6,000-Year-Old Temple with Blood Channel and Altar Unearthed in Elazığ, Türkiye

A 6,000-year-old temple site has been discovered during archaeological excavations in the village of Tadım in Elazığ, eastern Türkiye. This significant find sheds new light on the region’s ancient past.

The excavations, coordinated by Türkiye’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism and carried out by the Elazığ Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism together with the Elazığ Museum Directorate, continue to unearth the rich historical heritage of the region. The work at Tadım Castle and Mound has revealed a temple area dating back to the Late Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Ages, approximately 6,000 years ago.

A Site of Ritual Sacrifice Uncovered

One of the most striking discoveries is a “blood channel”, where human and animal bones were found, along with a stone altar bearing cut marks. These findings strongly indicate that ritual sacrifices to deities were performed at the site.

In addition to the altar and blood channel, archaeologists uncovered a sacred hearth, multiple altars and podiums, ceramic shards, pottery in the Nakhchivan style, arrowheads, stamp seals, and a spindle whorl, all offering insights into the temple’s function and the daily life of the ancient society.

“We Have Discovered Our Region’s First Known Temple”

Ahmet Demirdağ, Director of Culture and Tourism for Elazığ Province, emphasized the historical importance of the discovery:

“This year, we unearthed what we can describe as the first known temple of our city and region. The presence of altars and sacrificial areas clearly points to ritual practices involving both animals and humans. A deep pit connected to the blood drainage channel was also found.”

Demirdağ noted that the site is still under excavation and that further layers could reveal even earlier phases of habitation. The findings already obtained provide significant details about the region’s religious beliefs, social life, and agricultural practices.

Early Signs of Urbanization Detected

Ergün Demir, the excavation site supervisor, explained that the structures were built using rubble stones and mudbrick, materials that offered resistance against invasions and natural disasters. He added:

“We’ve found evidence of dense, adjacent construction, which clearly shows early urban planning and increased settlement density during this period.”

Traces of a 6,000-Year-Old Civilization

The artifacts uncovered at the site demonstrate that Elazığ was not only a significant location today, but also a major settlement area in antiquity. The idols, tools for daily use, and agricultural seals discovered at the site confirm that the region has been continuously inhabited and culturally active for thousands of years.