Integrating art, landscape, and archaeology: Investigations of prehistoric wall paintings at Çatalhöyük

The wall paintings from Çatalhöyük, Turkey, form one of the largest sources of complex art on domestic buildings from the Neolithic period and provide a complete context within which to examine the relationships between art and artists’ materials. To date, materials and paintings have been studied separately: this thesis integrates these aspects for the first time. These links become apparent through a comprehensive analysis of the seventy-seven decorated walls and fifty-five samples of mineral colourants over the occupation of the site from 7,400-6,000 BC. A typological and spatial analysis of wall paintings is conducted using a new database of painted images. These data are then synthesised with the use of colourants for an examination of the connection between the art and its materials. To see how colour use changes over time, the occurrences of pigments are tracked in multiple contexts including paintings and burials. The life cycle of pigments is examined starting with the broader landscape in which minerals are sourced. The research design includes X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Results identify standard information about primary minerals of pigments, but go further to characterise secondary minerals, to better understand sourcing and processing. These more detailed findings identify distinctions within pigment groups, specifically the iron oxide and copper pigments, and increase our knowledge of connections between the pigments and the landscape. This thesis explores innovation in artists’ materials and art in prehistory, and charts developments as they occur in images and materials over time, giving rise to a reinterpretation of the paintings. Evidence supports a more robust re-reading of several paintings from the site, especially the ‘Volcano and City Plan’ mural. This illustrates the knowledgeable engagement of peoples at Çatalhöyük with the exploration of their landscape, architecture, materials, and experience, culminating in the creation of extraordinary paintings.