History
Comparison of the Seated Woman of Çatalhöyük to the Woman from Willendorf
The Seated Woman of Çatalhöyük refers to a neolithic sculpture which is a female nude formed, baked- clay that is seated between the feline arm headed rests. It was discovered by James Mellartn in 1961. The sculpture depicts a fertile and corpulent Goddess Mother, in the process the Mother Goddess is seated on her throne, which has two hands in the form of a feline while giving birth.
On the other hand Woman from Willendoff refers to a figurine in female form that was found by Joseph Szombathy in 1908. The statue was carved from red limestone that was known to be oolitic. The statue is important as an icon of prehistoric because it represented the different beliefs of the nomadic society that constructed it.
How do these two works illustrate the differences between societies in the Paleolithic and Neolithic periods?
The Woman of Çatalhöyük across the Paleolithic period represented the transition from hunting and gathering to animal domestication and skills in planting. The sculpture also witnesses the transition from a nomad life to a settler’s life form of living. Besides, in this era in society, it is seen that both sculpture and painting played a big role in the settlement process. Therefore, it provides indications that are suggestive of transformations through the lifetime of the settlement changes in settlement of the society and material culture
On the other hand Woman from Willendoff represents different practices in the society that were meant to ensure the success of society. The figurine as a goddess in the society ensured continuous food supply this was through the society believing that the figurine provided some magic that aided hunting. The figurine also shows that women had an esteemed role due to their nurturing capabilities in society, and this indicates that both tribe and family authority was in the hands of a woman
What do scholars believe the Seated Woman indicates about the possible status of women at Çatalhöyük? Please reference the BBC article in your answer.
The Seated Woman according to various scholars, indicates the possible status of a woman at Çatalhöyük. The women were valued for their life-giving controls, and moreover, the feminine anonymities were adored. However, according to Fredrick Engels, the idea gained grip with the invention of private lands and success in agricultural practices men later claimed ownership over women which lead to the defeat of women. Nonetheless, according to Mellaart et al., this defeat indicates that women always have been inferior creatures.
Why have the recently concluded excavations at Çatalhöyük led some to describe it as a “utopian” society?
Çatalhöyük excavations are described as the utopian because of the Neolithic model of the house and decorations. The houses excavated at Çatalhöyük were found to contain decorations on their platforms and walls. Subsequently, from the environment, the houses in Çatalhöyük were built right up against each other. The individuals who lived in those houses traveled over town’s roofs and went into their houses through fleabags in the rooftops, and later climbed down using a ladder. From the archaeology of the Çatalhöyük society, he remains of Çatalhöyük, which were in geometric designs and of people and animals. Figural and geometric images were popular and were in a two-dimensional wall. Repeated pastilles and meanders raved across a plaster wall. Moreover, people are carved in pairs of leopards and clay and were formed in respite on the sides of rooms facing one another.
Burial practices at Çatalhöyük.How do these practices compare to the approach to burying the dead at Stonehenge?
The burials at Çatalhöyük show no disparities, either based on gender or wealth. People were buried under raised platforms in fetal positions, which were covered with reed mats in the tombs and used as beds. Therefore, as in Stonehenge, a huge stone structure was used as a monument, and a burial ground for the dead in Çatalhöyük individuals was buried in tombs. However, the bodies of children were being buried differently. The remains of children were covered with ochre and decorated with beads. The excavators believed that this special concern for children may be a reflection of the society being sedentary and required larger numbers of children because of inheritance desires.