The archaeological sites of Göbekli Tepe and Karahantepe, located in the Turkish city of Şanlıurfa, are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and are recognized as some of the earliest settlements of human civilization. It is estimated that these sites have a history of 12,000 years and stand out by providing valuable information about the earliest Neolithic societies.
Each time, scientists during excavations obtain findings that make it possible to understand humanity’s past more deeply. This time, however, a truly unique discovery was made: the world’s oldest three-dimensional mythological figurines were found. Archaeologists uncovered artifacts sealed in a special way with sterile red soil and carrying symbolic meaning. Experts described this discovery as “the discovery of the century for the Neolithic.”
The excavations revealed various stone vessels, plates, small animal figurines, stone sticks, and beads. All of them were filled with red soil and found sealed. Additionally, bones of wolf, leopard, vulture, and fox were placed around the clusters. The surfaces of the vessels were decorated with fine geometric patterns, images of animals, and stylized human figures.
What most astonished the archaeologists was the discovery of figurines from a small vessel covered with a stone lid. Inside were three animal figurines — a fox, a vulture, and a wild boar. According to researchers, the vulture figurine may have slipped out of the ring after the vessel was sealed. In Neolithic iconography, these species are usually depicted on large monuments or architectural elements. However, such small three-dimensional figurines have been found in situ for the first time.
Previously, two-dimensional depictions were often discovered in the Şanlıurfa region, but this time the figurines differ in that they were arranged in a specific order. The composition inside the small vessel and its careful placement into a larger vessel are perceived as a three-dimensional story. Undoubtedly, this discovery is described as one of the most important steps in understanding the Neolithic.
Excavations in Karahantepe are being carried out within the framework of the “Heritage to the Future” project. Göbekli Tepe has been at the center of world attention in recent years — in 2024, it was visited by more than 709 thousand tourists. Most visitors also go to Karahantepe.
The exhibition “Golden Age of Archaeology,” opened in the exhibition hall of the Presidential Palace in Ankara, further highlighted the significance of these discoveries. Artifacts found in Karahantepe, along with other historical objects, are being displayed there. This exhibition also reflects the country’s commitment to archaeological heritage.
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