An investigation of mortuary practices in the Tepecik-Çiftlik Neolithic society

The Neolithic period is a stage in which the human relationship with nature was reshaped in a different way, livelihood strategies changed and social changes were experienced within communities. Rituals have the function of maintaining order for the society and play an important role in social transformations during the Neolithic. Although remains of rituals are difficult to trace, mortuary practices provides evidences. These evidence dating to the Neolithic period in Southwest Asia provide a source for understanding the changes in social structure and the differentiation in individual processes about death with the Neolithic transformation. Most of the studies on Neolithic mortality practices in Anatolia lack of a holistic approach and mortuary practices terminology. This thesis focuses on the Neolithic mortuary practices at Tepecik-Çiftlik in Central Anatolia, compares them with the contemporary settlements in Central Anatolia, and aims to provide Turkish terms for mortuary practices terminology in Turkish. The data dated to the 7th millennium BC obtained from the Tepecik-Çiftlik Excavation Archive and Tepecik-Çiftlik Digital Bioarchaeological Archive were used on the basis of ten parameters of mortality practices (Burial type, Burial position, Burial direction, Burial side, Burial location, Burial way, Burial form, Practices related with Skull cult, Burial object and Using reed tissue). Chi Square test was used to analyse the relationship between these parameters and age-sex. Accordingly, it is possible to conclude that Tepecik-Çiftlik buried their dead in the form of earth graves in hocker position in open areas within the settlement. Although in can be observed there are continuity and change together between the levels, especially the Skull cult practices. It is seen that Tepecik-Çiftlik is basically similar to the contemporary settlements in Central Anatolia in terms of behaviours related to mortuary practices, but differentiates in terms of settlement specific behaviours. Further studies are needed for more generalised interpretations. Keywords Neolithic Period, Central Anatolia, Mortuary Practices, Tepecik-Çiftlik, Ritual, Burial, Skull Cult.