Türkiye is home to the world’s oldest architectural discovery
Türkiye’s oldest archaeological site offers more than just an educational experience; it encourages visitors to peel back the layers of history and step into a world shaped by their distant ancestors.
The land of great transformation
Surrounding Türkiye’s southern province of Şanlıurfa is a collection of twelve mounds that have revealed insights into the dawn of civilization. Together, these settlements make up what is now known as Taş Tepeler, an area that extends some 200 kilometers on a vast plateau—and where travelers can embark on one of the longest journeys through time.
Dating back almost 12,000 years to the beginning of the Neolithic Age, Taş Tepeler is a showcase of what life was like during this relatively unknown period. It has emerged as the cornerstone in one of history’s greatest transformations, when hunter-gatherers began living off the land. It was at this time that the earliest villages emerged, stratified society formed, and basic trade developed.
Türkiye has long been regarded as a historical marvel but, with these new findings, the country serves as the missing link between our knowledge of prehistoric times and the modern world.
A shift in historical knowledge
Of these mysterious mounds, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Göbeklitepe was the first in a line of historical discoveries. Excavated in the mid 1990’s, it was thought to hold the oldest known examples of architecture on Earth, preceding the Egyptian pyramids and Stonehenge by several thousand years.
With less than 10% of Göbeklitepe having been uncovered, visitors can watch on as archaeologists continue to dig into a world of buried secrets. Those that have reached the surface, however, offer an opportunity to experience an ancient reality.
Observe the T-shaped limestone pillars that measure five meters tall and weigh up to 15 tons. Erected in several circular enclosures and engraved with images of nature, these monumental structures are indicative of the agricultural lifestyle of Neolithic settlers. Not seen anywhere else in the world, historians believe them to be the very first communal buildings for social events and rituals.
Of these mysterious mounds, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Göbeklitepe was the first in a line of historical discoveries. Excavated in the mid 1990’s, it was thought to hold the oldest known examples of architecture on Earth, preceding the Egyptian pyramids and Stonehenge by several thousand years.
With less than 10% of Göbeklitepe having been uncovered, visitors can watch on as archaeologists continue to dig into a world of buried secrets. Those that have reached the surface, however, offer an opportunity to experience an ancient reality.
Observe the T-shaped limestone pillars that measure five meters tall and weigh up to 15 tons. Erected in several circular enclosures and engraved with images of nature, these monumental structures are indicative of the agricultural lifestyle of Neolithic settlers. Not seen anywhere else in the world, historians believe them to be the very first communal buildings for social events and rituals.
No smaller than its neighboring archaeological site, it displays ancient remains on a similar scale and with just as much allure. Visitors can discover a network of interconnected rock-cut chambers, including one containing eleven curious columns. Under the watchful eyes of a human face carved into the adjacent stone wall, these columns were likely used for ceremonial purposes.
Excavations at Karahantepe also reveal the largest known human statue of the Neolithic Age. Almost three meters tall, it is one of the most impressive models of realist art from this time.
The artists of prehistoric times
Steeped in history equal to Göbeklitepe, travelers should continue tracing the steps of time in Karahantepe.
No smaller than its neighboring archaeological site, it displays ancient remains on a similar scale and with just as much allure. Visitors can discover a network of interconnected rock-cut chambers, including one containing eleven curious columns. Under the watchful eyes of a human face carved into the adjacent stone wall, these columns were likely used for ceremonial purposes.
Excavations at Karahantepe also reveal the largest known human statue of the Neolithic Age. Almost three meters tall, it is one of the most impressive models of realist art from this time.
While in the south, marvel at signs of the first residential area to be built. Evidence of daily life is not rich in Taş Tepeler, but Sayburç is one of the few mounds where visitors can imagine the everyday happenings of settlers. They can swap their surroundings for images of a fertile environment, where lush forests, winding rivers, and varied wildlife once thrived.
For those seeking more of Taş Tepeler’s greatest finds, they can visit the Şanlıurfa Archaeology Museum. Hosting the world’s largest Neolithic collection, the museum showcases unique pieces, including a replica of Göbeklitepe’s biggest enclosure, the latest discoveries from Karahantepe, and a life-size human statue from nearby Balıklıgöl.
Signs of sophisticated civilization
Just west of Karahantepe is Sayburç, where two settlements have been discovered, providing visitors with a double dose of wonderment. In the north, witness an impressive relief inscribed with illustrations of humans, leopards, and bulls—representing the most detailed depiction of a Neolithic story found to date.
While in the south, marvel at signs of the first residential area to be built. Evidence of daily life is not rich in Taş Tepeler, but Sayburç is one of the few mounds where visitors can imagine the everyday happenings of settlers. They can swap their surroundings for images of a fertile environment, where lush forests, winding rivers, and varied wildlife once thrived.
For those seeking more of Taş Tepeler’s greatest finds, they can visit the Şanlıurfa Archaeology Museum. Hosting the world’s largest Neolithic collection, the museum showcases unique pieces, including a replica of Göbeklitepe’s biggest enclosure, the latest discoveries from Karahantepe, and a life-size human statue from nearby Balıklıgöl.
As excavations continue in Taş Tepeler, archaeologists continue to reveal the mysteries of the Neolithic Age. The more archaeological data, the better picture visitors can make of this ancient world—and the more they can contribute to the preservation of its storied past.
