Çatalhöyük vulture wall paintings in homes linked to mortuary rituals. Çatalhöyük wall paintings show large birds hovering over decapitated human figures Paintings were on walls of living rooms and bedrooms, not temples or public spaces People buried family members under floors and displayed ancestor skulls on mantles
Çatalhöyük (7500-5700 BC) wall paintings show vultures hovering over decapitated figures—on bedroom walls, not temples. Excavator Ian Hodder confirmed skull removal and vulture imagery were closely linked to death ritual.
Key Facts
- Çatalhöyük wall paintings show large birds hovering over decapitated human figures
- Paintings were on walls of living rooms and bedrooms, not temples or public spaces
- People buried family members under floors and displayed ancestor skulls on mantles
- Skulls were repeatedly painted, buried, and brought up again for rituals
- Excavator Ian Hodder confirmed vultures and skull removal are linked to death ritual
- The practice reflects daily interaction with death and vultures in village life
Related site: Çatalhöyük — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.
Source: Vultures were the first "angels" (a 12k year old story) by Timeless with Fred Snyder