James Mellaart

James Mellaart FBA (14 November 1925 – 29 July 2012) was an English archaeologist and author who is noted for his discovery of the Neolithic settlement of Çatalhöyük in Turkey. He was expelled from Turkey when he was suspected of involvement with the antiquities black market. He was also involved in a string of controversies, including the so-called mother goddess controversy in Anatolia, which eventually led to his being banned from excavations in Turkey in the 1960s. After his death it was discovered that he had forged many of his "finds", including murals and inscriptions used to discover the Çatalhöyük site.

James Mellaart
Mellaart at Çatalhöyük
Born(1925-11-14)14 November 1925
London, United Kingdom
Died29 July 2012(2012-07-29) (aged 86)
London, United Kingdom
Other namesJimmy Mellaart
Occupation(s)Archaeologist, forger
Years active195191
SpouseArlette Meryem Cenani 19542012 (his death)
ChildrenAlan Mellaart
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