Adaptions in subsistence strategy to environment changes across the Younger Dryas - Early Holocene boundary at Körtiktepe, Southeastern Turkey

Abstract

The site of Körtiktepe in southeastern Turkey is one of few sites in the Upper Mesopotamia basin that attests continuous, permanent occupation across the boundary from end of the colder, drier Younger Dryas (YD) into the comparatively wetter and warmer Early Holocene (EH). This allows for the study of the degree of environmental change experienced on a local level over this boundary as well as for the study of the adaptations that the occupants of the site undertook in response to these changes. The mammal assemblage of Körtiktepe remains relatively stable across the YD – EH transition with the main contributors to diet being mouflon ( Ovis orientalis) and red deer ( Cervus elaphus) in approximately the same quantities, although the contribution of aurochs ( Bos primigenius) increases in the EH. The most significant changes can be seen in the shift in avifauna remains, with a sharp increase of waterbirds during the EH. It is proposed that these shifts reflect changes in the local environment with an increase in woodland cover as well as expansion of local waterways, which is generally consistent with previously published archaeobotanical studies. In terms of species exploited, mortality profiles as well as size distribution of mammals, a great deal of continuity is observed. This suggests that over this particular period the local impact of the beginning of the Early Holocene was not overly dramatic, allowing for cultural continuity of previously established subsistence strategies.

Ancient mitogenomes from Pre-Pottery Neolithic Central Anatolia and the effects of a Late Neolithic bottleneck in sheep ( Ovis aries )

“…2, B and C, labeled K1 and K3) that coalesce, one at the base of haplogroup B and one to a deep branch that is paraphyletic to all mouflon and sheep individuals. The Körtik Tepe individuals, dated to 11.7 ka cal BP, are considered wild based on their archeological context, morphology, and dating (53). The possibility that the entire B A sheep population of Aşıklı Höyük was hunted or captured and raised [see, e.g., (8)] could explain the high diversity-and lack of bottleneck-at the site but is at odds with the mitogenomic relatedness that we observe and with the archeological evidence pointing toward dense stabling.…”

Human-bird interactions in the Levant during the Late Pleistocene to Early Holocene: Multi-scalar analysis of avifaunal remains

“…The dominance of these species might re ect the effect of agricultural activity providing opportune foraging habitats for these species of birds with both groups of birds attracted to these niches. At Körtik Tepe, interpretation (Emra et al 2022) discussed the avifauna in relation to subsistence economy of the settlement despite ritual activities being well attested (Clare et al 2019). Interestingly, the assemblage dominated by Great Bustard (Otis tarda) during the Younger Dryas phase, has an increase in Greylag goose (Anser anser) in the Early Holocene.…”