At the Roots of the Late Chalcolithic Society in the Anatolian Euphrates Valley

This article presents the earliest, V millennium BCE, occupation at the site of Arslante- pe. The excavations have brought to light a long sequence of overlying domestic structures particular- ly rich in material remains. Links with earlier Ubaid occupation in the same region (at the site of Değirmentepe) testify to the local development of these communities and similarities with contempo- rary occupation at the site of Oylum Höyük suggest contacts with the South-West. Radiocarbon dates and comparisons with other sites provide a date around 4300-4200BCE for these remains. Most in- teresting are the features of the domestic dwellings, which include an elaborate set of installations con- nected with the use of fire and objects for the production of foods. Modes of food production and con- sumption are here investigated on the basis of such data.