Biomolecular and micromorphological analysis of suspected faecal deposits at Neolithic Çatalhöyük, Turkey

摘要: Suspected coprolites from midden, burial and room fill contexts at Catalhoyuk were analysed by GC/MS thin section micromorphology. Assessment of sterol biomarkers enabled a distinction between faecal non-faecal sources for the deposits to be made, with bile acid indicating that many are human coprolites. The relative lack ruminant faeces could due this material being used as fuel source. Deposits in burials observed contain soil plant derived sterols rather than their counterparts. Further analysis identification associated materials contents. Diagnostic inclusions such bone fragments only present some coprolites, which have very similar morphology decayed remains. This study illustrates difficulties distinguishing field under microscope, demonstrates importance integrating biogeochemical methods, particularly when basis interpreting health diet, use-of-space settlements.