Excavations Begin at Karahantepe, Contemporary of Göbeklitepe; Structure to be Unearthed for First Time

Excavations are underway at Karahantepe, a significant archaeological site in Turkey's southeastern Şanlıurfa province. The site, considered a contemporary of the famed Göbeklitepe, is part of the broader Taş Tepeler Project. This year's focus is on a unique four-sided structure that was partially uncovered during the previous excavation season.

Archaeologists anticipate making important discoveries within this structure, which is believed to have served a special purpose. The Taş Tepeler Project, encompassing Göbeklitepe, Karahantepe, and other nearby Neolithic settlements, aims to shed light on the lives of early humans during the Pre-Pottery Neolithic period. These sites represent a crucial transition in human history, marked by the development of settled communities and monumental architecture.

The ongoing work at Karahantepe is expected to yield further insights into the social, cultural, and architectural practices of the people who inhabited the region over 11,000 years ago. The discoveries contribute to a growing understanding of the origins of civilization in Mesopotamia and the Fertile Crescent.