Catal Huyuk

Inside a room dedicated to the Bull God

Drawings in the Bull Room

No longer nomadic, these Neolithic city dwellers could protect and care for the spirits of their dead: many skeletons were found under the floors of their living rooms! The oldest known cloth in the world, a piece of a shroud, was found here in one of these graves. Religion was important, and many figures of the mother goddess (the earth goddess) were found.

Mother goddess seated between two leopards. From Catal Huyuk c BC

Archaeologists are still working on Catal Huyuk

Keeping in mind that writing was still another 2700 years away from being developed, it is truly breathtaking that a map with such clear symbolism could ever have been drawn at a time widely considered to be primitive and inexpressive.

One of the world's first mirrors made from obsidian (black glass from lava) found at Catal Huyuk

Carving found on a wall

Recreation of a room

Jewelry

Dagger

Artwork