Dynamic Houses and Communities at Çatalhöyük: A Building Biography Approach to Prehistoric Social Structure

A groundbreaking study challenges traditional views of prehistoric social structures by revealing that Neolithic houses at Çatalhöyük, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Central Turkey, were not static entities but dynamic spaces reflecting fluid social interactions. By analyzing the life-histories of four contemporary houses using fine stratigraphy, researchers traced changes in furnishings, burials, and spatial use, demonstrating that commensal groups were less stable and less tied to specific houses than previously assumed. This 'building biography' approach highlights unpredictable social collaborations within larger communities, suggesting a more dynamic model for understanding prehistoric societies in the Near East.

Kay, K. (2020). Dynamic Houses and Communities at Çatalhöyük: A Building Biography Approach to Prehistoric Social Structure. Cambridge Archaeological Journal, 30(3), 451–468. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0959774320000037