Çatalhöyük

Çatalhöyük is a Neolithic settlement mound near Küçükköy, in the Çumra district of Konya province. It lies 10 km east of Çumra and 48 km from Konya city centre. Two mounds rise up to 20 m above the plain. The eastern mound holds 18 levels of Neolithic settlement, dated 7400–6200 BC. James Mellaart found the site in 1958, and UNESCO listed it in 2012.

Roofed shelters, the North and South Shelters, cover the two main excavation areas. Inside are mudbrick houses built wall to wall, with no streets between them. People entered through openings in the roof by wooden ladders. The walls were plastered and painted, and some had bull heads modelled in clay. A replica house near the visitor centre shows a furnished interior.

The path between the two shelters crosses open ground. Allow about one and a half to two hours. Check current opening hours before you go.