Animal Figurines from Neolithic Çatalhöyük: Figural and Faunal Perspectives

Neolithic Çatalhöyük's animal figurines, predominantly found in midden contexts, suggest practical use rather than intentional breakage. A sub-study of 104 relatively complete quadruped figurines reveals that while they exhibit wide morphological variation, there is a clear consistency in depiction within 'taxon' groups, implying an intention for recognition over extensive time periods. The figurines also show careful attention to specific body parts like heads, horns, and tails, indicating a hierarchy in representation. Additionally, the study found that figurine makers were adept at expressing different forms of the same animal type, including adults and juveniles, removable features, and movement. When viewed alongside faunal remains and other animal portrayals, these figurines likely played roles in everyday activities such as animal exchange, herding, management, hunting, and tracking, reflecting aspects of human–animal engagements not witnessed by other archaeological finds.

Martin, L., & Meskell, L. (2012). Animal Figurines from Neolithic Çatalhöyük: Figural and Faunal Perspectives. Cambridge Archaeological Journal, 22(3), 401–419. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0959774312000479