Zooarchaeological insights into center and periphery dynamics in the Syro-Anatolian region during the Middle Bronze Age

Date

2026-06-01

Author

Grissa, Zeineb
Pişkin, Evangelia
AKAR, MURAT
Yener, K.Aslıhan

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The Middle Bronze Age in the Near East was a transformative period marked by significant political and economic shifts. It began with the collapse of centralized systems established during the Early Bronze Age, followed by the re-emergence of urbanism, renewed central authority, and the establishment of “international” trade networks. The Amuq Valley of Hatay, Türkiye, was central to these developments as it lies at the crossroads connecting the Levant, Mesopotamia, and Anatolia. Here, a large volume of trade, military / political struggles and cultural exchange was witnessed. While archaeological research in the region is extensive, zooarchaeological investigations remain comparatively limited. This study presents new data from two closely situated sites: Tell Atchana, a major center, and Toprakhisar Höyük, a peripheral settlement. The research examines how patterns of animal exploitation contributed to the socio-economic dynamics of the Middle Bronze Age (ca. 2100–1600 BCE) within a regional framework. Through analysis of species diversity, skeletal representation, and demographic profiles, it identifies central dietary species alongside evidence of variation in animal use and consumption practices across chronological phases. Comparative results suggest a mixed strategy at Toprakhisar, involving domesticates (caprines, pigs, cattle) and wild animals, and a caprine-focused exploitation at Atchana, potentially confirming their center-periphery roles.

Subject Keywords

Animal husbandry, Middle Bronze Age, Syro-Anatolian region, Tell Atchana, Toprakhisar Höyük

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https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?partnerID=HzOxMe3b&scp=105037404710&origin=inward
https://hdl.handle.net/11511/119253

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Graduate School of Social Sciences, Article