Hearth and home. Interpreting fire installations at Arslantepe, Eastern Turkey, from the fourth to the beginning of the second millennium BCE

Arslantepe Mound, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Eastern Turkey, offers a unique window into the social and economic evolution of ancient Anatolia from 4200 to 1750 BCE. This study reveals that fire installations and culinary practices at Arslantepe were not merely functional but also served as markers of identity, reflecting social hierarchies, familial economies, and cultural shifts over nearly 2500 years. By analyzing the typology and spatial distribution of hearths and cooking tools, researchers identified patterns that correlate with significant historical transitions—from the emergence of state structures to their collapse, followed by the rise of semi-nomadic pastoral communities and small agricultural villages. The findings suggest that culinary practices were deeply intertwined with social organization, economic strategies, and cultural identity, providing a nuanced understanding of how ancient societies adapted to changing circumstances.

Balossi, F. (2015). Hearth and home. Interpreting fire installations at Arslantepe, Eastern Turkey, from the fourth to the beginning of the second millennium BCE. Paléorient, 41(1), 127–151. https://doi.org/10.3406/paleo.2015.5659