Location: South Central Turkey
Catalhoyuk
The Facts:
Location: South – Central Turkey
Fertile Crescent
Size: 32 acres
Time it thrived: 3,000 B.C.E
Population: 5,000 to 6,000 people
About:
In 1958 archaeologists discovered the Catalhoyuk in Turkey. A geological investigation showed that villagers would have had to battle the elements: floods, fires, and drought. Archaeologists discovered rectangular shaped houses made of mud brick arranged like honey-comb apartments. This showed archaeologists that the builders had a strategic plan for the layout of the village before they began construction.
Plant fossil evidence shows that the area was comprised of of rich, fertile soil, which allowed for the production of wheat, barley, and peas. Fossil evidence of these plants was found in the dig site. Animal fossil evidence shows that the villagers raised sheep and cattle.
Among the artifacts uncovered at the site, fragments of pottery, and potters wheels were found. Archaeologists also uncovered a vast amount of obsidian, which is volcanic rock which looks like glass. It is used in mirrors, jewelry, and knives. Fragments of these items were found among the ruins of the city. This was a precious commodity because it was very highly valued among many civilizations.
Religious shrines have also been found dedicated to a mother goddess, who controlled the supply of grain.
Aleppo and Jericho
The Facts:
Location: Aleppo - Northern Syria
Jericho - West Bank of Palestine
(Both in the “Fertile Crescent”)
Size: 32 acres
Time it thrived: 10,000 – 9,000 B.C.E
Population: 5,000 to 6,000 people
About:
These cities are believed to be two of the birth cities of the Neolithic Revolution. The ancient name of Aleppo was Halab, meaning “iron” or “copper.” It was one of the earliest Neolithic cities in the Middle East. Little archaeological research has been done into the city because a new and a modern city now sits on top of the ancient site. Archaeologists do know that it was conquered by the Hittites, and remained under their control until 800 B.C.E. It was then conquered by the Assyrians, and later was assimilated into the Persian Empire.
Neolithic Aleppo was a Jewish city. It is believed that the Jewish prophet, Abraham once lived among the people of the city, based on information written in the Torah and Old Testament of the Bible. Archeologists have found artifact evidence of iron and copper tools, weapons, and jewelry.
Like Aleppo, Jericho is a difficult city for Archaeologists to uncover because a modern city now sits on top of the ancient one. However, scientists have unearthed the remains of more than 20 successive settlements in Jericho, the first of which dates back to 9000 BCE.
At Jericho, Archaeologists have found circular homes built of clay and straw bricks left to dry in the sun, plastered together with a mud mortar. Each house was roofed with mud-smeared brush, like straw. Hearths (Fire places) were located within and outside the homes. This shows planning to build similar homes within the community, which shows evidence of job specialization.
The most striking aspect of this early town was a massive stone wall over 9 meters high, and 4 meters wide at the base. Inside this wall was a tower over 9 meters high, containing an internal staircase with 22 stone steps. The wall and tower were unprecedented in human history, and would have taken a hundred men more than a hundred days to construct. The wall may have been a defense against flood water with the tower used for ceremonial purposes. Being made famous by accounts found in the Old Testament of the Bible and the Torah, the “walls of Jericho” were thought to be something of legend, until they were uncovered by archaeologists. This was a defining feature that helped archaeologists determine that they had found the ancient city of Jericho.
Stonehenge
Location: Wiltshire, England
Size: 1,649 feet diameter
Time it thrived: 3,000-2,000 B.C.E
Population: 4,000
About:
The significance of Stonehenge has fascinated historians for centuries. Originally, archeologists had no idea what the strange sight had been used for or who built it. There is a circular burial mound that surrounds the entire site. The site is made up of 50 “pi” shaped, mega, 40 ton sandstones arranged in circular pattern. The site also has 43 4-ton smaller bluestone slabs placed in an inner circle, inside of the larger stones. It has been unclear how ancient man was able to lift the gigantic stones into place. Both types of stones come from over 50 miles away.
Through years of excavation and exploration, archaeologists believe that they have better understanding of the function of the Neolithic sight. Stonehenge evolved in several construction phases spanning at least 1,500 years. There is evidence of large-scale construction on and around the monument that perhaps extends the landscape's time frame to 6,500 years. Archaeologists have found 50,000 cremated bones of 63 individuals buried at Stonehenge, helping them to understand that this site was once used for burial practices. Through carbon dating, archaeologists have determined that about 5,000 years ago, Neolithic Britons constructed a 110-meter-diameter circular ditch and earthen mound with an inner circle of wooden posts. About 500 years later, they started work on the 30-meter-diameter stone monument that partially remains today. Remains of the old wooden monument can still be found underneath the now famous “pi” stones.
Two miles north-east of Stonehenge is a settlement called Durrington Walls. Excavation has revealed a settlement of 1,000 homes, which supported a population of 4,000 poeple. This is the largest Neolithic settlement found. Analysis of animal teeth found at Durrington Walls suggests that the site was used as a gathering site for the mid-winter and mid-summer festivals; the evidence showed that the animals had been slaughtered around 9 months or 15 months after their spring birth. This helps archaeologists understand that the sight may have also been used for festivals, which may or may not have had a religious purpose, to welcome the changing growing seasons. Further evidence suggesting that the site was used to mark the solstice is the discovery that the stone at the north-east entrance has an opening which “captures” the rays of the rising sun during the summer solstice and setting sun during the winter solstice.
UR in Sumer
The Facts:
Location: Sumer, Iraq
Size:
Time it thrived: 3,000 B.C.E.
Population: 30,000 people
Ur was discovered in 1922 by archeologist Leonard Woolley. Ur had well defined social classes, rulers, and merchants. Archaeologists have found evidence of a large-scale irrigation system to bring water into the city from a reservoir a mile away. Archeologists have uncovered ditches dug into the mud for the transportation of this water.
Ur was a trading civilization. Archaeologists have found artifact evidence of bronze tools, jewelry, and household goods. Money had not been “invented”; however archeologists have found evidence of pottery, jugs, and fossil evidence of grain not native to the area. This suggests that the city was a trading city.
There was a very organized religion in Ur. Remains of a large temple have been found at the center of the city. It was shaped like a pyramid, and is known as a ziggurat, meaning “mountain of a God”. The ruins show evidence of a massive, multi-tiered structure. At the peak the priests conducted rituals to worship the gods. Fossil evidence of animal bones suggests that sacrifices of animals were often done at the top of the ziggurat.
Many of the houses found at the site were small square buildings with one story and no windows. Although, some two story houses built around elaborate court yards were found. This evidence shows a high degree of social stratification
Archeologists have been lucky to find some of the earliest written records in Ur. It is believed that Ur had an extensive trading network, which made it necessary to keep records of transactions. The earliest language, cuneiform, was uncovered in the archeological digs. Sumerians in Ur also invented a system of numbers based on 60, 180, and 360. We still use these concepts today when calculating hours and circles, and our calendar.