"But some were more equal than others:" Exploring inequality at Neolithic Çatalhöyük

Area of Science:

• Archaeology
• Social Anthropology
• Economic History

Background:

• Neolithic Çatalhöyük provides a unique window into early agropastoral societies.
• Understanding social differentiation and inequality is key to interpreting past human societies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate patterns of social and economic inequality among residents of Neolithic Çatalhöyük.
• To assess inequality across different buildings, abandonment contexts, and through time.

Main Methods:

• Integration of multiple datasets (e.g., artifact distribution, faunal and floral remains).
• Quantitative analysis using Gini coefficients for comparability.
• Comparative analysis of inequality trajectories across different data types.

Main Results:

• Broadly similar access to staple foods, but differential access to non-essential goods.
• A peak in income inequality during the middle occupation phase, possibly mitigated.
• No evidence for institutionalized or enduring economic or social stratification.

Conclusions:

• Neolithic social dynamics at Çatalhöyük were complex and not characterized by a single, unified inequality trajectory.
• Early agropastoralism had varied social ramifications, with some leveling mechanisms potentially in play.
• Findings contribute to broader discussions on the emergence and nature of inequality in early complex societies.