Ceremonial plant consumption at Middle Bronze Age Büklükale, Kırıkkale Province, central Turkey

Fairbairn, Andrew S.; Wright, Nathan J.; Weeden, Mark; Barjamovic, Gojko; Matsumura, Kimiyoshi; Rasch, Ron

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.

Citation

Fairbairn, A. S., Wright, N. J., Weeden, M., Barjamovic, G., Matsumura, K., & Rasch, R. (2019). Ceremonial plant consumption at Middle Bronze Age Büklükale, Kırıkkale Province, central Turkey. Vegetation History and Archaeobotany, 28(3), 327-346. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00334-018-0703-x

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 5, 2018
• Online Publication Date: Nov 29, 2018
• Publication Date: May 1, 2019
• Deposit Date: Dec 5, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 5, 2018
• Journal: Vegetation History and Archaeobotany
• Print ISSN: 0939-6314
• Electronic ISSN: 1617-6278
• Publisher: Springer
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 28
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 327-346
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00334-018-0703-x
• Keywords: Anatolia, Archaeobotany, Exchange networks, Hittite texts, Old Assyrian texts, Feasting