Work

Bringing Home the Bacon: Carcass transport, butchery, and food preparation decisions at PPNA Körtiktepe, upper Mesopotamia

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Faunal remains from archaeological sites dating to the Pre-Pottery Neolithic (PPN) are usually interpreted with an emphasis on early animal management strategy, domestication, environmental change, or ritual – particularly including feasting. In general, however, little attention has been paid to questions of methods of processing animal carcasses, including initial dismemberment, secondary butchery, and preparation for consumption. In hunting contexts, butchery practices can help elucidate firstly, constraints and priorities when preparing carcasses for transportation and, secondly, indicate modes of butchery, cooking and consumption that may be culturally specific. This paper will focus on butchery practices at the site of Körtiktepe, one of the rare sites comprising both Epipaleolithic and PPNA strata both giving a general overview of the typical practices demonstrated at the site, as well as highlighting particular aspects of interest.

Source: Journal of Archaeological Science Reports

DOI: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2026.106018

Authors: Stephanie Emra, Marion Benz, Abu B. Siddiq, Vecihi Özkaya

Institutions: Bavarian Natural History Collections, Archäologische Bodenforschung des Kantons Basel-Stadt, Mardin Artuklu University, Dicle University

Language: English

Topic: Archaeology and ancient environmental studies

Subfield: Paleontology

Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,910

Funder: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft