13,000-Year-Old Beads Unearthed in Direkli Cave Reveal Origins of Aesthetic Culture in Anatolia

Archaeologists in Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye, have uncovered dozens of Epipaleolithic beads dated between 9,500 and 14,000 BCE at Direkli Cave. The discovery highlights the region’s role as a crossroads of cultural exchange and artistic expression.

Located in the Onikişubat district of Kahramanmaraş, the Direkli Cave has once again yielded remarkable finds that shed light on prehistoric life in Anatolia. During the 2025 excavation season, archaeologists unearthed a large number of decorative beads crafted from stone, bone, and seashells, dating back to the Epipaleolithic period.

The excavation team, led by Prof. Dr. Cevdet Merih Erek of Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University, worked across eight excavation squares, reaching from the third to the eighth archaeological layers. According to Erek, the finds prove that the cave’s inhabitants were not only focused on survival through hunting and gathering but also placed great importance on adornment and aesthetic expression.

A Window Into Prehistoric Expression

The beads, some fire-treated and painted with red ochre, demonstrate a strong inclination toward self-decoration and differentiation within the community. “The people of Direkli Cave valued artistic expression as much as subsistence. These beads should be seen as a reflection of their social identity and creative mindset,” Erek explained.

A Hub of Cultural Interaction

Animal remains—particularly wild goat bones and horns—indicate that Direkli Cave communities maintained direct connections between the Caucasus and Anatolia. This suggests that the site was not isolated but rather part of a dynamic network of movement and cultural interaction across a wide geography.

A Site With Longstanding Significance

Excavations at Direkli Cave began in 2007 and have since revealed a wealth of prehistoric material, including a mother goddess figurine, Paleolithic remains, agricultural tools, burials, and 13,000-year-old bone needles. The newly discovered beads further underline the site’s role in illuminating the origins of art, symbolism, and identity in early Anatolia.

Cover Image: Sinan Doruk/AA