The Clay World of Çatalhöyük

A revised interpretation of the Neolithic landscape at Çatalhöyük resolves a long-standing paradox: while clay artifacts suggest its importance to early agriculture, the local geology appears hostile due to poor drainage. By treating heavier clay artifacts as direct samples of the surrounding environment, researchers demonstrate that clay's role was far more complex than previously understood. This approach reconciles material culture and landscape views, revealing clay's multifaceted contributions to subsistence practices without conflicting with observed patterns.

Doherty, C. (2020). The Clay World of Çatalhöyük. https://doi.org/10.30861/9781407354224