Latest news with #Anatolian
DW
an hour ago
- Science
- DW
Prehistoric matriarchy in Turkey revealed by DNA analysis – DW – 07/29/2025
Genetic analysis of bodies from a 9,000-year-old settlement has revealed clues pointing to unusual societal structures. As far back as the 1960s, archaeologists had a feeling that Catalhoyuk was something special. And not just because the Neolithic settlement was one of the oldest continually inhabited places in the world. Researchers believed that women had an elevated societal position in Catalhoyuk, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site in contemporary Turkey. But that hunch was only based on figurines they had found and believed to represent Anatolian mother goddesses. Only with the methods of modern archaeology were researchers able to turn their feelings into fact: Society in the Catalhoyuk of 9,000 years ago was centered around women. An international research team led by geneticists from the Middle East Technical University in Ankara published their findings in the journal . The researchers came to their conclusion after examining 131 skeletons they had discovered buried right under houses the people of Catalhoyuk had inhabited. DNA analysis showed that people buried under the same house were often related — on their mother's side. In other words, when a man and a woman entered a partnership in the Neolithic settlement, they moved in with the family of the woman, not that of the man. Households were formed on a matrilineal basis. And there was another indication that women had a higher status than men: Archaeologists found as many as five times the grave goods buried with female bodies than with male ones. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video In the more recent past, patrilineal households, where women move in with their male partner's family after marriage, were more common — and formed a patriarchy. So, does the reverse mean that the residents of Catalhoyuk, who lived from about 7100 to 6000 B.C.E., lived in a matriarchy? Not necessarily, said prehistoric archaeologist Eva Rosenstock, who took part in the excavation in Catalhoyuk and researches scientific and cultural archaeology. "Whether a society is matrilocal or patrilocal generally doesn't tell you anything about who has the power," Rosenstock told DW. "But those things often go hand in hand." Digging up, if you will, usable DNA for genetic analysis was not an easy feat for the researchers. Catalhoyuk was located in a region with a continental climate, with strong fluctuations between winter and summer. Under these conditions, even teeth, which were known until recently as one of the best source of DNA, do not keep forever. But there is a tiny part of the human body that has turned out to be the perfect source of DNA in adverse conditions such as those in the Catalhoyuk region: the petrous part of the temporal bone, located in the inner ear. "It's like a DNA safe!" said Rosenstock. It was through analyzing the material in this "DNA safe" that researchers discovered the matrilineal relationship between people buried under the same house. But not all people buried under the same house were related. The archaeologists assume that it wasn't out of the ordinary in Catalhoyuk society to switch children, so that your child would grow up in a different family close by. This was probably done in an effort to guarantee equal distribution of resources and, according to experts, points to society valuing the idea of equal rights for all. "If your own child grows up three doors down, you're probably not going to advocate for just your household to get the best of everything," said Rosenstock. But how did a society valuing equality and centered on women turn into the patriarchy that has dominated Central Europe in the more recent past? Rosenstock doesn't have an answer — at least not yet: "That's the next exciting question."
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Lamb 'Identifying as a Dog' Has Internet in Stitches
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A TikTok video showing two guard dogs sprinting alongside their unlikely companion, a lamb named Richard, has captured the hearts of viewers across the platform. The charming clip shared to an account dedicated to the trio @richardandtheguardians features Richard racing alongside Chumley, a Kangal/Anatolian shepherd mix and Chloe, a Great Pyrenees/Anatolian cross. Layered text on the video reads, "another successful day of Richard identifying as a dog," a humorous nod to the lamb's canine-like antics that has earned more than 212,000 views. Despite their serious job as livestock protectors, Chumley and Chloe seem to have fully embraced Richard as one of their own—and he clearly agrees. The scene captioned "he really commits," has delighted viewers, many of whom admitted they initially mistook Richard for just another dog in the frame. "I had to watch a second time [because] I didn't notice him at first and thought they were all dogs," one user confessed. Another commented, "Even runs like a dog" while a third said, "The best part is the rest of the pack has accepted him as one of their own." Though the video showcases a wholesome and unexpected bond, the dogs were not purchased for companionship. They were brought in to protect their owner's livestock from predators—an increasingly serious issue in the U.S. According to a 2016 Farmers Weekly report, predation accounts for one-third of all sheep and lamb losses in the U.S., equating to around 190,000 animals annually out of a flock of 5.2 million. This results in an estimated $33.3 million loss for the industry with coyotes responsible for 60 percent of these fatalities. A stock image of working dog in the field with a sheep. A stock image of working dog in the field with a sheep. Brent Asay/iStock / Getty Images Plus Chumley and Chloe are part of two ancient and revered guardian dog lineages. The Anatolian shepherd, originating in Asia Minor, was initially a hunting dog and later became a skilled livestock protector known for its speed, agility and independence. The Great Pyrenees by contrast developed in the Pyrenees Mountains between France and Spain and was named the "Royal Dog of France" in the 17th century. Calm, intelligent and highly independent, these dogs have guarded flocks for centuries without the need for human oversight. While their heritage is steeped in duty and defense, Chumley and Chloe's relationship with Richard is a heartwarming reminder that even the most serious working dogs can form unlikely friendships. Despite Richard's antics, the large dogs seem to tolerate him with remarkable patience. In other videos, the farm animal is seen headbutting them and tapping their legs with his hoof to demand attention—yet the dogs barely bat an eyelid. Newsweek reached out to @richardandtheguardians for comment. We could not verify the details of the case. Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Forbes
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Where To Listen To Jazz In Istanbul
People visiting Galata tower at dusk, Istanbul - Turkey getty Some of the best parts of Istanbul come out at night — case in point: jazz clubs. Istanbul has a small but mighty jazz scene with plenty of jazz clubs across the city featuring both local talent and international musicians. Whether you're looking for something easily walkable from the Galataport and Karaköy or you're hoping to find something a little bit more low-key on the Anatolian side of the city, here are some of the top spots in Istanbul for enjoying a night of jazz: Nardis Jazz Club is one of the most famous spots to catch a jazz show in Istanbul and it's also conveniently located a few minutes from the Galataport, making it easy for overnight cruisers to enjoy a jazz show. The intimate club gets very busy and seats are on a first-come, first-served basis, so you'll want to arrive right when the doors open in order to grab the best tables. Bova Jazz Club is another very centrally-located venue that is easy for travelers to get to when visiting Istanbul; like Nardis Jazz Club, Bova is just off Taksim Square. The cozy venue has live performances every single night with an emphasis on modern and contemporary jazz. Pera 77 in Beyoğlu is tucked into the Marmara Pera and boasts a bit of a higher-end feel than your typical cozy jazz club. Along with an excellent nightly lineup of musicians, this jazz club also boasts great artisanal cocktails and a variety of tasty bites and larger meals should you arrive peckish. Walking into a jazz performance at Gregor Jazz Club feels akin to stepping into a roaring twenties New Year's Eve party. The Art Deco-inspired space is cozy but sophisticated, while the menu ranges from high-end cocktails to artisanal snacks and larger plates. The club fills up quickly but bar seats tend to be available last minute. Living Room Art Cafe & Social Club Hoping to catch a jazz show on the Asian side of Istanbul? Head to Living Room Art Cafe & Social Club in Kadıköy. The performance venue isn't strictly jazz, so you'll want to check the schedule before showing up, but there are frequent jazz performances as well as other live music genres that are just as worthwhile checking out.
DW
23-07-2025
- Science
- DW
Prehistoric matriarchy in Turkey revealed by DNA analysis – DW – 07/23/2025
Genetic analysis of bodies from a 9,000-year-old settlement revealed clues pointing to unusual societal structures. As far back as the 1960s, archaeologists had a feeling that Catalhoyuk was something special. And not just because the Neolithic settlement was one of the oldest continually inhabited places in the world. Researchers believed that women had an elevated societal position in Catalhoyuk, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site in contemporary Turkey. But that hunch was only based on figurines they had found and believed to represent Anatolian mother goddesses. Only with the methods of modern archaeology were researchers able to turn their feelings into fact: Society in the Catalhoyuk of 9,000 years ago was centered around women. An international research team led by geneticists from the Middle East Technical University in Ankara published their findings in the journal Science. The researchers came to their conclusion after examining 131 skeletons they had discovered buried right under houses the people of Catalhoyuk had inhabited. DNA analysis showed that people buried under the same house were often related — on their mother's side. In other words, when a man and a woman entered a partnership in the Neolithic settlement, they moved in with the family of the woman, not that of the man. Households were formed on a matrilineal basis. And there was another indication that women had a higher status than men: Archaeologists found as many as five times the grave goods buried with female bodies than with male ones. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video In the more recent past, patrilineal households, where women move in with their male partner's family after marriage, were more common — and formed a patriarchy. So, does the reverse mean that the residents of Catalhoyuk, who lived from about 7100 to 6000 BCE, lived in a matriarchy? Not necessarily, said prehistoric archaeologist Eva Rosenstock, who took part in the excavation in Catalhoyuk and researches scientific and cultural archaeology. "Whether a society is matrilocal or patrilocal generally doesn't tell you anything about who has the power," Rosenstock told DW. "But those things often go hand in hand." Digging up, if you will, usable DNA for genetical analysis was not an easy feat for the researchers. Catalhoyuk was located in a region with continental climate, with strong fluctuations between winter and summer. Under these conditions, even teeth, which were known until recently as one of the best source of DNA, do not keep forever. But there is a tiny part of the human body that has turned out to be the perfect source of DNA in adverse conditions such as those in the Catalhoyuk region: the petrous part of the temporal bone, located in the inner ear. "It's like a DNA safe!" Rosenstock said. It was through analyzing the material in this "DNA safe" that researchers discovered the matrilineal relationship between people buried under the same house. But not all people buried under the same house were related. The archaeologists assume that it wasn't out of the ordinary in Catalhoyuk society to switch children, so that your child would grow up in a different family close by. This was probably done in an effort to guarantee equal distribution of resources and, according to experts, points to society valuing the idea of equal rights for all. "If your own child grows up three doors down, you're probably not going to advocate for just your household to get the best of everything," said Rosenstock. But how did a society valuing equality and centered on women turn into the patriarchy that has dominated Central Europe in the more recent past? Rosenstock doesn't have an answer — at least not yet: "That's the next exciting question."
The Star
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Centuries-old oil wrestling festival once again draws crowds in Turkiye
Young wrestlers competing during the annual Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling championship in Edirne. — KHALIL HAMRA/AP With wrestlers taking to the field to the beat of drums echoing through Turkiye's northwestern border city of Edirne, the centuries-old oil wrestling festival once again draws enthusiastic crowds and celebrates a rich cultural legacy. The week-long 664th edition of the Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival took place recently, culminating in the crowning of this year's baspehlivan – the top titleholder in traditional oil wrestling. The baspehlivan title represents the pinnacle of strength and skill, as well as the deep honour and respect central to Turkish oil wrestling's heritage. Listed by Unesco as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, the festival traces its roots to 1361, when Ottoman commander Sultan Murad ordered a wrestling match in honour of 40 warriors following the conquest of Edirne. Since then, it has evolved into a cherished summer tradition, deeply woven into Turkiye's cultural fabric. A young wrestler getting doused in oil during the festival. This year, around 800 wrestlers from across Turkiye attended the festival, competing in 14 weight categories at Edirne's historic Sarayici arena. Some wrestling enthusiasts who travelled to Edirne for the event had to camp around the iconic Selimiye Mosque after the city's hotels reached full capacity. 'I came all the way from Kayseri, a central Anatolian province, just to witness this tradition firsthand,' said Metin Eren, a wrestling fan who pitched a tent near the mosque. 'Finding a hotel was impossible, but it doesn't matter – being here and watching the matches up close is worth everything.' Ayla Kaya, a vendor selling traditional snacks near the wrestling grounds, said that the Kirkpinar festival draws large crowds to Edirne, making it the busiest time of year for her business. 'I take great pride in sharing local flavours with visitors from all over Turkiye and even beyond,' she said. The sporting event is not only a showcase of strength and tradition but also a symbol of unity, cultural pride, and growing international appeal, according to Edirne's first female mayor, Filiz Gencan Akin. 'Kirkpinar is more than just a competition. It's a living tradition that carries the soul of our heritage,' Akin said. 'We've prepared for this event for an entire year,' she added. 'We upgraded the stadium, created a dedicated gastronomy area, and set up a special marketplace to highlight Edirne's rich cultural and culinary offerings.' As this year's event concluded, Akin shared that the municipality will begin reviewing areas for improvement ahead of next year's edition. 'We're developing international promotion strategies so that more people around the world can discover Edirne and this unique tradition,' she said. – Xinhua
