Animal Remains From Çakırbeyli-Küçüktepe Höyük Excavations, Western Anatolia

Abstract

Çakırbeyli Küçüktepe Höyük is a mound site in western Anatolia, located 1.5 km north of Çakırbeyli village, Koçarlı district of Aydın province, Türkiye. This paper presents the first zooarchaeological report of the animal remains unearthed from the 2014-2016 excavations at Çakırbeyli-Küçüktepe Höyük. The aim was to record, identify and find animal-based subsistence at the site. Faunal assemblages from Early Bronze Age to Byzantine occupations of the site represents a total of 875 specimens were examined. The remains were identified by classifying them according to their genus and species. At first observation, representing 8 animal families, a total of 13 different species of mammals, reptiles and birds were identified. It appeared that Çakırbeyli- Küçüktepe people were both hunters and herders for their common subsistence. Although there were red deer, horses and cattle, sheep and goats (Ovicaprid) were found to be the most consumed species, comprising 89.60% of total identified specimens. Based on a few equid specimens, it appeared that horses were used at the site for transportation. The distribution of skeletal parts suggests on-site butchering practice. Heavy burn marks, especially around the edge, on a large number of bones suggest open fire or direct heat food processing. Overall, the identified species illustrate a mosaic of ecology and habitat exploitation as well as multiple aspects of humananimal relationships at Çakırbeyli-Küçüktepe Höyük.