For over 10,000 years, the Cappadocia region of Central Anatolia has been home to some of the earliest traces of human civilization. Among its most remarkable sites stands Aşıklı Höyük, one of the first permanent settlements in human history. Recent excavations reveal extraordinary insights into how Neolithic communities shifted from hunter-gatherer lifestyles to a more settled agricultural society.
📜 Aşıklı Höyük: A Window Into Early Human Civilization
Located in the heart of Cappadocia, Aşıklı Höyük is considered one of the oldest villages in the world, dating back to around 8300 BC. Archaeological excavations have been ongoing for more than 36 years, involving experts from Oxford University, Cambridge University, and the University of Connecticut.
According to Assoc. Prof. Güneş Duru, head of the excavations at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, the site provides unparalleled evidence of early architecture, agriculture, and animal domestication.
“From round huts to rectangular houses, from wild gathering to the first farming activities, and especially the domestication of sheep and goats—we can say that Aşıklı Höyük was a cradle of global transformation,” explains Duru.
🏡 From Round Huts to Rectangular Homes
One of the most fascinating aspects of Aşıklı Höyük is the architectural evolution visible within its layers. Early inhabitants lived in circular huts, but over time, they transitioned into rectangular mudbrick structures. This change represents not only a shift in construction techniques but also a broader social transformation, enabling larger families to live together and organize communal spaces more effectively.
🌾 Agriculture and the First Domesticated Animals
Archaeological findings show that the community of Aşıklı Höyük engaged in early farming practices and became pioneers in animal domestication. Sheep and goats, which were first tamed here, spread from Anatolia to the rest of the world.
This crucial step allowed humans to move away from unstable hunting practices and build sustainable food resources that supported a growing population.
⚖️ A Society Built on Equality
Another remarkable discovery is that the Neolithic people of Aşıklı Höyük lived in an egalitarian society for nearly a millennium.
Assoc. Prof. Güneş Duru highlights:
“The people here hunted together, stored food collectively, and shared their resources equally. For 1,000 years, they maintained a balanced and cooperative way of life. Toward the later phases of the settlement, inequality began to emerge, but the community developed systems to maintain harmony.”
This reveals that social cooperation was not only central to their survival but also to their cultural development.
🔬 Why Aşıklı Höyük Matters Today
Standing 16–17 meters high, the mound of Aşıklı Höyük is more than just an ancient settlement—it is a living laboratory for archaeologists. The discoveries made here shed light on:
- The transition from nomadic to settled life
- The origins of agriculture
- The first steps of animal domestication
- The early roots of social organization
For modern researchers, this site helps answer one of the biggest questions in human history: How did humans first learn to live together in organized communities?
📌 Conclusion
The excavations at Aşıklı Höyük not only enrich our understanding of Cappadocia’s deep history but also provide invaluable insights into the origins of civilization itself. As studies continue, the site will remain one of the most important keys to unlocking the mysteries of early human society.
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