Articulate Bodies: Forms and Figures at Çatalhöyük

Abstract

This paper examines the materializing practices of bodies at the Neolithic site of Çatalhöyük. We focus on the clay and stone figurine corpus (over 1,800 total, with over 1,000 of those being diagnostic), but also consider other media such as wall paintings and sculptured features, as well as the skeletal evidence. This paper is the first attempt to analyze particular bodily characteristics in the Çatalhöyük figurine repertoire from a perspective that investigates, rather than assumes, a priori the representational priorities of their makers. Within a wide range of anthropomorphic and abbreviated figurines, we find that specific areas such as the stomach and buttocks were often clearly delineated and emphasized, whereas demarcation of primary sexual characteristics was typically downplayed. These traits and their material "prominence" might underscore specific bodily areas that have generally been overlooked as potential sites of articulation and attention. Our work challenges older assumptions that figurines were always engaged in projects of either deification or self-making. Instead, we suggest that these body types might mediate other kinds of social concerns and practices.

Neolithic anthropocentrism: the principles of imagery and symbolic manifestation of corporeality in the Balkans

“…Regarding a case study of sexually determined miniatures, statistical data on published figurines unearthed in the Republic of Macedonia confirm that the production of female miniatures was predominant (Naumov 2009a.49). In contrast, the research on the complete figurine repertoire from Çatal Höyük demonstrates the abundance of asexual representations (Nakamura and Meskell 2009), which should also be tested with further case studies on each Neolithic settlement in the Balkans.…”

“…Regarding a case study of sexually determined miniatures, statistical data on published figurines unearthed in the Republic of Macedonia confirm that the production of female miniatures was predominant (Naumov 2009a.49). In contrast, the research on the complete figurine repertoire from Çatal Höyük demonstrates the abundance of asexual representations (Nakamura and Meskell 2009), which should also be tested with further case studies on each Neolithic settlement in the Balkans.The affinity for female representations in the Balkans specify several social and symbolic aspects incorporated within the production, employment and significance of these artifacts. Their sculptural treatment (including modeling and decoration) points to data which explicate the social status of certain individuals within Neolithic communities, as well as their symbolic character in rites of passage (Talalay 1993).…”

Exploring Past Ontologies: Bodies, Jugs and Figurines from the Phoenician-Punic Western Mediterranean

“…Another explanation of genitalia in cross-gender and fluid terms which goes beyond the reductionist association of genitalia-fertility-women might involve the concept of maturity (Nakamura & Meskell 2009). The interest in showing the genitalia as well as breasts and navels might be connected to the encoding of a certain age.…”

Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis and dietary reconstruction through the life course at Neolithic Çatalhöyük, Turkey

“…The walls of these buildings were frequently decorated on the inside with elaborate wall paintings, plastered reliefs and bucrania (Mellaart, , 1964(Mellaart, , 1966. A large number of figurines feature in the material culture, including those of corpulent individuals, which were first interpreted as evidence for the existence of a Mother Goddess cult (Gimbutas, 1989;Mellaart, 1967) but are now thought to emphasise age, maturity and accumulation rather than gender (Nakamura and Meskell, 2009), a pattern also observed in the selection of grave goods that accompanied the dead (Nakamura and Meskell, 2013).…”