9,500-Year-Old Communal Structure with Red Floor Discovered at Türkiye’s Çayönü Tepesi

Archaeologists working at Çayönü Tepesi, a world-renowned Neolithic settlement in southeastern Türkiye, have unearthed a 9,500-year-old communal building distinguished by its vividly painted red floor. The discovery provides rare insight into early agricultural societies and the evolution of social organization in one of humanity’s earliest permanent villages.

Excavations, which first began in 1964, are now directed by Assoc. Prof. Savaş Sarıaltun of Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University. Sarıaltun emphasizes that this newly revealed structure was not a residence but a public gathering space, potentially used for meetings, ceremonies, or other communal purposes.

A Centerpiece of Neolithic Social Life

The building, unearthed in the eastern sector of the settlement during the 2025 excavation season, dates to 7600–7500 BCE. Archaeologists estimate it was in use for 150–200 years, with its floor repainted at least four times, demonstrating its long-term significance to the community.

Sarıaltun describes the find as exceptional within Çayönü’s archaeological record:

“This building is unlike any domestic structure we’ve uncovered here. Its proximity to the famous Terrazzo Building and its vibrant painted floor mark it as a focal point of social and ceremonial life in early Çayönü.”

Mastery of Natural Pigments Nearly 10,000 Years Ago

Preliminary studies indicate that the red tones were achieved using ochre pigments or naturally occurring red clay sourced from the surrounding mountains. The skillful application of pigments highlights the aesthetic awareness and material expertise of these early agriculturalists.

Çayönü Tepesi: A Cradle of Early Civilization

Located in the Upper Mesopotamian region, Çayönü Tepesi is recognized as one of the world’s most important sites for understanding the Neolithic Revolution—the pivotal transition from hunting and gathering to farming, animal domestication, and metallurgy. Together with nearby sites like Göbeklitepe and Nevali Çori, Çayönü offers an unparalleled record of technological and cultural innovation spanning over 10,000 years.

Why This Discovery Matters

This latest find adds a new dimension to Çayönü’s 60-year excavation history. The red-floored structure is seen as a key piece of evidence in reconstructing Neolithic social systems, reflecting a level of community planning and ritual practice previously unknown at the site.

Cover Image Credit: Ömer Yasin Ergin/AA