Exciting discovery at Karahantepe: 11,000-year-old sculpture found

An extraordinary discovery has been made at the Karahantepe archaeological site in Turkey's Şanlıurfa province, with the unearthing of a unique 11,000-year-old sculpture. Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy announced the find, highlighting its unprecedented style.

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We have unearthed a unique 11,000-year-old sculpture at Karahantepe!

The composite sculpture, standing 70 centimeters tall, depicts a human figure seated atop a leopard. It was discovered on a ledge along the wall of a structure with a 3-meter diameter and a flat stone floor. This artifact dates back approximately 11,000 years, offering a tangible link to humanity's distant past.

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Within the 2026 excavations we are conducting as part of our 'Heritage for Future Project,' we found a composite sculpture with a style unlike any seen before.

Minister Ersoy expressed his belief that this discovery will prompt new questions within the scientific community regarding the earliest periods of human history. He extended his gratitude to the General Directorate of Cultural Assets and Museums, the excavation team, scientists, and all personnel involved in the project.

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The 70-centimeter-high sculpture, which has reached us from the place it was left approximately 11,000 years ago, depicts a human sitting on the back of a leopard.

The find is part of the "Heritage for Future Project" and represents a significant addition to the ongoing excavations in 2026. The unique artistic style and the subject matter of the sculpture are expected to generate considerable interest and further research into the Neolithic period in the region.

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This discovery, which opens the door to new questions about the earliest periods of human history, I believe will resonate widely in the scientific world.