ABSTRACT
The Long Season, as it was called by the atalhyk team, officially began on April 1, 1999. Most of the archaeologists questioned the claims that James Mellaart and Marija Gimbutas had made about goddess worship at atalhyk. Early in June an unusual grave of an adult was uncovered. As June wore on, the core team realized that it was getting tired. The Long Season crew began to feel like it was about to be invaded. Eleni was an environmental archaeologist, devoted to understanding how humans in past societies interacted with other animals and plants to form an integrated ecosystem. Eleni Asouti had been only two years old when the seven-year dictatorship of the Greek generals came to an end and democracy was restored, but her parents discussed it often at the dinner table as she grew older. Eleni's arrival at atalhyk in 1999 filled a critical gap in the otherwise impressive collection of archaeological specialties represented at the site.
