Interpreting mortuary treatment from histological bone diagenesis: A case study from Neolithic catalhoyuk

This study examines the evidence for differential mortuary practices at the Neolithic site of catalhoyuk, in Anatolia, Turkey, using the histological examination of bacterial microbioerosion in archaeological human bone. In order to analyse bacterial microbioerosion, thin sections were prepared from the midshaft of thoracic ribs 6-8, ofn= 162 individuals (adults and juveniles) and analysed using qualitative analysis of microscopic focal destructive changes with polarized light microscopy. The extent of destructive change was assessed, and the degree of preservation was examined using the Oxford Histological Index. Individual, in situ interment was assessed using burial and skeletal data. Results show no differences in histological bacterial microbioerosion between male and female burials, but histological preservation was seen to differ between juveniles and adults, findings that are interpreted as the result of differential mortuary practices at the time of death. The challenges and potential of examining recurring taphonomic signatures in bone histology and their relationship to differential burial practices are discussed.

Automated summary

This study investigates the evidence for differential mortuary practices at the Neolithic site of Catalhoyuk in Anatolia, Turkey, using histological examination of bacterial microbioerosion in archaeological human bone. The results suggest differences in histological preservation between juveniles and adults, indicating the presence of distinct burial practices at the time of death. This study highlights the challenges and potentials of analyzing recurring taphonomic signatures in bone histology.