A Historic First at Karahantepe: Human-Faced T-Shaped Pillar Unearthed in Türkiye
Archaeologists have uncovered a T-shaped pillar carved with a human face at the Neolithic site of Karahantepe in southeastern Türkiye — a discovery described as a first in human history. The finding was announced by Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy on his official X (Twitter) account, where he wrote: “Karahantepe — A
Göbeklitepe Exhibition to Open in Berlin’s Museum Island with 96 Artifacts in 2026
Türkiye’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism has announced that Göbeklitepe, one of the world’s most iconic Neolithic sites and a UNESCO World Heritage property, will be presented in a major international exhibition in Germany. Deputy Minister Gökhan Yazgı confirmed that “Myths in Stone: Göbeklitepe and the World of the Last Hunters” will open in February
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
12,000-Year-Old Human Statue Unearthed at Göbekli Tepe
Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy has announced the discovery of a human statue embedded in a wall at Göbekli Tepe, the world’s oldest known temple complex in southeastern Türkiye. The artifact, believed to have been placed as a votive offering, is expected to provide groundbreaking insights into Neolithic rituals and belief
12 Ancient Human Skulls Unearthed at Sefertepe, Offering New Insights into Neolithic Rituals
Archaeologists excavating the prehistoric site of Sefertepe in southeastern Türkiye have uncovered 12 additional human skulls dating back approximately 10,500 years. The discovery, part of the landmark “Taş Tepeler” (Stone Hills) project, sheds new light on Neolithic ritual practices in the region. Sefertepe, one of the key Neolithic sites under the “Şanlıurfa Neolithic Research Project
Sayburç to Feature a Village Museum Showcasing Neolithic Heritage and Urfa’s Living Culture
In Şanlıurfa’s Sayburç, one of the key sites of Türkiye’s “Taş Tepeler Project,” archaeologists plan to preserve 9,000-year-old Neolithic remains while also creating a unique village museum that highlights the region’s mid-20th-century rural life. Excavations at the early Neolithic settlement of Sayburç, located in the heart of Türkiye’s historic Şanlıurfa province, are revealing not only
Sayburç Excavations Reveal 12,600-Year-Old Neolithic Settlement with Over 50 Structures
Archaeological excavations in Şanlıurfa, southeastern Türkiye, are shedding new light on one of the most critical turning points in human history. At the Sayburç Neolithic settlement, researchers have uncovered more than 50 structures dating back 12,600 years. The excavations are part of the “Taş Tepeler Project”, a large-scale initiative led by the Ministry of Culture
Archaeologists Uncover Early Neolithic Structures at Mendik Tepe, Potentially Older Than Göbekli Tepe
Excavations at Mendik Tepe, a prehistoric site in southeastern Türkiye, are advancing rapidly and may reveal evidence older than Göbekli Tepe, the UNESCO World Heritage site widely regarded as the “zero point of history.” Professor Douglas Baird of the University of Liverpool’s Department of Archaeology, who leads the excavation, reported that structures of different sizes
Türkiye’s Culture Minister Ersoy on Göbeklitepe: “We Are Committed to Shedding Light on Human History”
On the 7th anniversary of Göbeklitepe’s inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List, Türkiye’s Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, emphasized the country’s ongoing efforts to preserve and study the site—often described as the “zero point of history.” Sharing his message via social media, Minister Ersoy stated: “Göbeklitepe, the oldest and most striking
Karahantepe to Welcome Visitors in 2025
Rising in the mystical atmosphere of Şanlıurfa, in the shadow of Göbekli Tepe, Karahantepe draws attention as an important archaeological site that unlocks the secrets of the Neolithic Age. The impressive artifacts unearthed since the excavations began in 2019 transform Karahantepe from just an archaeological site into a time journey that sheds light on human