Gazelle behaviour and human presence at early Neolithic Göbekli Tepe, south-east Anatolia

Research at Göbekli Tepe reveals that Persian gazelles exhibited migratory behavior during the early Neolithic period, with seasonal presence aligning with human activities such as feasting and rituals. Stable isotope analysis of carbon, oxygen, and strontium in gazelle teeth and bones, combined with zooarchaeological data, suggests that high game density in the southern Anti-Taurus piedmont coincided with human gatherings at this significant ritual center. This finding provides insights into the ecological and behavioral dynamics of gazelles during a pivotal period in human cultural history, offering a unique perspective on the interplay between early human societies and their environment.

Lang, C., Peters, J., Pöllath, N., Schmidt, K., & Grupe, G. (2013). Gazelle behaviour and human presence at early Neolithic Göbekli Tepe, south-east Anatolia. World Archaeology, 45(3), 410–429. https://doi.org/10.1080/00438243.2013.820648