New observations on pre-pottery Neolithic earrings and lip labrets at Boncuklu Tarla. Age, gender and social identity

Abstract

New data from the excavations at Boncuklu Tarla reveal that objects previously classified as ambiguous stone artefacts, tokens, or more commonly stone earplugs, are, in fact, labret earrings. The discovery of these objects in situ during the excavations has, more specifically, led to a reevaluation of their definition. Our study of the burials in which these objects were found not only validate their use as body ornaments but also provide further data highlighting their significance. We can now engage in a discussion of concepts such as individual and social identity, taking into account the age and gender of the individuals associated with these objects. This article therefore aims to discuss the earrings and labrets recovered from burial contexts during the 2017 excavation season at Boncuklu Tarla, establishing their typology and focusing on the age and gender of the deceased wearing them, while reinterpreting them through the lens of identity.