Investigating the function of Pre-Pottery Neolithic stone troughs from Göbekli Tepe – An integrated approach

Stone troughs at Göbekli Tepe, the world's oldest known megalithic site, were used for cooking cereals, according to an integrated analysis combining contextual, use-wear, scientific, and experimental methods. The study examined around 600 fragmentary vessels, including large limestone troughs (up to 165 liters), coarsely made limestone vessels, finely executed platters, and 'greenstone' vessels. Findings suggest these troughs were central to early Neolithic food processing, providing new insights into the site's functional role beyond its ceremonial significance.

Dietrich, L., Götting-Martin, E., Hertzog, J., Schmitt-Kopplin, P., McGovern, P. E., Hall, G. R., Petersen, W. C., Zarnkow, M., Hutzler, M., Jacob, F., Ullman, C., Notroff, J., Ulbrich, M., Flöter, E., Heeb, J., Meister, J., & Dietrich, O. (2020). Investigating the function of Pre-Pottery Neolithic stone troughs from Göbekli Tepe – An integrated approach. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 34, 102618. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2020.102618