Global Heritage Fund (GHF)
Saving Our Global Heritage

Çatalhöyük - The World's First City
Anatolia, Turkey - "at the threshold of civilization"

Dr. Ian Hodder, Professor, Stanford University

In size and complexity, Çatalhöyük was unlike any other site in the world. The earliest excavations between 1961 and 1965 by Dr. James Mellaart revealed more than 150 dwellings and rooms, many decorated with murals, plaster reliefs, and sculpture. Some scholars consider Çatalhöyük to be the world's first city, and its murals are unique.

After 1965, the site lay idle until 1993, when Ian Hodder of the University of Cambridge launched the Çatalhöyük Research Project. Working in collaboration with the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research at Cambridge and the British Institute for Archaeology at Ankara, Hodder has now completed twelve years of excavation and study as part of a 25-year program. The project's three principal aims are archaeological investigation of the site; conservation of architecture, murals, artifacts, and human remains; and management of the site, including interpretive programs for visitors.

For further information, see The University of Cambridge Çatalhöyük website: www.catalhoyuk.com.

About Global Heritage Fund
Global Heritage Fund is a non-profit, international conservancy formed to preserve and protect humankind’s most important archaeological and cultural heritage sites in developing countries. GHF’s timely investments, global network of experts, and advanced Preservation by Design methodology work together to create a ‘cycle of success’ for Global Heritage sites which have high potential for sustainable preservation, tourism and economic development.

Global Heritage sites in developing countries offer one of the most compelling foundations for national and regional economic growth. Angkor Wat, for example, now generates over 30% of Cambodia’s GNP through tourism revenues. Tikal National Park in Guatemala brings in over $200 million per year. GHF has current projects this year in twelve (12) GHF Epicenters for planning, conservation, training and community development. Our goal is to invest $15-20 million over the next ten years into forty Global Heritage sites threatened by neglect, destruction, mass tourism, and urban sprawl.

For further information, see the Global Heritage Fund website: www.globalheritagefund.org.