THE ZERO POINT OF HISTORY FOR TODAY

KARAHANTEPE

AN ARCHEOLOGICAL TREASURE IN URFA - TURKIYE

Karahantepe, also known as Karahan Tepe, is an archaeological site located in Şanlıurfa province, Turkey. Situated 46 km from Urfa’s city center, Karahantepe was first discovered  in 1997 and Currently, the excavation work at Karahantepe is being led by Prof. Necmi Karul.. Excavations at Karahantepe have unearthed unique structures contemporary with Göbekli Tepe and a human statue bearing a leopard on its back. These statues are now exhibited at the Şanlıurfa Archaeology Museum. One notable structure, carved into bedrock and measuring 8×6 meters, is believed to have been built for special purposes. In the center of the structure’s long wall, there is a human head protruding from the rock with a neck resembling a snake, depicting a male figure. Opposite this head, four phallus-shaped pillars are placed in the front row, with six more in the back row. These findings suggest the structure may have served ritualistic functions.

Karahantepe, similar to Göbekli Tepe, which is on UNESCO’s World Heritage Tentative List and recognized as the world’s oldest known temple complex, has gained significant attention for its excavations and discoveries. The site has revealed public-oriented structures built for specific purposes, numerous huts showing traces of daily life, “T”-shaped monolithic pillars decorated with animal motifs, and an abundance of statues of animals and humans, with a particular emphasis on human figures. These findings shed light on early human civilization and culture.

Excavations in the area containing 250 Neolithic pillars began in September 2019, dating the site back approximately 12,000 years—an era that challenges historical narratives,

HISTORY MUST BE REWRITTEN

BC 10K

Prof. Dr. NECMİ KARUL

 

HEAD OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS
AT  KARAHAN TEPE

 

 

Currently serving as the Head of Excavations for the Taş Tepeler Project, including Göbekli Tepe and Karahan Tepe, Prof. Dr. Necmi Karul also holds the position of Chair of the Prehistoric Archaeology Department at Istanbul University. Karahan Tepe dates back approximately 12,000 years to the earliest phases of the Neolithic Period. Surface surveys and geomagnetic measurements indicate the presence of numerous structures, including monolithic pillars. Prof. Dr. Karul has highlighted the significance of Karahan Tepe’s location within the Tek Tek Mountains National Park, suggesting it offers an ideal setting for a project that harmonizes with its surroundings and provides a new perspective for understanding the Göbekli Tepe Culture.

Constructed around 10,000 BC, Karahan Tepe, like Göbekli Tepe, holds many mysteries within its massive T-shaped monolithic pillars. In a recent interview, Prof. Karul discussed the Taş Tepeler Project, which examines the beginnings of settled life through concurrent research led by multinational teams in the region. He noted, ‘The transition to settled and productive lifestyles signifies the process that laid the foundation for today’s social structures. For this reason, we refer to this area, where we currently conduct excavations at 10 sites, as the Geography of the Great Transformation. We are studying the “last hunter-gatherers and the first settled communities,” and this region is one of the most significant places to observe this transformation. Taş Tepeler provides us with invaluable insights into humanity’s prehistoric contributions from Anatolia, the prehistoric environment, and unique evidence of cognitive transformation that took place 12,000 years ago.’“

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