Clues of production for the Neolithic Catalhoyuk (central Anatolia) pottery

Abstract

Probable source materials and production technologies of neolithic pottery from Catalhoyuk were studied with micromorphological and archaeometrical methods, seeking to shed light on the established techniques and appropriate source material mixtures used by the inhabitants of the epoch (7500 yr BP) in contrast to the reputed idea of primitiveness of the neolithic pottery. The results revealed the use of reed chaff along with mud brick (sun-dried) fragments that may have been derived from brick-making. The application of the 'slip' represents a novel observation and the intention of the use of a dye that needs further confirmation. The presence of gehlenite and aluminum diopside are considered to be the evidence of reached temperatures of about 800 degrees C and not over with short durations manifested by the presence of calcite. Stress phenomena along with the bent weed fragments may also manifest the practice in shaping of pottery, where the former may also reflect fluctuating firing temperatures. Thus, analytical and micromorphological data obtained herein can provide some guidelines on designating prehistoric Anatolian pottery to the archaeologist and potters working on the subject matter.