New Archaeological Discoveries in Turkey Shed Light on Early Human Settlements

New Archaeological Discoveries in Turkey Shed Light on Early Human Settlements
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Turkey has unveiled a series of significant archaeological discoveries at major prehistoric sites in the southeast, offering new insight into humanity’s shift from nomadic lifestyles to permanent settlements more than 11,000 years ago, Reuters reported. The findings come from the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Gobeklitepe and the nearby Karahantepe area in Sanliurfa province — regions considered central to understanding the origins of organised society.

Officials announced the discovery of around 30 new artefacts, including statues, figurines, decorated vessels, jewelry, and beads. Among them was a remarkable stone sculpture described as having a facial expression resembling someone who had died — a rare example of symbolic representation relating to death rituals in early Neolithic communities.

Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy noted that these discoveries continue to reshape knowledge of early civilisation, revealing advanced expressions of belief systems, social structure, and craftsmanship. Turkey refers to these related excavation areas as the “Stone Mounds” project, covering a network of 12 Neolithic sites dating back to around 9,500 BC.

Gobeklitepe and Karahantepe are known for their large oval-shaped monumental structures featuring T-shaped stone pillars up to 28 metres in diameter. The pillars are thought to represent humans and are adorned with animal reliefs. A recent excavation uncovered the first known depiction of a human face on such a pillar — a milestone in prehistoric art.

Excavation leader Necmi Karul said the project challenges earlier assumptions that settled life followed the advent of agriculture. Instead, evidence suggests these communities were still hunter-gatherers who had already developed permanent living spaces and complex cultural practices.