Science had a great article on Çatalhöyük (there are various spellings) a few years ago that reviews the latest research, as of 1998 [“THE FIRST CITIES: Why Settle Down? The Mystery of Communities”, DOI: 10.1126 / science.282.5393.1442]. There’s even a website of the latest excavations at Çatalhöyük. Be warned, though: it’s not that exciting. The Science article should keep your attention.
I found some of the speculation amusing, especially in light of Jane Jacobs’s earlier writings saying that mining probably led to permanent dwellings and villages, not agriculture:
Many archaeologists are parting company with the view that settled life and agriculture were closely linked. “We have always thought that sedentism and agriculture were two sides of the same coin,” says Algaze. “But as we start getting into the nitty-gritty details across the world, it becomes increasingly clear that while they are very much related, they are not necessarily coterminous.”
Like that’s so revolutionary. People who talk about good management techniques trumping IT spending are just as bad.
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