Catalhoyuk South Area Midden Trench 5 — Western Terrace
Pre-Pottery Neolithic (7400-6000 BCE)·Anatolian Neolithic·🇹🇷 Central Anatolia, Konya, Turkey
About
About Catalhoyuk South Area Midden Trench 5 — Western Terrace
Catalhoyuk South Area Midden Trench 5 — Western Terrace in Central Anatolia, Konya, Turkey is a Pre-Pottery Neolithic (7400-6000 BCE) ancient village attributed to Anatolian Neolithic. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal necropolis 3 × 3 m and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 37.6527N 32.8141E controls access to Central Anatolia, Konya resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey ancient-village for Central Anatolia, Konya, illustrating Anatolian Neolithic construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Nature of burial rites and population
- 02Landscape function
Theories
- 01Ancestral burial reuse over centuries
- 02Astronomical alignment hypothesis
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 7100 BCE
- Period
- Pre-Pottery Neolithic (7400-6000 BCE)
- Culture
- Anatolian Neolithic
- Purpose
- Settlement with domestic structures and ancillary ritual space
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c. 7100 BCE
Initial construction of Catalhoyuk South Area Midden Trench 5 — Western Terrace main structure
c. 822 BCE
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically at Catalhoyuk South Area Midden Trench 5 — Western Terrace
19th–20th century
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Catalhoyuk South Area Midden Trench 5 — Western Terrace) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
37.6527° N · 32.8141° E · 1025 m · 3 mapped features
- Catalhoyuk South Area Midden Trench 5 — Western Terrace — Main Ancient-Village FeaturetemplePrimary temple at Catalhoyuk South Area Midden Trench 5 — Western Terrace — central chambered cairn with stratified deposits37.6519° N · 32.8121° E
- Catalhoyuk South Area Midden Trench 5 — Western Terrace — Secondary EnclosurechamberAncillary chamber at Catalhoyuk South Area Midden Trench 5 — Western Terrace — burial gallery with stratified deposits37.6533° N · 32.8139° E
- Catalhoyuk South Area Midden Trench 5 — Western Terrace — Outlier Rock Art PanelcairnOutlier cairn panel linked to Catalhoyuk South Area Midden Trench 5 — Western Terrace ceremonial landscape37.6512° N · 32.8152° E