Plant Food Processing Tools at Early Neolithic Göbekli Tepe

Archaeological research at Göbekli Tepe, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the oldest known megalithic structures (9600–8000 BC), reveals that plant food processing was dominated by porridges made from cereals, legumes, and herbs, with beer being a significant beverage. Unlike later Neolithic periods, bread-like foods were less common. The study, based on the largest corpus of grinding and pounding tools (over 7000 objects) from Upper Mesopotamia, used functional analyses—including use-wear and residue studies—to reconstruct food preparation techniques. Findings indicate that cooking occurred near monumental buildings, suggesting feasting alongside daily meals, challenging previous assumptions about subsistence practices in Pre-Pottery Neolithic societies.

Dietrich, L. (2021). Plant Food Processing Tools at Early Neolithic Göbekli Tepe. https://doi.org/10.2307/jj.15135970