An analysis of modified human teeth at Neolithic Çatalhöyük, Turkey

Abstract

Three apparently modified human teeth found in various contexts at Neolithic Çatalhöyük, Turkey  Radiographic and microscopic analyses confirm intentional modification and extensive usewear in two of the three teeth. Third tooth is less clear.  Two of the three teeth investigated represent first documented examples of artificially modified human teeth in prehistoric Near East  These two teeth were manufactured using the same technical skills/toolkits used to produce other bead types at Çatalhöyük  Confirmed cases derive from non-burial contexts.

Manufacture and use: bone and tooth objects from the Late Bronze Age ‘shaman's grave’ at Przeczyce, Poland

“…The perforations in both pendants were made from both sides-a common practice in the processing of such hard materials (e.g. Haddow et al 2019) (Figure 2).…”

“…The perforations in both pendants were made from both sides—a common practice in the processing of such hard materials (e.g. Haddow et al 2019) (Figure 2).

Figure 2.Traces of manufacture and micro-wear on the wild boar tusk pendants: 1–2) general view; 3) pendant 1: dorsal surface, with sharp perforation edges; 4) pendant 1: ventral surface, with rounded perforation edges; 5) pendant 2: dorsal surface, with sharp perforation edges; 6) pendant 2: ventral surface, with rounded perforation edges (all microphotographs at 6.3×; © M. Diakowski).

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