SOAS Research Online

A Free Database of the Latest Research by SOAS Academics and PhD Students

[skip to content]

Fairbairn, Andrew S., Wright, Nathan J., Weeden, Mark, Barjamovic, Gojko, Matsumura, Kimiyoshi and Rasch, Ron (2019) 'Ceremonial plant consumption at Middle Bronze Age Büklükale, Kırıkkale Province, central Turkey.' Vegetation History and Archaeobotany, 28 (3). pp. 327-346.

[img]
Preview
Text - Accepted Version
Download (574kB) | Preview

Abstract

A shaft-like room at the Middle Bronze Age site of Büklükale in central Turkey preserved a rich archaeobotanical assemblage of charred and mineralised plant remains, dominated by fruits, spices and nuts mixed with probable bread and wood charcoals. The remains were recovered in association with numerous ceramic vessels, jewellery and exotic artefacts. We combine identification and analysis of the seeds and wood charcoals contained in this deposit with studies of Old Assyrian and Hittite textual records to investigate the circumstances of the assemblage’s formation and its significance for further understanding trade and plant consumption in Bronze Age Anatolia. We present the earliest archaeobotanical example in the region of rare and exotic plant species being consumed in the context of one or more social gatherings, including those possibly linked to ceremonial or ritual events. This offers new insights into the role of plants in the economic and social life of the southwest Asian Bronze Age, as well as the role of commensality and feasting in early states.

Item Type: Journal Article
Keywords: Anatolia, Archaeobotany, Exchange networks, Hittite texts, Old Assyrian texts, Feasting
SOAS Departments & Centres: Departments and Subunits > School of History, Religions & Philosophies > Department of History
ISSN: 16176278
Copyright Statement: © Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2018. This is the version of the article accepted for publication in Vegetation History and Archaeobotany published by Springer https://doi.org/10.1007/s00334-018-0703-x
DOI (Digital Object Identifier): https://doi.org/10.1007/s00334-018-0703-x
Date Deposited: 05 Dec 2018 08:52
URI: https://eprints.soas.ac.uk/id/eprint/30010

Altmetric Data

Statistics

Download activity - last 12 monthsShow export options
Downloads since deposit
6 month trend
317Downloads
6 month trend
209Hits
Accesses by country - last 12 monthsShow export options
Accesses by referrer - last 12 monthsShow export options

Repository staff only

Edit Item Edit Item