Human ancestors 9,000 years ago also faced urban problems

Human ancestors from about 9,000 years ago have faced modern urban problems such as overpopulation, violence and environmental hazards.

This is the conclusion of the International Biological Archeology team that explores modern urban issues thousands of years ago.

The study was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, which describes the way people live in Central-Southern Turkey when they move from hunting to nomadic Agricultural lifestyle.

Catalhoyuk ancient ruins.

Catalhoyuk Ancient Ruins began as a small settlement dating back to about 7,100 BC, known by scientists as the Early Period . The settlement peaked from around 6,700 to 6,500 BC, known as the Middle Period , after which the population fell rapidly in the Late Period .

The researchers found that during the peak period of the population in the settlement of 3,500 to 8,000 people, the residents lived in very crowded conditions, houses built like apartments without distance. between.

In addition, garbage pits and animal sheds are built right next to the house, causing sanitation problems, one of the causes of infectious diseases.

According to the study, up to a third of the early excavations were shown evidence of the remaining infection on the bone.

Poor living conditions also contribute to increased violence in this community. Of the 93 skull bones unearthed at this site, 25 have cracked healings and 12 have more than one trauma.

Most wounds lie on the top of the head or behind the head, indicating that the victim did not face the opponent when they were attacked.

According to Clark Larsen, professor of anthropology at Ohio State University, the lead author of the study, the team found a number of cases of increased traumatic brain injury during the largest population and the thickest density in ancient settlements.

From this finding, it is possible to identify the overloaded population leading to increased stress and conflict in the community.