Çamlıbel Tarlası: Late Chalcolithic Echoes

Beneath the wind-scoured plateau of Çorum Province, the Late Chalcolithic layers at Çamlıbel Tarlası (dated 3651–3376 BCE) hold skeletons that bridge the Neolithic agricultural revolution and later Bronze Age transformations. Archaeological data indicates occupation during a period when communities in central Anatolia intensified farming, crafted fine ceramics, and negotiated long-distance exchange networks. Material remains from nearby Late Chalcolithic sites suggest settlement continuity in the region, though large-scale urbanism had not yet appeared.

The genetic signal from the Çamlıbel Tarlası individuals aligns with this archaeological picture: maternal lineages dominated by mtDNA K and paternal lineages with a notable presence of haplogroup G point to ancestry related to Anatolian and Near Eastern farming populations rather than purely steppe-derived groups. Limited stratigraphic resolution and the moderate sample size mean interpretations must remain cautious; however, the combined archaeological and genetic evidence paints a scene of rooted farming households, local social networks, and selective interaction with neighbouring regions.

Twelve Late Chalcolithic individuals from Çamlıbel Tarlası provide a modest but informative ancient DNA dataset. Maternal lineages are dominated by mtDNA K (6/12), with additional haplogroups HV1 (2), T2b (1), H5 (1), and U (1). These maternal types are commonly associated with Neolithic and post‑Neolithic farmer populations in Anatolia and the Near East, consistent with archaeological expectations of agricultural communities.

On the paternal side, haplogroup G appears in 4 of the 12 male-associated samples. Y‑G is observed in multiple Near Eastern and Caucasus contexts and is often interpreted as part of the broader Anatolian/Levantine genetic substrate rather than a steppe‑derived signature. The mix of mtDNA and Y‑DNA here suggests population continuity with earlier Neolithic groups, along with the possibility of regional gene flow.

Caveats: with 12 samples the dataset is moderate — not exhaustive. While patterns point toward Anatolian farmer ancestry and local male continuity, the sample size and geographic coverage limit fine-grained inference about social structure, migration pulses, or sex-biased mobility. Future larger datasets and wider regional comparisons will refine these early conclusions.