Çayönü

Çayönü is an important Neolithic settlement located in Southeastern Anatolia, near Diyarbakır, dated between 7200-6600 BCE. Encompassing all phases of the Pre-Pottery Neolithic period, this site reveals the lifestyles and cultural developments of early agricultural communities. It offers strong evidence suggesting it may be one of the earliest sites where the pig (Sus scrofa) was domesticated.

History

Çayönü presents one of the most striking examples of the transition from a hunter-gatherer existence to settled agricultural life in human history. Established around 7200 BCE, this settlement continuously represents all phases of the Pre-Pottery Neolithic A (PPNA) and Pre-Pottery Neolithic B (PPNB) periods. Excavations have shown that Çayönü was inhabited for approximately 600 years, during which it witnessed significant cultural and technological changes. While round-plan huts were observed in the early phases of the settlement, a transition to more complex architectural forms occurred over time, such as rectangular-plan, cell-plan, large-room, and finally, stone-paved courtyard structures. This architectural evolution reflects profound transformations in social organization and lifestyle. The inhabitants of Çayönü developed skills in domesticating wild cereals, taming animals, and constructing permanent dwellings, thus forming a crucial part of the Neolithic Revolution.

Geographic Location

Çayönü is currently situated within the borders of the Ergani district of Diyarbakır province, on the west bank of the Boğazçay, one of the significant tributaries of the Tigris River, in a fertile plain. This strategic geographic location provided the settlement with both easy access to water resources and rich agricultural lands. Its proximity to the Taurus Mountains facilitated access to hunting grounds and raw materials (especially volcanic stones like obsidian). Southeastern Anatolia, where Çayönü is located, lies at the northern edge of the Fertile Crescent, the geographical area where the Neolithic Revolution began. This allowed for cultural interaction with other early Neolithic centers in the region (e.g., Göbeklitepe, Nevalı Çori), enabling the exchange of ideas and technology. Fertile soils and favorable climatic conditions ensured that Çayönü offered an ideal environment for early agricultural experiments.

Significance in Antiquity

Çayönü is one of the pioneering settlements of the Neolithic period, a time in antiquity when urbanization and complex political structures had not yet emerged, but one of the most critical transformations in human history was taking place. Economically, it is a center where plants such as wild wheat, barley, and lentils were first cultivated, thus laying the foundations of agriculture and settled life. The fact that the oldest and strongest evidence for pig domestication comes from Çayönü makes it globally unique for studies of animal domestication. This directly impacted the diversification of food sources and population growth. Politically, while a centralized state structure cannot yet be spoken of, the size and architectural complexity of the settlement suggest the existence of a certain level of social organization and division of labor. From a religious and cultural perspective, the human skeletons, skull cults, and special structures unearthed in excavations indicate that the inhabitants of Çayönü possessed complex belief systems and rituals. In these respects, Çayönü is a key center for understanding the Neolithic Revolution, witnessing one of the first great steps in human history.

Coinage

As Çayönü is a Neolithic settlement dated between 7200-6600 BCE, there is no evidence of coinage during this period. Coinage was invented in Lydia in the 7th century BCE and subsequently spread to the Ancient Greek and Roman worlds. Therefore, the chronological period to which Çayönü belongs predates the emergence of coinage by thousands of years. No coins from this settlement are recorded in the NumisTR database.

Archaeological Remains

Extensive archaeological excavations conducted at Çayönü have revealed rich remains belonging to different phases of the site. Among the most striking findings are different structural layers demonstrating the architectural evolution of the settlement: various dwelling types, ranging from round huts to cell-plan, large-room, and stone-paved courtyard buildings, have been unearthed. Notably, a large, carefully constructed building known as the "Terrazzo Building" suggests it may have been used for communal or ritual purposes. Excavations have yielded tools indicative of agricultural activities such as grinding stones, sickles, and storage pits; arrowheads and spear points demonstrating hunting; and flint tools used in daily life. Furthermore, bone remains related to the domestication process of animals such as pigs, sheep, and goats reinforce Çayönü's significance in this field. Human skeletons and skull assemblages provide valuable information about the funerary rituals and belief systems of the period.

Today

The ancient settlement of Çayönü is currently located near the village of Hilar (Sesverenpınar), which is part of the Ergani district of Diyarbakır province. The area where archaeological excavations have been completed is preserved as an important cultural heritage site. Visitors can witness one of the great transformations in human history by visiting this significant center of the Neolithic period. Access to the region is provided by road from Diyarbakır city center. The site functions as an open-air museum, where the general layout of the excavation area and some structural remains can be seen in situ.