TÜBA-AR Türkiye Bilimler Akademisi Arkeoloji Dergisi

Öz

The article is devoted to an ancient tradition in the burial practices of the peoples of Asia Minor and Central Asia,
dating back to the Neolithic Period, namely exposing the dead to be eaten by birds or animals. Exposing the dead
was performed at designated areas of natural character (mountains, hills), and special constructions, described in
ancient Persian sources (Avesta) with a special term, “dakhma”. After the “purification” of bones from the flesh,
the remains were buried in rooms (the sanctuary of Çatal Hüyük) or in graves (Bactria). The practice of exposing
the dead to the mercy of birds of prey - vultures - is recorded on monuments with figurative representations of the
Neolithic Period in ancient Anatolia (reliefs of Göbeklitepe and murals of Çatal Hüyük). Çatal Hüyük’s paintings
clearly illustrate the custom and at the same time are the earliest examples of narrative art. This burial tradition is
observed also in the archaeological material and in works of small forms of Central Asia (Bactria, Margiana) of Late
Bronze Age. Of great interest in this respect are two seals originating from Bactria. However, the custom of exposing
the dead for purification continued in Central Asian and Iran regions for many centuries until the arrival of Islam in
these lands. This is evidenced by the data of ancient authors and medieval written sources. One variety of this rite in
Central Asia can be observed in the ossuary rite of burial. Remnants of this ancient custom of purification bones are
fixed also in the ethnographic material of Central Asia until the late of Middle Ages.