Çatalhöyük west mound

Çatalhöyük West Mound is an important archaeological site located to the west of the East Mound, the famous Neolithic settlement. It was settled at a later date than the East Mound but exhibits a longer period of occupation. Dating approximately between 5900-5600 BCE, this mound reflects the typical characteristics of the Early Chalcolithic period, offering critical data for understanding the transition process from the Neolithic to the Chalcolithic.

History

Settlement at Çatalhöyük West Mound began around 5900 BCE, following the cessation of intensive Neolithic life at the East Mound. This is noteworthy as it demonstrates the dynamics and temporal shifts of human settlement in the region. The West Mound stands out as a settlement primarily focused on the Early Chalcolithic period and, unlike the East Mound, has a less stratified but longer occupation history. Life here continued until approximately 5600 BCE. The structures and finds at the West Mound bear the traces of the transition from the lifestyles of Neolithic communities to new architectural, ceramic, and social organization forms characteristic of the Chalcolithic period. This transitional process represents a phase where agriculture and animal husbandry further developed, and settlement plans and material usage diversified. The West Mound plays a key role in understanding this significant cultural transformation.

Geographic Location

Çatalhöyük West Mound is situated within the borders of modern-day Konya Province, approximately 11 km northeast of the Çumra district, on the fertile plains of the Konya Plain. The mound is located near the ancient beds of the Çarşamba River, one of the region's important water sources, which provided favorable conditions for agriculture and animal husbandry. Its immediate proximity to the west of the East Mound suggests a relationship between the two settlements. The generally flat and expansive plain structure of the region offered the settlement both a sheltered environment and easy access to surrounding natural resources (water, game animals, raw materials). This strategic location enabled the inhabitants of the West Mound to diversify their livelihoods and potentially interact with other regions.

Significance in Antiquity

Çatalhöyük West Mound holds great significance in antiquity, particularly for representing the transition process from the Neolithic to the Chalcolithic. Economically, the development of agriculture and animal husbandry, facilitated by the region's fertile lands, formed the foundation of this settlement. Its inhabitants specialized in grain production and animal rearing, which ensured the community's prosperity. Politically, as city-states or centralized forms of governance had not yet emerged in the Early Chalcolithic period, the West Mound can be regarded more as a village or town community where social hierarchy and division of labor developed. Regarding religious and ritual practices, it has not yet been fully clarified whether complex symbolisms and wall paintings, similar to those in the East Mound, existed; however, the presence of certain rituals and cult practices within the general belief systems of the period is probable. The West Mound serves as a unique laboratory for the scientific community, demonstrating the dynamics of cultural continuity and change among early Anatolian settlements.

Coinage

No coins from this settlement are recorded in the NumisTR database. The Early Chalcolithic period (5900-5600 BCE), during which Çatalhöyük West Mound was inhabited, predates the invention of coinage, with a barter economy being prevalent. Therefore, no minting activity is expected at any settlement during this period.

Archaeological Remains

Archaeological excavations at Çatalhöyük West Mound have revealed rich cultural layers dating to the Early Chalcolithic period. The excavations have uncovered remains of rectangular mud-brick houses, hearths, ovens, and storage areas, indicative of daily life. While there isn't the same dense superposition of structures as in the East Mound, the architectural remains at the West Mound provide important information about the building techniques and settlement layout of the period. Furthermore, pottery made from fired clay, stone tools, and everyday objects and ornaments crafted from materials such as bone and obsidian have been recovered. These finds offer valuable data regarding the lifestyles, craft skills, and technological level of the West Mound inhabitants.

Today

Today, Çatalhöyük West Mound is preserved as part of the Çatalhöyük Archaeological Site, a UNESCO World Heritage site, located within the borders of the Çumra district of Konya Province. Although it does not possess as comprehensive a tourist infrastructure as the East Mound, the West Mound is also accessible for visits as part of ongoing archaeological research and conservation efforts. Access is possible by road from Konya city center or Çumra. The mound continues to be an important center where scientific studies are conducted to understand the transition from the Neolithic to the Chalcolithic, both for Turkish and world archaeology.