Jewelry Made of Human Teeth Found In Catalhoyuk, Dating 9,000 Years!
Jewelry pieces made of human teeth were found for the first time in Çatalhöyük, known as one of the oldest settlements in the world.
Jewelry made of human teeth is rare. These molars come from Çatalhöyük in central Turkey, a town that people lived in about 9,000 years ago. Holes were made in them on purpose, so they could hang on a string like beads.
| Site | Çatalhöyük, a Neolithic town on the Konya Plain |
|---|---|
| Age | About 9,000 years |
| Find | Human molars with holes made on purpose |
| Status | UNESCO World Heritage Site |
Researchers found human teeth that seem to be used as jewelry in Çatalhöyük, a Stone Age settlement where excavations are still going on. It was recorded that the molars in Çatalhöyük, which was settled between 7,500 and 5,900 and known as one of the first settlements in the world, were deliberately modified and holes were made on it to put on probably leather strings.
Experts believe that these teeth belonged to elderly people and probably the teeth were treated after death. They also stated that it was proven that these holes were opened deliberately, and that the slippery shine around the teeth might have been caused by contact with people’s skin and / or clothes.
What Was Çatalhöyük?
Çatalhöyük was a Neolithic town on the Konya Plain in central Turkey, made of mudbrick houses built wall to wall, and people lived there for well over a thousand years. There were no streets, so people walked over the roofs and climbed down into their homes by ladder.
The dead stayed close to the family. People buried them in pits under floors of the houses, often below the sleeping platforms. The inside walls were painted with wild bulls, stags and hunting scenes.
Beads of stone and bone are common finds there, so necklaces were nothing new. A human tooth on a necklace was.
Çatalhöyük is number three on my list of the top 10 archaeological attractions of Turkey. For something even older, read about Göbeklitepe, or about the Neolithic village of Çukuriçi Mound nearby Ephesus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Çatalhöyük?
It is southeast of the city of Konya, in central Turkey. The site has two mounds, the East Mound, about 20 meters high, and the smaller West Mound.
Who lived in Çatalhöyük?
Early farmers and hunters. They grew wheat and peas, raised sheep and goats, and still hunted wild animals. They also made tools of obsidian, a volcanic glass, and traded it.
Can you visit Çatalhöyük?
Yes. Large shelters cover parts of the East Mound and a walking path goes around them. There is also a visitor center and a few replica houses, so you can see how the rooms looked inside.
