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The Birth of Civilisation - Cult of the Skull (8800 BC to 6500 BC)

The Histocrat・39 minutes read

The end of the last ice age in the 9th millennium BC led to the development of permanent settlements in the Near East, transitioning from hunter-gatherer to agricultural lifestyles and sparking a population increase. Various settlements in the region experienced significant growth, urbanization, and ritual practices like skull cults, showcasing the evolution of Neolithic societies.

Insights

  • The transition from hunter-gatherer societies to settled agricultural communities in the Near East during the Neolithic period led to population growth and the emergence of mega sites with thousands of inhabitants, showcasing a shift towards urbanized societies.
  • Inter-regional trade networks flourished during the later Pre-Pottery Neolithic, exemplified by sites like Chateau Hoyok exchanging exotic goods such as obsidian, malachite beads, and stone seal stamps, highlighting a complex web of economic interactions and cultural exchange in the region.

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Recent questions

  • How did settlements in the Near East transition from hunter-gatherer lifestyles to agriculture?

    Settlements in the Near East transitioned from hunter-gatherer lifestyles to agriculture due to the end of the last ice age in the 9th millennium BC. This led to the appearance of permanent settlements, initially housing low hundreds of people. The shift to agriculture sparked a population boom, with mega sites emerging by the 7th millennium BC, featuring Neolithic artwork and an international skull cult.

  • What innovations in settlement structure facilitated the growth of larger settlements in the Near East?

    Innovations in settlement structure, such as rectangular houses and mudbrick construction, facilitated the growth of larger settlements in the Near East. These advancements allowed for more efficient and durable housing, supporting the expansion of settlements like Jericho and Mureybit. Long-lived sites like Tell Abu Hureyra and Çayönü also grew in size and number due to these innovations.

  • How did sedentary societies in the Near East transition to farming economies?

    Sedentary societies in the Near East transitioned to farming economies due to increased population growth, leading to the need for agriculture for sustenance. Settlements shifted from nomadic to sedentary lifestyles, with agricultural developments like selective breeding of crops and domestication of animals contributing to increased food production. This transition was essential for the sustainability of growing populations.

  • What were some key features of ritual practices in the later pre-pottery Neolithic in the Near East?

    Ritual practices in the later pre-pottery Neolithic in the Near East included skull veneration, with decorated and painted skulls being a common feature. Burial practices involved placing bodies under floors in ritual and domestic buildings, sometimes in fetal positions. Ritual building behavior evolved, with communal structures becoming more prevalent, showcasing a shift in ritual practices during this period.

  • How did trade networks contribute to the development of settlements like Chateau Hoyok in the Near East?

    Trade networks played a significant role in the development of settlements like Chateau Hoyok in the Near East. Located at a key hub in large-scale trade networks of the later pre-pottery Neolithic, Chateau Hoyok benefited from exchanges of exotic trade goods like baskets, shells, and timber with distant communities. Evidence of obsidian crafting and trade from regions like Cappadocia and Anatolia indicates the interconnectedness of trade networks in the region, supporting the growth and prosperity of settlements like Chateau Hoyok.

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Summary

00:00

Transition from Ice Age to Farming Societies

  • The 9th millennium BC marks the end of the last ice age, leading to the appearance of permanent settlements in the Near East.
  • These settlements, initially housing low hundreds of people, transition from hunter-gatherer lifestyles to agriculture, sparking a population boom.
  • By the 7th millennium BC, mega sites with thousands of inhabitants emerge, featuring Neolithic artwork and an international skull cult.
  • The Natufian period saw semi-permanent settlements and complex exploitation of wild grasses, including early bread and beer making.
  • Around 10,800 BC, a cooling period prompts abandonment of Natufian settlements, transitioning to the earlier Pre-Pottery Neolithic.
  • The Levant, Syria, and Anatolia witness the reemergence of permanent settlements, monumental buildings, and the construction of Göbekli Tepe.
  • The later Pre-Pottery Neolithic, starting around 8800 BC, sees the emergence of urbanized societies dependent on agriculture.
  • Settlements like Jericho and Mureybit expand steadily, with long-lived sites like Tell Abu Hureyra and Çayönü growing in size and number.
  • Innovations in settlement structure, like rectangular houses and mudbrick construction, facilitate the growth of larger settlements.
  • Agricultural developments, including selective breeding of crops and domestication of animals, lead to increased food production and the transition to farming economies.

17:50

Transition from Nomadic to Sedentary Societies in Agriculture

  • Settlements transitioned from nomadic to sedentary due to increased population growth, leading to the need for agriculture for sustenance.
  • Archaeologist Chris Skuray highlights the shift in debate from farming to sedentism in his book "The Human Past."
  • Sedentary societies can revert to nomadic lifestyles, as seen during the Younger Dryas period.
  • The theory suggests that early farming attracted powerful individuals due to increased feasting opportunities, enhancing social status.
  • No single theory fully explains the adoption of agriculture in the Near East.
  • By the 8th millennium BC, populations in the Levant and Anatolia concentrated in mega sites, surpassing normal birth rates.
  • Settlements like Çatalhöyük housed thousands, supported by sheep herding and cereal harvesting.
  • Ritual building behavior evolved in the Near East, with communal structures becoming more prevalent.
  • Nevalı Çori featured ritual buildings with t-shaped pillars, similar to Göbekli Tepe, indicating a shift in ritual practices.
  • Çatalhöyük, a mega site in southern Anatolia, showcased a unique blend of ritual and domestic activities within individual homes, integrating wild animal imagery and elaborate shrines.

34:02

Inter-regional Trade and Ritual Practices at Chateau Hoyok

  • Chateau Hoyok was situated in a region rich in wild cattle, deer, and potential fuel sources.
  • The location of Chateau Hoyok at a key hub in large-scale trade networks of the later pre-pottery Neolithic was beneficial.
  • Evidence at Chateau Hoyok suggests exotic trade goods like baskets, shells, and timber were exchanged with distant communities.
  • Obsidian from Cappadocia, 170 kilometers away, was crafted into blades and mirrors at Chateau Hoyok.
  • Obsidian sourced from Anatolia was found in the southern Levant and southwestern Iran, indicating inter-regional trade networks.
  • Malachite beads from southern Jordan were sought after in the Near East, showcasing a network of inter-regional trade.
  • Stone seal stamps at Chateau Hoyok were used for imprinting designs on cloth, indicating a focus on ownership.
  • Ritual practices in the later pre-pottery Neolithic included skull veneration, with skulls often being decorated and painted.
  • Burial practices involved placing bodies under floors in ritual and domestic buildings, with some bodies in fetal positions.
  • The decline in population at the end of the pre-pottery Neolithic was attributed to factors like land degradation, wealth inequality, and climate change.

51:48

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