Monday, November 10 2025

Tag: Neolithic archaeology

Karahantepe Offers Clues That Göbeklitepe Was More Than a Ritual Site
Written by October 26, 2025

Karahantepe Offers Clues That Göbeklitepe Was More Than a Ritual Site

Anatolian News . Southeastern Anatolia Article

New excavations at Karahantepe, one of the key sites of the Taş Tepeler Project in southeastern Türkiye, are reshaping how archaeologists interpret the world’s earliest monumental centers.According to excavation director Prof. Dr. Necmi Karul, the newly uncovered structures suggest that these places were not only used for rituals but also formed part of organized Neolithic

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.
Written by October 6, 2025

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

Anatolian News . Southeastern Anatolia Article

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

Gobekli Tepe
Written by September 24, 2025

Göbeklitepe Exhibition to Open in Berlin’s Museum Island with 96 Artifacts in 2026

Anatolian News Article

Türkiye’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism has announced that Göbeklitepe, one of the world’s most iconic Neolithic sites and a UNESCO World Heritage property, will be presented in a major international exhibition in Germany. Deputy Minister Gökhan Yazgı confirmed that “Myths in Stone: Göbeklitepe and the World of the Last Hunters” will open in February