Small Mammals in Neolithic Southeast Anatolia

Öz

While large mammals made a substantial contribution to dietary practices and the animal economy throughout the Neolithic, small mammals also played an important role in both subsistence and symbolism. This study applies the Shannon–Weaver Diversity Index (H’) to propose a new model based on quantitative and qualitative analyses of published datasets on small mammalian fauna from Neolithic southeastern Anatolia. During the Pre-Pottery Neolithic A (PPNA) and Pre-Pottery Neolithic B (PPNB), small mammals—particularly hare and fox—were hunted in considerable numbers. Beyond their nutritional value, small mammalian fauna were also incorporated into funerary rituals and symbolic practices. In the Pottery Neolithic (PN), the exploitation of small mammals declined markedly with the advent of agriculture and animal domestication. Nevertheless, remains of species such as wild cat, lynx, porcupine, and beaver indicate that early farming communities continued to utilize small mammals for diverse purposes. This paper compares and evaluates the dynamics of small mammal exploitation in relation to environmental and cultural contexts across two distinct sub-regions: the Upper Tigris Basin and the Middle Euphrates Basin. We argue that, despite the low to medium levels of biodiversity in their ecosystems, small mammalian fauna held significant importance not only for subsistence but also for symbolic and ritual practices in Neolithic southeastern Anatolia.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• PPNA
• PPNB
• Small mammal
• Neolithic subsistance
• Southeastern Anatolia

Güneydoğu Anadolu Neolitik Dönem Küçük Memeli Hayvanlar

Öz

Neolitik Dönem boyunca büyük memeli hayvanlar, beslenme ve ekonomiye önemli ölçüde katkıda bulunmuştur. Bununla birlikte, küçük memeli hayvanlar da besin ekonomisi ve sembolik-ritüel faaliyetlerde önemli bir rol oynamıştır. Shannon–Weaver Çeşitlilik İndeksi (H’) kullanılarak bu çalışmada, Güneydoğu Anadolu Neolitik Dönemi’ne ait küçük memeli faunasına ilişkin veriler, niceliksel ve niteliksel olarak incelenerek yeni bir model oluşturulmuştur. Hem Çanak Çömleksiz Neolitik A (PPNA) hem de Çanak Çömleksiz Neolitik B (PPNB) dönemlerinde, başta tavşan ve tilki olmak üzere küçük memeli hayvanların yoğun bir şekilde tercih edildiği görülmektedir. Ayrıca, küçük memeli hayvanlar yalnızca beslenme amacıyla değil, aynı zamanda ölü gömme ritüelleri, sembolik faaliyetler ve diğer uygulamalarda da kullanılmıştır. Çanak Çömlekli Neolitik Dönem (PN) ile birlikte tarım ve hayvancılığın gelişmesi, küçük memeli hayvanların kullanımında önemli bir azalma yaratmıştır. Bununla birlikte, dönemin faunal kalıntıları arasında yer alan yaban kedisi, vaşak, kirpi ve kunduz gibi türler, bölgedeki erken yerleşik toplulukların küçük memeli hayvanları farklı amaçlarla kullanmayı sürdürebilmiş olabileceklerini göstermektedir. Genel olarak, Güneydoğu Anadolu’nun Yukarı Dicle ve Orta Fırat Havzalarındaki çevresel ve kültürel bağlamlar göz önünde bulundurularak, Neolitik toplulukların küçük memeli hayvanlarla ilişkileri karşılaştırmalı bir şekilde değerlendirilmiştir. Bu değerlendirmelerde, ekosistemlerindeki düşük ile orta düzeydeki biyoçeşitliliğe rağmen, küçük memeli faunanın yalnızca beslenme açısından değil, aynı zamanda sembolik ve ritüel uygulamalardaki önemi de vurgulanmıştır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• PPNA
• PPNB
• Küçük memeli hayvan
• Neolitik geçim ekonomisi
• Güneydoğu Anadolu

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