This study examines the evidence for differential mortuary practices at the Neolithic site of Çatalhöyük, in Anatolia, Turkey, using the histological examination of bacterial microbioerosion in archaeological human bone. In order to analyse bacterial microbioerosion, thin sections were prepared from the midshaft of thoracic ribs 6–8, of n = 162 individuals (adults and juveniles) and analysed using qualitative analysis of microscopic focal destructive changes with polarized light microscopy. The extent of destructive change was assessed, and the degree of preservation was examined using the Oxford Histological Index. Individual, in situ interment was assessed using burial and skeletal data. Results show no differences in histological bacterial microbioerosion between male and female burials, but histological preservation was seen to differ between juveniles and adults, findings that are interpreted as the result of differential mortuary practices at the time of death. The challenges and potential of examining recurring taphonomic signatures in bone histology and their relationship to differential burial practices are discussed.

中文翻译：

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从组织学成骨学解释房治疗：以新石器时代的Çatalhöyük为例

这项研究通过对考古人类骨骼中细菌微生化侵蚀的组织学检查，研究了土耳其安纳托利亚Çatalhöyük的新石器时代遗址不同differential葬方式的证据。为了分析细菌的微生物侵蚀，从n的胸肋6-8的中轴准备了薄切片。＝ 162个个体（成人和青少年），并使用偏光显微镜对显微镜下的局灶性破坏性变化进行定性分析。评估破坏性变化的程度，并使用牛津组织学指数检查保存程度。使用埋葬和骨骼数据评估了个体的原位嵌插。结果显示，男性和女性墓葬的组织学细菌微生物侵蚀没有差异，但未成年人和成年人之间的组织学保存却有所不同，这一发现被解释为死亡时不同葬方式的结果。讨论了检查骨组织学中反复出现的拓朴签名及其与不同埋葬方式的关系所面临的挑战和潜力。