Oldest houses

The oldest houses in the world are at neolithic Çatalhöyük in present-day Turkey, dating from around 7,500–5,700 BC. Around 5,000–8,000 residents occupied mud-brick homes that were entered via roof-top holes that also served for smoke ventilation.

Inside, the houses were simply lime-plastered and had a single main living space of c. 6 x 4 m (20 x 13 ft), plus storage to the sides. There were kept very clean, and often had colourful murals both inside and out.