We measured stable nitrogen isotope ratios in bone collagen of 60 individuals from the early Neolithic (9th-8th millennium Cal. BC) sites of Çayönü Tepesi and Aşıklı Höyük. Our aim was to identify the duration of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF), compare this with juvenile mortality at each site, and assess whether there was a relationship between them. The isotope analysis suggests that weaning commenced at about 1 year at Aşıklı Höyük and around 2 years at Çayönü Tepesi. The mortality data show equal numbers of infant deaths up to 24 months; however, after 24 months, the mortality rate increases at Çayönü Tepesi, and a Student's t-test confirms a significant difference in infant mortality between the sites. Weaning foods prepared in the early Neolithic from agricultural crops would have had low-iron content, poor nutritional value, and would have been prepared in nonsterilized containers. Therefore, later weaned infants in early Neolithic farming settlements, although capable of some immunological response, were probably undernourished putting them at a disadvantage when encountering bacteria in their weaning food. Our results suggest that infant feeding regimes that introduced infants to weaning foods in the first year of life may have had a positive effect on their survival.

Human skeletal remains from the Chalcolithic period of Değirmentepe, Turkey, near the Euphrates River, display artificial cranial deformation of the circular type. Human skeletal remains belonging to 31 individual have been dated to the Chalcolithic period (second half of the fifth millennium BC, uncalibrated). The remains include foetuses, infants, children and juveniles; but no adult skeletons. Either the adults were buried elsewhere or flooding of the Euphrates dragged the adult remains away. Artificial cranial deformation was observed in 13 of the 31 subadults ranging in age from 1 month to 13-14 years. Değirmentepe villagers might have used one or two circular constricting bands with the intent of producing artificial head deformation. As far as Anatolia and the Near Eastern region is concerned, the widespread use of circular head deformation may be an indication of longer-distance trade and more need for ethnic markers.

Highlights► People from secondary burials (Skull Building) had different diets to those buried beneath houses. ► In the later Cell Plan sub-phase of occupation males and females had different diets. ► Dietary variation resulted from different types and/or amounts of meat and plant protein. ► The isotope results follow sex and burial practice suggesting food reinforced social behaviours.

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