Multi-Proxy Approach to Archaeological Dung Research: New Evidence from Aceramic Neolithic Site of Aşıklı Höyük, Central Anatolia
Dung is one of the most important research areas of interdisciplinary studies, which can provide insights into the lives of past communities, environmental conditions, and human–animal interactions. In archaeological contexts, animal dung cannot be identified macroscopically in most cases. Hence, ne...
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Istanbul University Press
2021-09-01
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| Series: | Anadolu Araştırmaları |
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| Online Access: | https://cdn.istanbul.edu.tr/file/JTA6CLJ8T5/8A929D6A45D34A549365DBE51F8D137B |
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| author | Melis Uzdurum Güneş Duru |
| author_facet | Melis Uzdurum Güneş Duru |
| author_sort | Melis Uzdurum |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Dung is one of the most important research areas of interdisciplinary studies, which can provide insights into the lives of past communities, environmental conditions, and human–animal interactions. In archaeological contexts, animal dung cannot be identified macroscopically in most cases. Hence, new methods and approaches focusing on ways to describe the micro-markers of dung have increased and diversified over the last decade. This study used a multi-proxy approach focusing on analytical methods to identify the markers of animal dung in prehistoric construction materials. Micromorphology/thin section analysis, and calciumcarbonate (CaCO3), carbon (C), and nitrogen (N) analyses were carried out on mudbricks and mortar from the Aceramic Neolithic site of Aşıklı Höyük. Thin section analysis suggested that fecal spherulites are one of the most important proxies of archaeological dung. Nitrogen is the other indicator of animal dung. The results showed that the Aşıklı inhabitants did not abandon mudbricks in their architectural needs for decades and used animal dung as a temper in mudbricks and mortar. Throughout the centuries of occupation at the site, the use of animal dung as a temper changed both diachronically and spatially, particularly with the establishment of settled village life at Aşıklı Höyük. In conclusion, this study suggests that the limits of knowledge of archaeological dung can be expanded using a multi-proxy methodological approach. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-398e949a652a48b2b9948775be241f0d |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2667-629X |
| language | deu |
| publishDate | 2021-09-01 |
| publisher | Istanbul University Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Anadolu Araştırmaları |
| spelling | doaj-art-398e949a652a48b2b9948775be241f0d2025-08-20T02:13:51ZdeuIstanbul University PressAnadolu Araştırmaları2667-629X2021-09-0124336610.26650/anar.2021.24.914913123456Multi-Proxy Approach to Archaeological Dung Research: New Evidence from Aceramic Neolithic Site of Aşıklı Höyük, Central AnatoliaMelis Uzdurum0Güneş Duru1https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1870-0120Ondokuz Mayıs Üniversitesi, Samsun, TurkiyeMimar Sinan Güzel Sanatlar Üniversitesi, İstanbul, TürkiyeDung is one of the most important research areas of interdisciplinary studies, which can provide insights into the lives of past communities, environmental conditions, and human–animal interactions. In archaeological contexts, animal dung cannot be identified macroscopically in most cases. Hence, new methods and approaches focusing on ways to describe the micro-markers of dung have increased and diversified over the last decade. This study used a multi-proxy approach focusing on analytical methods to identify the markers of animal dung in prehistoric construction materials. Micromorphology/thin section analysis, and calciumcarbonate (CaCO3), carbon (C), and nitrogen (N) analyses were carried out on mudbricks and mortar from the Aceramic Neolithic site of Aşıklı Höyük. Thin section analysis suggested that fecal spherulites are one of the most important proxies of archaeological dung. Nitrogen is the other indicator of animal dung. The results showed that the Aşıklı inhabitants did not abandon mudbricks in their architectural needs for decades and used animal dung as a temper in mudbricks and mortar. Throughout the centuries of occupation at the site, the use of animal dung as a temper changed both diachronically and spatially, particularly with the establishment of settled village life at Aşıklı Höyük. In conclusion, this study suggests that the limits of knowledge of archaeological dung can be expanded using a multi-proxy methodological approach.https://cdn.istanbul.edu.tr/file/JTA6CLJ8T5/8A929D6A45D34A549365DBE51F8D137Bprehistoryconstruction materialmudbrickmicromorphologynitrogen |
| spellingShingle | Melis Uzdurum Güneş Duru Multi-Proxy Approach to Archaeological Dung Research: New Evidence from Aceramic Neolithic Site of Aşıklı Höyük, Central Anatolia Anadolu Araştırmaları prehistory construction material mudbrick micromorphology nitrogen |
| title | Multi-Proxy Approach to Archaeological Dung Research: New Evidence from Aceramic Neolithic Site of Aşıklı Höyük, Central Anatolia |
| title_full | Multi-Proxy Approach to Archaeological Dung Research: New Evidence from Aceramic Neolithic Site of Aşıklı Höyük, Central Anatolia |
| title_fullStr | Multi-Proxy Approach to Archaeological Dung Research: New Evidence from Aceramic Neolithic Site of Aşıklı Höyük, Central Anatolia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Multi-Proxy Approach to Archaeological Dung Research: New Evidence from Aceramic Neolithic Site of Aşıklı Höyük, Central Anatolia |
| title_short | Multi-Proxy Approach to Archaeological Dung Research: New Evidence from Aceramic Neolithic Site of Aşıklı Höyük, Central Anatolia |
| title_sort | multi proxy approach to archaeological dung research new evidence from aceramic neolithic site of asikli hoyuk central anatolia |
| topic | prehistory construction material mudbrick micromorphology nitrogen |
| url | https://cdn.istanbul.edu.tr/file/JTA6CLJ8T5/8A929D6A45D34A549365DBE51F8D137B |
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