TEPECİK-ÇİFTLİK NEOLİTİK TOPLULUĞUNDA ÖLÜM UYGULAMALARININ İNCELENMESİ

Abstract

The Neolithic period is a stage in which the human relationship with nature was reshaped differently, livelihood strategies changed and social changes were experienced within communities. Rituals maintain order in society and play an important role in social transformations during the Neolithic. Although the remains of rituals are difficult to trace, mortuary practices provide evidence. These evidences dating to the Neolithic period in Southwest Asia provide a source for understanding the changes in social structure and the differentiation in individual processes about death with the Neolithic transformation.

Most studies on Neolithic mortality practices in Anatolia lack a holistic approach and terminology for mortuary practices. This thesis focuses on the Neolithic mortuary practices at Tepecik-Çiftlik in Central Anatolia, compares them with the contemporary settlements in Central Anatolia, and aims to provide Turkish terms for mortuary practices terminology in Turkish.

The data dated to the 7th millennium BC obtained from the Tepecik-Çiftlik Excavation Archive and Tepecik-Çiftlik Digital Bioarchaeological Archive were used based on ten parameters of mortality practices (Burial type, Burial position, Burial direction, Burial side, Burial location, Burial way, Burial form, Practices related with Skull cult, Burial object and Using reed tissue). The Chi-Square test was used to analyse the relationship between these parameters and age-sex. Accordingly, it is possible to conclude that Tepecik-Çiftlik buried their dead in the form of earth graves in hocker position in open areas within the settlement. Although it can be observed there are continuity and change between the levels, especially the Skull cult practices. It is seen that Tepecik-Çiftlik is similar to the contemporary settlements in Central Anatolia in terms of behaviours related to mortuary practices, but differentiates in terms of settlement-specific behaviours. Further studies are needed for more generalised interpretations.