A stable isotope and functional weed ecology investigation into Chalcolithic cultivation practices in Central Anatolia: Çatalhöyük, Çamlıbel Tarlası and Kuruçay

The integration of stable isotope analysis crop remains with the ecological archaeological weed flora allows for a detailed reconstruction husbandry and arable growing conditions. This paper presents first such study developed Neolithic Chalcolithic Central Anatolia, exploring at large (8 ha) early 6th millennium BC site Çatalhöyük West last phases preceding East, located on western end Konya Plain, small 4th sites Çamlıbel Tarlası (0.25 ha), in loop Kızılırmak river, Kuruçay Höyük (~1 shore Lake Burdur. results reveal mosaic nature cultivation; complex ecosystem, naturally 15N enriched, was additionally anthropogenically improved, while inhabitants also chose to cultivate barley drier conditions wheats pulses. smaller, Late cultivated each individual species variable instead selecting specific cultivation or wetter Each single wide range water availabilities receiving low-level manure application. Variation availability is possibly consequence topography surrounding site, hills potentially used cultivation, providing due their slope. Functional ecology complements isotopic data, indicating wider intensities West, compared more consistent, narrower ranges Höyük. Settlement date, size environment seem be key contributing factors shaping method crops these sites. larger, earlier community riverine ecosystem around dryland anabranching channels Çarşamba different maintained intensities, reflecting differential access limited resources. smaller sites, communities consisting one household several households less ecosystems higher precipitation, management intensities. plausibly equal sharing critical resources as labour, land, coupled adequate precipitation rates.