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 – Taş Tepeler” led by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, has once again revealed groundbreaking finds. A team headed by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Emre Güldoğan of Istanbul University is conducting excavations that have so far unearthed 12 skulls from two separate chambers, further expanding the understanding of the site’s ritual significance.

Last year, archaeologists identified a structure they dubbed the “skull room,” where dozens of crania were discovered. New findings from this year indicate a diverse demographic range, with remains belonging to individuals from infants as young as six months to adults around 40 years old, according to anthropological analysis by Prof. Dr. Yılmaz Selim Erdal of Hacettepe University.

Architectural Clues to Ritual Practices

Excavations have also revealed that the chamber’s bedrock had been carefully smoothed, with precisely carved pits in the limestone floor, suggesting ceremonial use. The team is currently working in six excavation trenches, combining archaeological, botanical, and restoration studies to reconstruct the Neolithic settlement’s architecture and ritual landscape.

“Last year we documented a total of 31 skulls, and with these 12 new finds, we’re gaining a more complete picture of Sefertepe’s role in understanding Neolithic spiritual and social systems,” said Assoc. Prof. Güldoğan.
He emphasized that ongoing restoration work is focusing on reassembling fragmented T-shaped pillars and other significant artifacts uncovered in previous seasons.

Taş Tepeler: Expanding the Story of the First Temples

The Taş Tepeler (Stone Hills) initiative encompasses over a dozen archaeological sites across Şanlıurfa Province, including the world-famous Göbekli Tepe, often described as the world’s first temple complex. Sefertepe has emerged as a crucial site in this network, offering evidence of early skull cult practices and advanced architectural planning dating back to the Pre-Pottery Neolithic period (10th millennium BCE).

These discoveries are reinforcing the region’s reputation as a cradle of complex ritual behavior, challenging traditional narratives of early human societies as simple hunter-gatherer communities.