‘Star Watcher’ Figurine Found in Gedikkaya Cave Could Rewrite Human History

Archaeological excavations carried out between 2019 and 2023 in Gedikkaya Cave, located in Bilecik Province, northwest Türkiye, have uncovered groundbreaking evidence that could reshape the narrative of early human settlement. Among the remarkable discoveries is a marble figurine known as the “Star Watcher,” which is believed to date back to the Chalcolithic period (5500–3500 BCE) and may even predate the famous site of Göbekli Tepe.

Led by Associate Professor Deniz Sarı from Bilecik Şeyh Edebali University, and under the supervision of the Bilecik Museum, the excavations revealed multiple layers of human activity. Radiocarbon analysis suggests that the earliest human presence in the cave dates to the Epipaleolithic period, around 16,500 years ago — long before many other known settlements.

A Figurine That Crossed Regions and Eras

The marble artifact, carved in the Kilia style, represents a highly stylized human figure with minimal facial features — typically associated with Aegean cultures. Its discovery deep inland, far from the Aegean coast, suggests previously unknown interactions between distant communities during prehistoric times.

According to Dr. Sarı, the presence of this object in Gedikkaya Cave indicates that groups migrating from southwestern Anatolia likely brought cultural elements with them, briefly settling in the area before moving on.

“The Star Watcher figurine found here, although typical of Aegean coastal sites, was unearthed in the depths of the Anatolian interior. That makes this find exceptionally important in understanding the spread of early cultures,” Sarı stated.

A New Chapter in the Story of Human Settlement

Gedikkaya Cave offers compelling evidence that this region may have been one of the first places where humans transitioned from nomadic to settled life. With its mouth opening to the north and extending southward into the hillside at an elevation of 354 meters, the cave also sits within a broader archaeological landscape that includes Classical and Medieval ruins, along with an ancient necropolis.

Artifacts recovered from the cave, including the Star Watcher figurine and numerous bone and stone tools, are now on display at the Bilecik Museum, offering the public a rare glimpse into early human history in Anatolia.