Çatalhöyük is an archaeological site located in the Konya Plain of central Turkey. It represents one of the most significant and well-preserved Neolithic (New Stone Age) settlements, dating back to approximately 7500 BCE to 5700 BCE. The site provides valuable insights into early human settlement patterns, social organization, and cultural practices during the Neolithic period.

Key features of Çatalhöyük include:

1. Urban Settlement: Çatalhöyük is often considered one of the world’s earliest known urban settlements. It consists of densely packed mudbrick houses with shared walls, arranged in a honeycomb-like pattern. The lack of streets suggests that access to houses was primarily through the rooftops.
2. Mudbrick Architecture: The houses at Çatalhöyük were constructed using mudbrick, and many of them featured intricate wall paintings and reliefs. The buildings were often renovated and expanded, creating a layered archaeological record.
3. No Streets, Rooftop Access: The absence of streets in Çatalhöyük is notable. Instead of conventional streets, houses were interconnected, and people likely accessed their homes through ladders and the rooftops. This architectural feature has sparked debates among archaeologists about the social organization and privacy of the community.
4. Burial Practices: Çatalhöyük features a complex system of burial practices. Some houses contain burials beneath the floors, while others have dedicated burial platforms. Burials were often accompanied by grave goods, including pottery and figurines.
5. Wall Paintings and Artifacts: The walls of many houses at Çatalhöyük were adorned with vivid murals depicting scenes of daily life, animals, and symbolic motifs. Artifacts found at the site include pottery, tools made of obsidian and bone, and figurines.
6. Domesticated Plants and Animals: The inhabitants of Çatalhöyük practiced agriculture and animal husbandry. Archaeological evidence indicates the cultivation of wheat, barley, peas, and lentils. Domesticated animals included sheep, goats, and cattle.
7. Religious Practices: Çatalhöyük is associated with evidence of early religious or symbolic practices. Some structures have been interpreted as shrines, and figurines and murals suggest a complex belief system that may have included ritualistic practices.
8. Decline: The reasons for the decline and abandonment of Çatalhöyük around 5700 BCE are not entirely clear. Factors such as environmental changes, social dynamics, or shifts in economic practices have been proposed as possible explanations.

Çatalhöyük has been the focus of extensive archaeological research, led by teams from various institutions. The site’s significance lies in its contribution to understanding the transition from small-scale settlements to more complex urban communities, shedding light on the social, economic, and cultural dynamics of Neolithic societies. The site is also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.