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The Goddess and the Bull: Catalhoyuk: An Archaeological Journey to the Dawn of Civilization
Discovered in 1958 by James Mellaart, Çatalhöyuek, located on the Konya Plain in Turkey, is an archaeological site of tremendous importance. Today, under the direction of Ian Hodder, excavations continues unabated. This multi-faceted biography tells the story of Çatalhöyuek from a variety of angles. It tells the story of the discovery of the site, of those that directed excavations and the team of diggers and experts working there, as well as their relationships, rivalries and personal aims. However, the book also provides insights into the process of archaeology, discussing what the findings of the Neolithic `Dawn of Civilization'. This behind-the-scenes look at the site and the people drawn to it each season is both engaging and informative, much like the site itself. `A revealing narrative of people and ideas at the working face of archaeology' - Colin Renfrew.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published December 28, 2004
About the author
Michael Balter
2 booksMichael Balter is an American science journalist. His writings primarily cover anthropology, archaeology, mental health and sexual harassment in science. Balter was a correspondent for Science magazine for over 25 years, before being controversially dismissed in 2016.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
September 26, 2017
Well, I have to agree with previous reviewers who said this is more about the archaeologists than the archaeology; more about the history of excavation at the site than about what the site can tell us about the Neolithic. If you enjoy people-watching, you may enjoy this – though I have to say that I was hoping for a lot more history and archaeology, and didn’t need the excavator biographies. In fact I found it slightly surreal to be reading about people I’ve worked with; like peeking at their social media histories before you met them. The book delves into a lot of archaeologists’ spats, including the Big Debate between New Archaeology and post-processualism (both paradigms for method and theoretical approach in archaeology). Let me tell you, I had to take a compulsory class on this at graduate level and it was a class I struggled with, on more than one occasion wondering silently and impatiently why we couldn’t just get down to the business at hand. Apparently, I have just as little tolerance for the topic today as I did back then. But on the other hand, it’s good to know that one of my profs (unknown to me) shared the sentiment. Now I intend to go and read Ian Hodder’s publications on Catalhoyuk.
October 10, 2021
"We are not witnessing a patriarchy or a matriarchy," [Ian Hodder] concluded. "What we are seeing is perhaps more interesting—a society in which, in many area, the question of whether you were a man or a woman did not determine the life you could lead."
February 17, 2016
Although the title implicates the opposite, the book is not about the archeological site, Çatalhöyük and does not provide a comprehensive approach for the technical and social context of the site and its role in the field of archaeology (See the books of Mellart and Hodder). However, it is a great journal of a project with its main participants, ups and downs of decision making with many details about the local workers and the actual psychology of the team during the meticulous and tedious field work seasons. In the end it creates a clear image of a long running project which has become one of the biggest archaeological excavations in the world in terms of its size, context and approaches.
April 22, 2010
This book is not quite what I expected; it is not so much a study of Çatalhöyük as it is a history of the settlement's excavation. For those who don't know, Çatalhöyük is a 9,500-year-old Neolithic site, located in central Turkey, which is famous for its large size, well-preserved buildings, and cryptic artwork.
Balter's account begins with the excavation of the site from its 1950s discovery by James Mellaart, the eccentric Mellaart's tortured history with the site, his not-quite-reliable interpretations of his findings, and the (probably unfair) accusations of antiquities theft against him that got him banned from the site. Then, the bulk of the book is taken up by the excavation led by Ian Hodder beginning in the 1990s, which continues today.
The layman will learn a lot about archaeological theory from Balter's account. About Çatalhöyük itself, the reader learns not only the facts, but how we know them, such as the ways that Hodder's team came to the conclusions that most of the cattle at Çatalhöyük were wild and not domesticated, and that the "goddess worship" posited by Mellaart is not really sustained by the evidence.
Balter's account begins with the excavation of the site from its 1950s discovery by James Mellaart, the eccentric Mellaart's tortured history with the site, his not-quite-reliable interpretations of his findings, and the (probably unfair) accusations of antiquities theft against him that got him banned from the site. Then, the bulk of the book is taken up by the excavation led by Ian Hodder beginning in the 1990s, which continues today.
The layman will learn a lot about archaeological theory from Balter's account. About Çatalhöyük itself, the reader learns not only the facts, but how we know them, such as the ways that Hodder's team came to the conclusions that most of the cattle at Çatalhöyük were wild and not domesticated, and that the "goddess worship" posited by Mellaart is not really sustained by the evidence.
April 26, 2023
Having finished this book, I'm wondering whether I even should have bothered. For one, it's now coming up on being twenty years old, which means that it's become dated. Two, while the author managed to become the designated "biographer" of the dig site, Balter's recent career as at least being a "boat-rocker" when it comes to making accusations of sexual and administrative misconduct does inevitably breed doubt, even if the man is picking the right fights (I haven't learned enough yet to pass personal judgement). All this being the case, why you're mostly reading this book is for what it says about the intellectual evolution of the discipline of archaeology up to about 2004, and for biographical background on James Mellaart (the man who began excavating the site) and Ian Hodder. Hodder, who reopened work at Catalhoyuk, largely did so as a project that might strengthen the way archaeology is conducted.
Barring a new survey of the site, one might be best advised to seek out Hodder's own recent lectures on the site (just visit YouTube), as a way of getting some sense of how thinking about Catalhoyuk has changed since Balter published his book.
Barring a new survey of the site, one might be best advised to seek out Hodder's own recent lectures on the site (just visit YouTube), as a way of getting some sense of how thinking about Catalhoyuk has changed since Balter published his book.
June 30, 2018
I picked up this book expecting to get insights into the Neolithic history, since it was between 10,000 to 12,000 years ago that the hunting-gathering nomads became sedentary and settled down leading to birth of agriculture. After finishing the book I felt that the perusal of about 500 plus pages was not worth the effort. The book disappoints as it turned out to be the history of the ‘Excavation of Çatalhöyük’ and not the history of Çatalhöyük.
Çatalhöyük, located in modern Turkey, is one of the most spectacular archaeological sites ever discovered. Complete with the remnants of countless buildings built overtop generations of other structures, amazingly well preserved wall paintings, graves, and other remnants, this Neolithic settlement excites the imagination of archaeologists and non-archaeologists alike while providing valuable insight into life in early permanent settlements.
Although the title implies the opposite, the book is not about the archaeological site, Çatalhöyük and does not provide a comprehensive approach for the technical and social context of the site and its role in the field of archaeology this is more about the archaeologists than the archaeology; more about the history of excavation at the site than about what the site can tell us about the Neolithic. I was hoping for a lot more history and archaeology, and didn’t need the excavator biographies.
This is the biography of an archaeological dig. It doesn't give you more than the bare bones (pun very much intended) about Catalhoyuk itself, but is concerned more with the people who are in the team investigating it. There is a potted biography of each of the people introduced in the book, what brought them to archaeology and the route they took to get there.
Balter's account begins with the excavation of the site from its 1950s discovery by James Mellaart, the eccentric Mellaart's tortured history with the site, his not-quite-reliable interpretations of his findings, and the (probably unfair) accusations of antiquities theft against him that got him banned from the site. Then, the bulk of the book is taken up by the excavation led by Ian Hodder beginning in the 1990s, which continues today. (The first edition of this book was 2005, and thirteen more years having elapsed – there is a crying need for a sequel)
For someone seeking in-depth information about Catalhoyuk, this is not the book to pick up. The dig is ongoing and at the time of writing the conclusions of the archaeologists were only just beginning to be published. But for someone who is looking at how a team is put together, what the working conditions of a good site are like, and the day to day processes that make up a season's dig, then this book is fascinating.
As mentioned in an earlier paragraph, there is a crying need for a sequel and it is hoped the sequel would give more coverage to the in-depth information, historical, technical and social context about Catalhoyuk.
I was planning to give only two stars to the book with the misleading title about the archaeological site Çatalhöyük, but for the effort put in by Balter and the novel approach to archaeological reporting, overall I am awarding four stars to the book.
Çatalhöyük, located in modern Turkey, is one of the most spectacular archaeological sites ever discovered. Complete with the remnants of countless buildings built overtop generations of other structures, amazingly well preserved wall paintings, graves, and other remnants, this Neolithic settlement excites the imagination of archaeologists and non-archaeologists alike while providing valuable insight into life in early permanent settlements.
Although the title implies the opposite, the book is not about the archaeological site, Çatalhöyük and does not provide a comprehensive approach for the technical and social context of the site and its role in the field of archaeology this is more about the archaeologists than the archaeology; more about the history of excavation at the site than about what the site can tell us about the Neolithic. I was hoping for a lot more history and archaeology, and didn’t need the excavator biographies.
This is the biography of an archaeological dig. It doesn't give you more than the bare bones (pun very much intended) about Catalhoyuk itself, but is concerned more with the people who are in the team investigating it. There is a potted biography of each of the people introduced in the book, what brought them to archaeology and the route they took to get there.
Balter's account begins with the excavation of the site from its 1950s discovery by James Mellaart, the eccentric Mellaart's tortured history with the site, his not-quite-reliable interpretations of his findings, and the (probably unfair) accusations of antiquities theft against him that got him banned from the site. Then, the bulk of the book is taken up by the excavation led by Ian Hodder beginning in the 1990s, which continues today. (The first edition of this book was 2005, and thirteen more years having elapsed – there is a crying need for a sequel)
For someone seeking in-depth information about Catalhoyuk, this is not the book to pick up. The dig is ongoing and at the time of writing the conclusions of the archaeologists were only just beginning to be published. But for someone who is looking at how a team is put together, what the working conditions of a good site are like, and the day to day processes that make up a season's dig, then this book is fascinating.
As mentioned in an earlier paragraph, there is a crying need for a sequel and it is hoped the sequel would give more coverage to the in-depth information, historical, technical and social context about Catalhoyuk.
I was planning to give only two stars to the book with the misleading title about the archaeological site Çatalhöyük, but for the effort put in by Balter and the novel approach to archaeological reporting, overall I am awarding four stars to the book.
February 7, 2022
Çatalhöyük was a large Neolithic community in what is now southeast Turkey. It was first settled 9,500 years ago, and people lived there continuously for a millennium, with a population of 8,000 at its peak.
I just finished reading about the 10,000-year-old Neolithic temple complex, Gobekli Tepe, also in Turkey, and it was fun learning about them together.
It’s amazing to think about people’s lives that far back in time, at the dawn of agriculture. Here’s a painting that reconstructs the interior of one of their structures: https://tinyurl.com/39d9s63u.
This book is not what I expected, though it’s a pleasant read. About a third of it is on Çatalhöyük, a third is about the evolution of archaeological theories and technical approaches, and a third is a chatty description of the personal lives of the people who excavated the site.
There aren’t many good books on Çatalhöyük for the general reader. Much of the non-technical material is replete with woo-woo theories about the beliefs of the people who lived there. (One day I may read one of Maria Gimbutas’ books in order to have done so, but I’m in no rush for it.) Reading this material did make me want to blow the dust off my copy of Joseph Campbell’s (1959) Primitive Mythology, which I recollect as being chock-a-block with stuff on bulls and goddesses.
I just finished reading about the 10,000-year-old Neolithic temple complex, Gobekli Tepe, also in Turkey, and it was fun learning about them together.
It’s amazing to think about people’s lives that far back in time, at the dawn of agriculture. Here’s a painting that reconstructs the interior of one of their structures: https://tinyurl.com/39d9s63u.
This book is not what I expected, though it’s a pleasant read. About a third of it is on Çatalhöyük, a third is about the evolution of archaeological theories and technical approaches, and a third is a chatty description of the personal lives of the people who excavated the site.
There aren’t many good books on Çatalhöyük for the general reader. Much of the non-technical material is replete with woo-woo theories about the beliefs of the people who lived there. (One day I may read one of Maria Gimbutas’ books in order to have done so, but I’m in no rush for it.) Reading this material did make me want to blow the dust off my copy of Joseph Campbell’s (1959) Primitive Mythology, which I recollect as being chock-a-block with stuff on bulls and goddesses.
September 5, 2021
I stumbled across this book while snooping through the shelves on Anthropology, and thought that it looked interesting. I was soon to be pleasantly surprised as it was much more than that, in fact it was extremely hard to put down even when I knew I had to get up for work the next morning. Having a degree in Anthropology explains why I was snooping in the above set of shelves, but having graduated close to 30 years ago I had never been exposed to the work at Çatalhöyük, much to my regret.
This book details the many years spent at the Çatalhöyük dig, and gives fascinating insights into the various people who worked there, their theories, and the amasing discoveries they found. Mr. Balter's book will I'm certain appeal to many readers both those in the field fo archaeology as well as regular citizens who are simply interested in prehistory.
While I have no influence at all in choosing books, I would highly recommend this book be used in an introductory archaeology course to give the students a taste of what a real archaeological dig can be like (especially one that spans multiple decades).
I'm definitely going to look for any other books Mr. Balter has written, as his writing style is captivating and very informative.
This book details the many years spent at the Çatalhöyük dig, and gives fascinating insights into the various people who worked there, their theories, and the amasing discoveries they found. Mr. Balter's book will I'm certain appeal to many readers both those in the field fo archaeology as well as regular citizens who are simply interested in prehistory.
While I have no influence at all in choosing books, I would highly recommend this book be used in an introductory archaeology course to give the students a taste of what a real archaeological dig can be like (especially one that spans multiple decades).
I'm definitely going to look for any other books Mr. Balter has written, as his writing style is captivating and very informative.
August 17, 2023
I actually teared up at the end of this consummate review of the early excavations of catalhoyuk. The author wrote about the archaeologists lives, passions and work with such affection and detail that I felt as if I had been on the seasons with them all. I am in love with catalhoyuk. When I was younger, the thought of ancient Egypt stored the romantic archaeologist in me, at university I fell head of heels for Athens and now, at 37, I feel the same giddy excitement for the Neolithic. Good reviews of the archaeological frameworks for excavation and of the systems used to analyse the finds. I will now go to my local university and borrow the archaeological reports on the seasons as the only criticism I could make of this book is there were not enough pictures of maps, finds etc although tbf to the author that was not the point of their book. But I must know! Thank you for reminding me why I love archaeology and humanity.
April 15, 2008
Çatalhöyük, located in modern Turkey, is one of the most spectacular archaeological sites ever discovered. Complete with the remnants of countless buildings built overtop generations of other structures, amazingly well preserved wall paintings, graves, and other remnants, this Neolithic settlement excites the imagination of archaeologists and non-archaeologists alike while providing valuable insight into life in early permanent settlements.
Surprisingly enough, the history of the excavations at Çatalhöyük is almost as complex and exciting as the actual findings at the site. The list of those individuals working at the site are a virtual who's who of the archaeological world with many of these individuals pioneering new theories and methodologies while working at Çatalhöyük.
The Goddess and the Bull seeks to tell the story of Çatalhöyük in a new way, blending the history of excavations at the site with the evidence found during these investigations. Included in these accounts is a little background on the key players investigating the site giving the reader deeper insight into the archaeological significance of the site and the ground breaking research being undertaken at Çatalhöyük.
Surprisingly enough, the history of the excavations at Çatalhöyük is almost as complex and exciting as the actual findings at the site. The list of those individuals working at the site are a virtual who's who of the archaeological world with many of these individuals pioneering new theories and methodologies while working at Çatalhöyük.
The Goddess and the Bull seeks to tell the story of Çatalhöyük in a new way, blending the history of excavations at the site with the evidence found during these investigations. Included in these accounts is a little background on the key players investigating the site giving the reader deeper insight into the archaeological significance of the site and the ground breaking research being undertaken at Çatalhöyük.
April 20, 2012
This is the biography, if you will, of an archaeological dig. It doesn't give you more than the bare bones (pun very much intended) about Catalhoyuk itself, but is concerned more with the people who are in the team investigating it. There is a potted biography of each of the people introduced in the book, what brought them to archaeology and the route they took to get there.
As a people-watcher, I enjoyed it very much. Everyone is treated with respect - there's no back-biting or gossip. Even the questionable behaviour of one of the original discoverers of the site is presented neutrally. The reader is left to draw her own conclusions from the information given about that subject.
For someone seeking in-depth information about Catalhoyuk, this is not the book to pick up. The dig is ongoing and at the time of writing the conclusions of the archaeologists were only just beginning to be published. But for someone who is looking at how a team is put together, what the working conditions of a good site are like, and the day to day processes that make up a season's dig, then this book is fascinating.
As this is the Kindle edition, I can't speak for the illustrations because they are not there!
As a people-watcher, I enjoyed it very much. Everyone is treated with respect - there's no back-biting or gossip. Even the questionable behaviour of one of the original discoverers of the site is presented neutrally. The reader is left to draw her own conclusions from the information given about that subject.
For someone seeking in-depth information about Catalhoyuk, this is not the book to pick up. The dig is ongoing and at the time of writing the conclusions of the archaeologists were only just beginning to be published. But for someone who is looking at how a team is put together, what the working conditions of a good site are like, and the day to day processes that make up a season's dig, then this book is fascinating.
As this is the Kindle edition, I can't speak for the illustrations because they are not there!
October 14, 2014
I was really pretty angry with Balter's writing style for the first two thirds of this book. It's written with a very journalistic, human interest story style, and that was off-putting to me because I just wanted to read a book about Catalhoyuk, not mini biographies of all the people associated with the site.
However, I eventually started to understand what I think is Balter's strategy. Reading about the people excavating and analyzing Catalhoyuk helped me understand not only about the importance of archeological theory, but the WHY? behind an archeologist's proceedings.
I still crave a work that answers the questions that Balter's "characters" (for, he does present real people as characters and writes of them almost as if he's writing fiction - sometimes annoyingly going so far as to purport to know what a person was thinking or feeling in a given moment Balter didn't actually even witness firsthand) uncover and with which they all grapple. But their not knowing all the answers, their pondering and their theories about why people came to live as one big group is exactly what makes the story such a good one. As of yet, it's a story without an ending. It teases the imagination.
However, I eventually started to understand what I think is Balter's strategy. Reading about the people excavating and analyzing Catalhoyuk helped me understand not only about the importance of archeological theory, but the WHY? behind an archeologist's proceedings.
I still crave a work that answers the questions that Balter's "characters" (for, he does present real people as characters and writes of them almost as if he's writing fiction - sometimes annoyingly going so far as to purport to know what a person was thinking or feeling in a given moment Balter didn't actually even witness firsthand) uncover and with which they all grapple. But their not knowing all the answers, their pondering and their theories about why people came to live as one big group is exactly what makes the story such a good one. As of yet, it's a story without an ending. It teases the imagination.
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April 13, 2007I loved this book! Catalhoyuk is an archeological dig located in Turkey, and it was one of the first real cities in human history. The book is filled with fascinating layman's information on archeological trends and how the "old school" vs "new school" scientists approach the task of uncovering these layers of a civilization that left no written record. The art of Catalhoyuk is very intruiging; most famous are the small, carved "mother goddess" or Venus figures that have actually been found all over Eastern and Western Europe. The marvels of scientific detection and myriad details, mysteries, and multiple questions about these first city-dwellers' lives kept me very interested throughout the whole book; in fact, I've already started another one ont he same subject.
One of my main interests about Catalhoyuk is what kind of spiritual beliefs these people had.
One of my main interests about Catalhoyuk is what kind of spiritual beliefs these people had.
June 29, 2010
Really fascinating. This book sticks to the facts only, and documents them alongside the stories of the various archaeologists and others who have been inspired by the site - and the excesses to which they have gone in promoting their "inspired" versions of the truth about the ruined city. This is not a book of New Age speculation, in other words, and debunks some of what has been speculated about Catalhoyuk since its discovery. I appreciate both the explanation of what was found, and what has happened since then. A very entertaining read, well written and fun!
January 4, 2015
This would be a great book to read for aspiring archeologists as it gives the backgrounds of all the people working on the Catal Hoyuk dig. It's a great primer about the process of an archeological dig. It goes into the different types of people involved, the history of this particular location, and some of the scientific techniques used to analyze the finds. Don't expect to find answers about what the Catal Hoyuk site was all about (since nobody really knows). Overall, an interesting read.
August 30, 2010
All the digging history of Catalhoyuk - from the first archaeologist who discovered it in the late 1950's and then ran afoul of the Turkish authorities to the reopening of the site by Ian Hodder in 1993.
It's a great story. Balter interviews most of the principals, reviews the intellectual arguments about archaeology altogether, and describes the dig up through 2004. I could hardly put it down.
It's a great story. Balter interviews most of the principals, reviews the intellectual arguments about archaeology altogether, and describes the dig up through 2004. I could hardly put it down.
August 24, 2013
I mostly enjoyed it, but it seemed really disjointed at times, and the ending was very abrupt. This is partially a history of the dig at Catalhoyuk, and partially about the findings of the dig. I think that dual purpose was also part of the problem of the book, as it really didn't focus on either.
December 28, 2013
Enjoyed the book, but was less interested in the story of the dig than in the story of Catalhoyuk itself. That said, there are no certain answers, and the story of the archeology itself helps us understand what we can and cannot know.
September 25, 2009
It's amusing me that the paperback edition now has a blurb from David Bowie on it, along with the usual academics. :)
April 23, 2024
history of Catalhayuk, of the oldest discovered village on earth, of matriarchal society? of the dawn of civilization. interesting.
August 18, 2013
Incredibly interesting book, made me want to visit the site in turkey. Quick and easy read
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews