Micromorphology
by Wendy Matthews
The nature of micromorphological evidence for spatial and temporal variation in occupation sequences and use of space at Çatalhöyük, is discussed in Matthews et al in press, and forthcoming. Results from analysis of samples collected from the uppermost floors in Spaces 70 and 71, Building 1, in 1995 will be discussed in full in 1997, when they will be integrated with the results from the samples collected this year. A brief summary of some of the observations from analysis of samples from 1995 is listed below.
1. The last plaster floor laid in Space 70 Phase 2, includes aggregates of multiple layers of white plaster, from re-use and re-working of earlier structural materials.
2. The thin layer of occupation deposits on the last floor of Phase 2 adjacent to FI 11 includes a layer of retted grass and reed and a charred tapered stick of Celtis/Ulmus. Overlying burnt building aggregates and debris include charred ?lichen.
3. The residual fuel in the oven in Space 70, Phase 3, included 2% siliceous monocotyledons, 10% charred monocotyledons, and 20% charred dicotyledonous wood, some of which was oak.
4. Thin lenses of organic rich deposits accumulated on a series of floors in Space 70, further suggesting this area was used as a food preparation and cooking area. It is hoped that chemical analysis may help in identifying some of the more amorphous organic remains in thin-section. Many of these remains are still highly fluorescent, suggesting phosphorus and organic residues may be present. The highest phosphate reading from samples collected from building 1 in 1995, occurred in Space 70, in front of the oven (Jenkins). Gas chromatographic/ mass spectrometric analyses may be more specific in identifying traces of foodstuffs.
5. Salt and root action has disturbed some of the deposits in Spaces 70 and 71, particularly along the top of more indurate floor and oven plaster surfaces.
Samples from Mellaarts area in 1995, are contributing to distinctions between redeposited room fill, and accumulating midden deposits, and informing on the range of activities represented in discrete single depositional episodes within midden deposits.
1. Redeposited material in Space 106 includes a wide range of heterogeneous aggregates including water laid deposits, midden deposits, trampled occupation deposits, white plaster fragments, a range of mudbrick and plaster fabrics, burnt oven plaster and organic aggregates/omnivore coprolites, imported from a variety of sources for massive infill of a building.
2. Accumulating midden deposits in the east of Space 106 include:
i) floor sweepings with subrounded particles of white soft lime floor plaster and fuel rake-out which includes charred and siliceous dung fragments and melted silica.
ii) highly organic ?food cooking and fuel deposits with large fragments of charred oak and hack berry/elm wood, charred tuber and a convolute fluorescent organic aggregate
iii) an upside down fragment of floor plaster with an layer of organic occupation deposits 0.6mm thick still adhering to the surface. This layer includes fragments of bone, charred plant remains, yellowish-orange organic aggregates, and small ovoid/triangular particles of as yet unknown organic origin.
References
Matthews, W. and Postgate, J.N. with Payne, S., Charles, M.P. and Dobney, K. 1994. The imprint of living in a Mesopotamian city: questions and answers. In Luff, R. and Rowley Conwy, P. (eds.). Whither environmental archaeology? Oxford, Oxbow Books.
Matthews, W., French, C.A.I., Lawrence, T. and Cutler, D.F. 1997. Multiple surfaces: the micromorphology. In I. Hodder (ed.) On the surface: Çatalhöyük 1993-95, 299-340. Cambridge, McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research and British Institute of Archaeology at Ankara