Multi-Proxy Approach to Archaeological Dung Research: New Evidence From Aceramic Neolithic Site of Aşıklı Höyük, Central Anatolia

Abstract

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 calcium carbonate (CaCO<inf>3</inf>), 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. © 2021 Istanbul Universitesi. All Rights Reserved.