Trauma Analysis of Human Skeletal Remains From the Assyrian Trade Colonies Period at Kültepe, Central Anatolia/Turkey

Abstract

The subject of the study is the demographic analysis and traumas of the people who lived during the Middle Bronze Age Assyrian Trade Colonies Period, excavated from Kültepe on the Central Anatolian plateau. A total of 61 individuals were identified from the examined human skeletal remains, including 25 males, 24 females, 6 individuals of undetermined gender, and 6 children and adolescents. Various traumas were detected on the skeletal remains of these individuals. After analyzing the distribution of traumas based on age and gender, the types of these traumas were explained. Comparisons were made with other societies that existed in Anatolia during the same period. While various traumas caused by violence were encountered in other societies, it is understood that the traumas observed in the population of Kültepe were mainly the result of accidents, falls, and occupational incidents. It is stated that the inhabitants of Kültepe consisted of various ethnic communities. Archaeological studies indicate that the residents of Kültepe, comprised of multiple ethnic groups, lived in accordance with the laws and rules established by the regional authorities. The results obtained from human skeletal remains support these archaeological results.

Examining evidence for violence at the end of the Assyrian trading colonies period at Kaman‐Kalehöyük

“…At Kültepe, one antemortem cranial depression fracture is reported, which could be the result of an accident or interpersonal violence (Üstündağ, 2014). In a recent analysis of the skeletal remains from Kültepe, Köroğlu et al (2023) describe multiple postcranial antemortem fractures and one perimortem skull fracture but suggest that they may have been accidental. Overall, it appears that injuries resulting from interpersonal violence are rare during the ATCP, at least at these three sites.…”