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Dance of the Cranes: Crane symbolism at Çatalhöyük and beyond

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Nerissa Russell  and
Kevin J. McGowan
Nerissa Russell
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA (Email: nr29@cornell.edu)
Kevin J. McGowan
Affiliation:
Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
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Abstract

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In this article, the authors reveal the symbolic role of cranes at Neolithic Çatalhöyük, Turkey. Worked bones of the Common Crane (Grus grus) are interpreted as coming from a spread wing used in dances, a ritual practice perhaps connected with the celebration of marriage.

Keywords

NeolithicAnatoliaÇatalhöyükbirdszooarchaeology
Type
Research
Information
Antiquity , Volume 77 , Issue 297 , September 2003 , pp. 445 - 455
Copyright
Copyright © Antiquity Publications Ltd. 2003

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