THE ARCHITECTURAL AND SOCIAL SIGNIFICANCE OF HEARTHS IN THE MONUMENTS OF THE JEITUN CULTURE: ON THE EARLIEST FORMS OF ATTITUDES TOWARD FIRE

Abstract

This article examines the architectural, functional and social significance of hearths identified at Neolithic sites of the Jeitun culture in southern Turkmenistan. The main objective of the study is to investigate the spatial distribution and functions of hearths within Jeitun culture settlements and to explore early attitudes toward fire among Neolithic farming communities based on archaeological evidence. The study is based on comparative analysis of materials from Jeitun, Chopan Depe, Togolok Depe, Chagylli Depe, Pessejik Depe and Monjukli Depe.
The results demonstrate that hearths constituted an integral element of domestic architecture throughout the Jeitun cultural area. Analysis of the second architectural horizon at Jeitun revealed that hearths were predominantly located along the eastern and northern walls of dwellings, reflecting stable architectural traditions in the organization of domestic space. Comparative analysis further indicates common patterns in the placement and functions of hearths across different Jeitun culture settlements.
The available archaeological evidence does not support the existence of a developed fire cult among Jeitun communities. Nevertheless, the regular occurrence of hearths in all dwellings, their standardized placement and their central position within domestic architecture suggest the emergence of a particular social and symbolic attitude toward fire during the Neolithic period.