Bronze Age Idols Unearthed in Western Türkiye: 4,500-Year-Old Ritual Treasures Found at Tavşanlı Höyük

Archaeologists have uncovered a remarkable collection of 4,500-year-old human-shaped idols at Tavşanlı Höyük, one of the largest Bronze Age settlements in Western Anatolia. The discovery, announced by Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, includes marble, bone, and terracotta figures that provide unprecedented insights into the spiritual and domestic life of the Early Bronze Age.

Ritual Idols Around a Hearth

The most striking find is a group of seven human-shaped idols carefully placed around a hearth. Archaeologists believe this deliberate arrangement reflects ritual practices tied to fire and divinity. In Bronze Age households, the hearth symbolized warmth, sustenance, and protection, often doubling as a sacred space for offerings and ceremonies.

Experts suggest the idols may have represented ancestors, protective spirits, or deities invoked during domestic or communal rituals. Unlike isolated figurine finds common in prehistoric contexts, this cluster offers direct evidence of ritual activity inside a living space.

Daily Life and Craftsmanship

Alongside the idols, excavators also uncovered unfinished ceramic vessels, shedding light on Bronze Age production methods. These artifacts demonstrate how raw clay was shaped and fired, linking household spirituality with economic life.

The dual presence of ritual objects and workshop materials indicates that Tavşanlı Höyük functioned not only as a settlement but also as a religious and cultural hub with skilled production.

Minister Ersoy highlighted the importance of the discoveries in a statement:

“Artifacts dating back 4,500 years have been unearthed at Tavşanlı Höyük. The idols and ceramics provide unique clues about the religious rituals, cultural life, and economic activities of Bronze Age Anatolia.”

Excavations, led under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, will continue until mid-December. Researchers expect further finds will illuminate the urban layout, ritual practices, and regional connections of Tavşanlı Höyük, reinforcing its place as a key site in Bronze Age Anatolia.