This Web site is designed for those interested in the ongoing excavations at Çatalhöyük, Turkey. Its aim is to provide information about the activities of the Project and of the different aspects of the research being conducted at Çatalhöyük.

The Neolithic site of Çatalhöyük was first discovered in the late 1950s and excavated by James Mellaart between 1961 and 1965. The site rapidly became famous internationally due to the large size and dense occupation of the settlement, as well as the spectacular wall paintings and other art that was uncovered inside the houses.

Since 1993 an international team of archaeologists, led by Ian Hodder, has been carrying out new excavations and research, in order to shed more light on the people that inhabited the site.

Recent additions

The Çatalhöyük On-Line Visitor's Guide is now available!

Read here how to get to the site if you plan to visit in person.

A Brief History of the Çatalhöyük Excavations

On September 29th 2001 the Mysteries of Çatalhöyük Exhibit opened at the Science Museum of Minnesota. The exhibit closed in April 2002 but read more, and see some photos here...

Read the Newsletters for more information about the project

If you are visiting Turkey, come and see the excavations: The site can be visited throughout the year, a neolithic house is on permanent display.

Take part in the Çatalhöyük Discussion Group.

Read the winning entries of the British Airways competitions.

A dialogue with the Goddess community: a discussion between Ian Hodder and Anita Louise

Find out about the Çatalhöyük Scholarship Fund. Read more ...

• Archive reports for previous years
• Microartefact distribution plots produced for Building 1 in 1997
• Çatalhöyük papers  presented at the Theoretical Archaeology Group Conference (TAG) in 1996.
• Excavation Diaries.
• Excavation Database.
• About Data Categories.
• North Area Excavations 1995-1999: Interim statement