3,500-Year-Old Seal Depicting an Eagle-Headed Human Found in Karahöyük

The newly discovered seal featuring a human figure with an eagle’s head, found in Karahöyük in central Türkiye, provides a rare insight into the identity, symbolism, and belief systems of Bronze Age society.

A Symbol of Power and Identity: The Eagle-Headed Human Seal

Archaeologists excavating the ancient settlement of Karahöyük, located in Konya’s Meram district, have uncovered a remarkable seal featuring a human body topped with an eagle’s head. Led by Assoc. Prof. Gonca Dardeniz Arıkan of Istanbul University’s Faculty of Letters, the team describes the artifact as one of the most significant finds of the excavation season.

According to Arıkan, seals in ancient Anatolia were more than administrative tools; they reflected social status, personal identity, and spiritual beliefs. “This seal shows how individuals expressed their worldview and faith through symbolic imagery,” she said. The discovery reinforces Karahöyük’s reputation as a settlement renowned for its distinctive seal-making tradition.

Burial Practices Reveal a Complex Ritual Landscape

Excavations also shed light on funerary customs that set Karahöyük apart from other Bronze Age settlements. Researchers identified infant burials placed beneath domestic floors, while adult remains were cremated and moved outside the settlement. The discovery of an altar-like structure and grave goods suggests these practices were deeply tied to spiritual beliefs.
“These burials indicate that infants were intentionally kept close to the household, perhaps as a way of remembering them as part of daily life,” said Arıkan.

Evidence of Squid Consumption and Long-Distance Trade

Large storage vessels, or pithoi, recovered from the site have revealed a surprisingly diverse diet. In addition to freshwater fish from Beyşehir Lake, archaeologists discovered traces of squid believed to have been imported from the Alanya coast. Bones of hare, deer, hyena, and cave bear further emphasize the region’s ecological richness.
These findings point to Karahöyük’s role as a hub in an extensive trade network more than 3,000 years ago, connecting inland Anatolia with coastal regions.

About Karahöyük

Karahöyük, situated in central Türkiye, is one of Anatolia’s most archaeologically significant mounded settlements, with layers of continuous occupation spanning thousands of years. Excavations are conducted under the “Heritage for the Future” initiative of the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, with support from Konya Metropolitan Municipality.