Abstract:

In this study, it is aimed to better understand dead burials and memorial rituals with the help of animal bones from Tatıka Early Bronze Age graveyard. The site of Tatıka, located on the eastern bank of the Tigris River and is one of the excavations carried out within the scope of Salvage Project of the Ilısu Dam and HEP Project. As assumed from the architecture was uncovered, Tatıka was related with the dead rituals. Within the scope of the study, animal bones, as dead food remains were identified. Thus, the animal preference of past people from Tatıka was revealed, and it has also understood age of offering animals from dental aging. In addition, information about skeletal element distribution and cut marks are obtained. 1542 animal bone fragments were collected from around the walls and pits. Bone assemblages is dominated by domestic animals; sheep, goat, pig and cattle. Wild taxa including deer, turtle, bird and fish are also found, though in low numbers. It has been understood that deer species are mostly preferred within the wild taxa. It is believed that the deer mostly found in baby and/or child graves are part of a special ritual activity. The large size carp fish was probably part of a massively eaten funerary meal. The results from Tatıka are then compared with archaeological ritual places at Anatolia and Northern Syria.

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