Worthy is the Lamb : a Double Burial at Neolithic Çatalhöyük (Turkey)

Abstract

Neolithic Çatalhöyük (central Anatolia) is well known for its elaborate animal symbolism. However, while sheep are the most abundant animal in the faunal assemblage at the site, they are virtually absent in the art and among the animal parts incorporated into the architecture. Thus it is striking that the first and so far only animal burial found at Çatalhöyük is a lamb placed with a human body, a sharp departure from usual human burial practice at the site. We set this find in the context of other animal burials in the Neolithic Near East, and note that animals included in burials are usually domestic, non-threatening, or young. We explore possible reasons for including this animal and conclude that the relationship between this man and sheep must have been especially strong, but that “pet” is probably an inadequate description.