states: [turkey]
category: cultural
year: 2012
region: Europe and North America
latitude/longitude: 37.6666666667, 32.8280555556
The Neolithic Site of Çatalhöyük, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Turkey, is one of the world’s oldest known human settlements, dating back to around 7500–5700 BCE. This prehistoric village is renowned for its well-preserved mudbrick houses, intricate wall paintings, and evidence of early agriculture and religious practices, offering a rare glimpse into Neolithic life. Its unique layout, with homes accessed via rooftops and no streets, reflects an egalitarian community that thrived for over a millennium. Çatalhöyük stands as a testament to humanity’s transition from hunter-gatherer societies to settled farming civilizations.
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