Monday, October 13 2025

Category: Southeastern Anatolia

3,000-Year-Old Public Building Unearthed in Soğmatar, the Sacred City of the Moon God Sin

3,000-Year-Old Public Building Unearthed in Soğmatar, the Sacred City of the Moon God Sin

Archaeologists in southeastern Türkiye have unearthed a 3,000-year-old public building in Soğmatar, an ancient sanctuary dedicated to the Moon God Sin. The discovery, made under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s “Heritage for the Future Project”, pushes the history of the site back to the Neo-Assyrian period, revealing new layers in the spiritual and administrative

Unique Architectural Detail Unveiled: The “Fingerprint Dome” of Saint George Church Reopens in Diyarbakır

Unique Architectural Detail Unveiled: The “Fingerprint Dome” of Saint George Church Reopens in Diyarbakır

The 1,800-year-old Saint George Church in Diyarbakır has reopened after a meticulous restoration, revealing a striking architectural feature: a brick dome resembling a human fingerprint. Believed to carry the personal mark of its ancient architect, the structure is drawing thousands of visitors and renewed global attention. Located within the historic İçkale Museum Complex, the Saint

Archaeologists have uncovered a T-shaped pillar carved with a human face at the Neolithic site of Karahantepe in southeastern Türkiye — a discovery described as a first in human history. The finding was announced by Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy on his official X (Twitter) account, where he wrote: “Karahantepe — A first in history! Within the scope of our Taş Tepeler Project, a T-shaped pillar with a human face has been unearthed for the first time.” The discovery forms part of the Taş Tepeler (Stone Hills) Project, a long-term archaeological initiative led by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, which explores the earliest stages of human settlement and symbolic expression in the Şanlıurfa region. A Turning Point in Neolithic Symbolism For decades, the T-shaped pillars of Göbeklitepe and Karahantepe have been interpreted as stylized human figures, primarily due to the carved arms and hands visible on many examples. Yet, this new pillar — the first to bear a carved human face — marks a major leap in understanding how early Neolithic societies perceived themselves. The pillar’s face, featuring deep-set eyes, a pronounced nose, and sharp contours, resembles other human sculptures from Karahantepe. Experts say the find reflects not only the craftsmanship of early Anatolian communities but also their emerging capacity for abstract and self-referential thought. From Symbol to Identity Until now, these T-shaped monoliths were thought to serve either as structural elements or abstract human representations. The new find, however, provides the first direct depiction of the human visage, offering a rare glimpse into the earliest stages of self-image in human history. Karahantepe and the Taş Tepeler Network Dating back approximately 12,000 years, Karahantepe is one of several interconnected sites in the Taş Tepeler region, which also includes Göbeklitepe, Sefertepe, Sayburç, Harbetsuvan Tepesi, and Çakmaktepe. These settlements continue to reshape our understanding of humanity’s transition from nomadic life to organized, temple-centered communities. Together, they position Anatolia as one of the earliest centers of symbolic architecture and spiritual innovation.

A Historic First at Karahantepe: Human-Faced T-Shaped Pillar Unearthed in Türkiye

Archaeologists have uncovered a T-shaped pillar carved with a human face at the Neolithic site of Karahantepe in southeastern Türkiye — a discovery described as a first in human history. The finding was announced by Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy on his official X (Twitter) account, where he wrote: “Karahantepe — A

Çayönü excavation, Neolithic burials Turkey, Early Bronze Age graves, Diyarbakır archaeology, Ergani mound, 11,000-year-old skeleton, Anatolian prehistory, Neolithic Anatolia, Bronze Age Anatolia, Çayönü Tepesi

5,000- and 11,000-Year-Old Burials Unearthed at Çayönü: Shedding Light on Neolithic and Bronze Age Anatolia

Archaeologists working at the Neolithic settlement mound of Çayönü, in Ergani district of Diyarbakır, Türkiye, have unearthed six ancient burials—five from the Early Bronze Age, about 5,000 years old, and one dating back 11,000 years to the Neolithic period. The discovery provides crucial evidence of how one of humanity’s earliest farming communities buried and remembered

Human-Statue-Gobeklitepe

12,000-Year-Old Human Statue Unearthed at Göbekli Tepe

Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy has announced the discovery of a human statue embedded in a wall at Göbekli Tepe, the world’s oldest known temple complex in southeastern Türkiye. The artifact, believed to have been placed as a votive offering, is expected to provide groundbreaking insights into Neolithic rituals and belief

12 Ancient Human Skulls Unearthed at Sefertepe

12 Ancient Human Skulls Unearthed at Sefertepe, Offering New Insights into Neolithic Rituals

Archaeologists excavating the prehistoric site of Sefertepe in southeastern Türkiye have uncovered 12 additional human skulls dating back approximately 10,500 years. The discovery, part of the landmark “Taş Tepeler” (Stone Hills) project, sheds new light on Neolithic ritual practices in the region. Sefertepe, one of the key Neolithic sites under the “Şanlıurfa Neolithic Research Project

Ancient Church Dating Back 1,700 Years Discovered in Diyarbakır: Evidence of Byzantine Expansion East of the Euphrates

Ancient Church Dating Back 1,700 Years Discovered in Diyarbakır: Evidence of Byzantine Expansion East of the Euphrates

Archaeologists working in Türkiye’s southeastern Kulp district have uncovered the remains of a Roman-era church built around the mid-4th century A.D.. The discovery, made during excavations led by the Diyarbakır Museum Directorate, has provided striking evidence of Byzantine activity far beyond the traditional boundaries of the empire. The site, located in the rural village of

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

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

Sayburç Excavations Reveal 12,600-Year-Old Neolithic Settlement with Over 50 Structures

Archaeological excavations in Şanlıurfa, southeastern Türkiye, are shedding new light on one of the most critical turning points in human history. At the Sayburç Neolithic settlement, researchers have uncovered more than 50 structures dating back 12,600 years. The excavations are part of the “Taş Tepeler Project”, a large-scale initiative led by the Ministry of Culture

Egyptian God Pataikos Unearthed in Perre Ancient City

First in Anatolia: Figure of the Egyptian God Pataikos Unearthed in Perre Ancient City

A discovery in Perre Ancient City (Adıyaman, Türkiye) has not only excited archaeologists but also reshaped how we look at the cultural links between Anatolia and Egypt. In one of the five great cities of the Kingdom of Commagene, excavations revealed a 2,100-year-old chamber tomb containing a figure of the Egyptian protective god Pataikos. Egyptian

1 2 3 10