Japanese Princess Akiko Launches Excavations at Ayanlar Höyük: Türkiye–Japan Partnership Expands the Taş Tepeler Project

A new chapter has opened in Şanlıurfa’s prehistoric landscape. As part of Türkiye’s landmark Taş Tepeler Project—one of the most ambitious archaeological initiatives in the country’s history—excavations have officially begun at Ayanlar Höyük. The opening ceremony was marked by the symbolic first strike of the shovel by Türkiye’s Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy and Her Imperial Highness Princess Akiko Mikasa of Japan.

From Kalehöyük to Ayanlar: Four Decades of Shared Archaeology

The project represents the continuation of a cultural partnership that began nearly 40 years ago, when Japanese archaeologists initiated long-term excavations at Kalehöyük in Kırşehir in 1985. The Ayanlar Höyük excavation now extends this collaboration to Şanlıurfa, the heart of the Taş Tepeler sites. In a symbolic gesture, the wooden tools first used at Kalehöyük were once again employed to break ground at Ayanlar.

Unlocking the Secrets of the Pre-Pottery Neolithic

Prof. Dr. Necmi Karul, coordinator of the Taş Tepeler Project, emphasized the international importance of the collaboration:

“Göbeklitepe and Karahantepe have already transformed our understanding of prehistory with their monumental stone enclosures. Ayanlar Höyük may reveal similar ritual spaces. The participation of Japanese scholars demonstrates the global significance of this project.”

Prof. Dr. Yoshihiro Nishiaki, Director of the University of Tokyo Museum, added:

“Before agriculture and animal husbandry began, this region produced massive communal structures. We expect Ayanlar Höyük to hold similar surprises. This excavation is not only a scientific endeavor but also a symbol of the enduring friendship between Türkiye and Japan.”

Cultural Diplomacy Meets Science

Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Gökhan Yazgı highlighted the growing role of international cooperation in the project, recalling last year’s World Neolithic Congress in Şanlıurfa, which gathered more than 1,000 scholars:

“Türkiye, through Taş Tepeler and Göbeklitepe, has become a global focal point of Neolithic research.”

Why Ayanlar Höyük Matters

Situated within the Taş Tepeler cluster, Ayanlar Höyük is considered a potential new key to understanding the world’s first monumental architecture. Archaeologists expect the site to shed light on communal rituals, social organization, and symbolic practices of the Pre-Pottery Neolithic period—making it one of the most significant digs of the coming years.

Cover Photo: DHA