers. Marking a significant milestone in the development of human civilization. Let’s hear it for the fork mound, or Çatalhöyük.

Citation: 1) Shillito, Lisa-Marie; Matthews, Wendy; Almond, Matthew; Bull, Ian D. (2011). “The microstratigraphy of middens: capturing daily routine in rubbish at Neolithic Çatalhöyük, Turkey” (PDF). Antiquity. 85 (329): 1024–1038. doi:10.1017/S0003598X00068460. S2CID 56433872. Archived (PDF) from the original on 10 October 2022.
2) “Neolithic Site of Çatalhöyük”. UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved 4 January 2020.

Bibliography:

Hodder, Ian (1 January 2008). “A Journey to 9000 years ago” (http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=93856).

Mellaart, James (1967). Catal Huyuk: A Neolithic Town in Anatolia. McGraw-Hill.

(http://www.catalhoyuk.com/sites/default/files/media/pdf/Archive_Report_2008.pdf) Çatalhöyük: Excavations of a Neolithic Anatolian Höyük – Çatalhöyük Archive Report 2008

Renfrew, Colin (2006). “Inception of agriculture and rearing in the Middle East” (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S163106830500134X). Human Palaeontology and prehistory