ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF NEOLITHIC PERIOD FOOTPRINTS FROM BARCIN HÖYÜK, TURKEY

Abstract

Presented here are a pair of preserved footprints discovered in 2014 at the site of Barcın Höyük, a Neolithic

site located in northwestern Turkey. Found within the entrance of Structure 2a, the footprints date to

approximately 6400 cal. BC. Footprints are rarely discovered in prehistoric settlements, adding significance

to their study and to the conditions that led to their formation and ultimate preservation. This article

provides anthropological estimations for the individuals who left the footprints and discusses the possibility

of symbolism using contextual information and ethnographic and archaeological parallels. The

measurements and analyses confirm that the footprints are the bare left and right foot of a single individual

and provide clues about the biological profile of the individual. The footprint of the right foot produces

various measurements such as footprint length, breadth and heel breadth. When compared with known

standards, the print appears likely to be of an adult male 169.9 cm tall (with a 16.78 CI at 95% ranging from

153.1-186.66 cm) and weighing 71.9 kg (with a 31.14 kg CI at 95% ranging from 40.76 – 103.04 kg).