Scientists conducted DNA analysis of hundreds of human skeletons found in Chatalhoyuk, Türkiye.
Heads of 32 countries of the world, including America, have gathered in Türkiye’s major city Ankara for the two-day long NATO summit. The conference is held on 7-8 July. Because of this special event, Türkiye remains in the headlines in the world. Now when Turkey is being discussed, the much talked about DNA test conducted on several thousand years old settlement in the year 2023 is again in the headlines. Under the pretext of NATO summit, do you understand why scientists felt the need for DNA test? What was the result? What’s on that site today? Was it really true that nine thousand years ago it was not for men but for women? Let us understand in detail.
It is often believed in history books that in ancient societies men played the maximum role. But new discoveries in science are challenging many old ideas. The DNA study conducted on Chatalhoyuk, a famous settlement of Türkiye that is approximately nine thousand years old, has raised many such new questions. This research has indicated that the position of women in this society was very strong. In many cases women were the center of family and society. However, this does not mean that there was only women’s rule there. Researchers say that this society gave special importance to women and the identity of the family is also often seen linked to women.
What is Chatalhoyuk?
Chatalhöyük is counted among the oldest and largest Neolithic settlements in the world. It is situated in the central part of present-day Türkiye. This settlement was inhabited between 7100 BC to 5950 BC, that is, thousands of people lived here about nine thousand years ago. This place is also special because the houses here were connected to each other. People used to enter the house through the roof instead of the door. Farming, animal husbandry and community life were the main features here.
Many researches have been done on the Chatalhoyuk civilization located in the central part of Türkiye. photo: unesco
How was the new discovery made through DNA test?
Scientists conducted DNA analysis of hundreds of human skeletons found in Chatalhoyuk. Along with this, it was also seen that which person was buried under which house. The objective of the research was to understand whether the people buried in the same house were related to each other or not. DNA testing revealed that biological relationships were stronger between women buried in multiple households. At the same time, many men were found who did not have direct genetic relation with that family. From here the scientists got the indication that after marriage the men probably came to live with the women’s families.
Was the family connected to women?
This study put forward an important possibility. In many families, daughters and women remained connected to the same house for generations. On the other hand, more diversity was seen in the DNA of men. This may mean that men came to marry from different places, while women remained with their original families. In the language of social science, this is called matrilocal system, that is, after marriage, the husband comes to live with the wife’s family. In states like UP-Bihar it is called Ghar Jamai.
An infant was buried with an adult woman. Photo: Scott D. Haddow
Was it a matriarchal society?
The researchers did not claim that there was complete rule by women. He only said that the social role of women was very strong. Women may have more importance in family, property or social identity. That is, it would not be scientifically correct to say that this society was completely matriarchal.
Many types of signs were found from the graves also
In Chatalhöyük, people buried their dead under the floors of their houses. Scientists noticed that many times small girls and women were buried with special objects. Jewelery, beautiful items and other valuable objects were also found in some graves. This indicates that women had a respectable position in the society.
DNA test revealed many secrets. Photo: Pexels
Importance of women shown in art also
Women are prominently depicted in many sculptures found from this settlement. In some sculptures, women are considered symbols of power, prosperity and life. However, all experts are not unanimous on whether these idols are of goddesses or of ordinary women. Yet it is clear that the image of women was an important part of the culture of this society.
What did the scientists say?
Scientists involved in the research say that DNA technology has opened a new way to understand ancient societies. Earlier archaeologists used to guess only on the basis of houses, tools and graves. Now through DNA analysis it can be found out how people were related to each other and how families were formed? This is making it possible to re-examine many old notions of history.
Why is this discovery special?
The biggest specialty of this study is that it tries to understand the social system on the basis of scientific evidence. Earlier it was believed that almost all ancient societies were male dominated, but now research in different areas shows that every society had its own system. In some societies men were dominant while in others the role of women was more influential. Therefore, the entire history cannot be seen from a single perspective.
Archaeologists wanted to know how the people of Chatalhöyük formed their families. Photo: Pexels
What message for modern society?
This discovery shows that human society has not always remained the same. The structure of family and society has been changing according to time, place and culture. The notion that the role of women was limited only to the home does not apply to every ancient society. There are many such examples in history where women made an important place in social life.
It is important to understand the limitations of research
Scientists themselves believe that conclusions cannot be drawn about ancient Türkiye or the entire world on the basis of just one settlement. This study helps to understand the social structure of Chatalhöyük. Future DNA studies at other ancient sites will further clarify this topic. Therefore, it would be more appropriate to say that this research gives new indications, and not the final truth.
When was this research done?
This important DNA-based research on Chatalhoyuk was published in the international scientific journal Nature Communications in the year 2023. This is considered one of the most comprehensive genetic studies ever conducted on this settlement. The research was led by a team of scientists from Turkish and international institutions. The lead researchers of the study included Professor Ayshergul Kilinc of the Middle East Technical University, Türkiye, and her colleagues. Many archaeologists, geneticists and anthropologists from Europe and Türkiye also participated in this project.
Why was the need for this research felt?
For decades, archaeologists have wanted to know how the people of Chatalhöyük formed their families, whose house the spouses lived in after marriage, and what the structure of society was like. Clear answers to these questions could not be found only on the basis of houses, graves and tools. Therefore, scientists studied ancient DNA, so that the real structure of people’s mutual relationships and families could be understood on the basis of scientific evidence.
What is there at that place today?
Today Chatalhöyük is a protected archaeological site located in the Konya province of Türkiye. No modern city is established here. Special structures have been built to protect the excavation area, so that the ancient remains are protected from the weather. This site is included in the UNESCO World Heritage list since 2012. Researchers, historians and tourists from all over the world come here to see and understand the ancient human civilization.
Also read: Neither Europe, nor America, why NATO summit in Türkiye, how to get benefit?
