Where is Karahantepe located and how was Karahantepe discovered?
Karahantepe Mound is situated in southeastern Türkiye, approximately 55–60 kilometers east of Şanlıurfa’s city center. It is located within Tek Tek Mountains National Park on one of its limestone hills, between the Harran and Viranşehir plains, at an elevation of about 700 meters above sea level. Known locally as “Keçilitepe,” the site was first discovered archaeologically in 1997. During a surface survey, archaeologist Dr. Bahattin Çelik detected the upper parts of several T-shaped pillars and introduced Karahantepe to the scholarly community. For years, the site remained overshadowed by Göbeklitepe until systematic excavations began in 2019 under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Necmi Karul of Istanbul University.
When excavations first began, the stones visible on the surface hinted at a rich history hidden beneath. Intensive excavations in 2019 uncovered more than 250 pillars just underground. Then came the COVID-19 pandemic, which paused the work for some time. Once research resumed, progress quickly picked up, and in 2022, Karahantepe was officially designated an archaeological site, placed under protection, and opened to visitors.
From Göbeklitepe to Karahantepe: The “Taş Tepeler” (Stone Hills) project
Known as the “ground zero of history,” Göbeklitepe, a Neolithic temple site, gained international recognition when it was inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2018. Karahantepe, a settlement site established during the same period and located in the same region as Göbeklitepe, attracts attention because of its similar cultural features. Both sites date back around 12,000 years, to the pre-pottery Neolithic period (10,000–2,000 BCE), and reveal that hunter-gatherer communities of that time built monumental structures. These discoveries once again highlight the critical role of this region in understanding the Neolithic era.
Launched in 2021 by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Türkiye, the Taş Tepeler Project is a comprehensive archaeological effort to study all Neolithic settlements in Şanlıurfa and its surrounding areas. The name “Taş Tepeler” refers to almost a dozen prehistoric mounds, with Göbeklitepe and Karahantepe at its core. Other sites in this network include Sefertepe, Hamzan Tepe, Taşlı Tepe, Sayburç, Çakmaktepe, and Nevali Çori. Collectively, the Taş Tepeler region serves as a unique outdoor laboratory for exploring the transition from hunter-gatherer societies to settled communities, the development of monumental architecture, and the rise of a rich symbolic world.
T-shaped pillars and circular structures at Karahantepe
Excavations at Karahantepe have uncovered an advanced example of monumental architecture in the region. Surface surveys show that the mound comprises four main sections, each serving a distinct function. On the western and eastern terraces, T-shaped pillars with visible tops at the surface are arranged to form circular structures. At the center of the mound, archaeologists discovered a circular architectural complex approximately 23 meters in diameter. Surrounding this are smaller chambers and annexes built directly onto it. The fact that the building can be entered from one side by stairs and exited on the other suggests it may have been designed for special ceremonies. The architectural remains uncovered at Karahantepe highlight the impressive engineering skills and symbolic worldview of the people from this era.
According to the head of excavations, the site is notable for presenting purpose-built public structures with clusters of huts that reveal traces of daily life, together. So far, more than 250 T-shaped pillars have been uncovered here. Like those at Göbeklitepe, the Karahantepe pillars are carved from limestone and shaped to resemble the letter “T” when viewed from above. Their surfaces are decorated with animal reliefs, likely representing totemic creatures or mythological symbols of the period. While foxes, snakes, and bulls are motifs frequently seen at Göbeklitepe, carvings of fox heads have been identified on the pillars of Karahantepe, along with other animal figures. What distinguishes Karahantepe, however, is the much greater prominence of human imagery. In addition to the pillars, there are numerous three-dimensional statues and reliefs depicting humans. Archaeologists have discovered many small human figurines, as well as composite sculptures showing humans alongside animals. Leopard depictions are also striking at the site, including multiple carved leopard heads and even a statue of a man carrying a leopard on his back.
The architectural layout of the Karahantepe excavation site reveals that the ritual spaces and daily living areas of the people were interconnected. Around large structures built for special purposes, archaeologists found numerous hut-like shelters arranged in semi-circular forms. Inside these smaller structures, traces of hearths, grain-grinding stones, and everyday items show that they were used as homes. In other words, Karahantepe demonstrates that a settled village life existed around the monumental buildings intended for worship or gatherings. This discovery answers the long-standing question: “Were sites like Göbeklitepe built only for ceremonies, or were they inhabited as well?” At Karahantepe, both communal ritual spaces and residential homes have been found together, providing clear evidence of the shift to a settled way of life.
The discovery and significance of a human-faced pillar at Karahantepe
Perhaps the most remarkable discovery at Karahantepe is the pillar with a human face. Brought to light during the 2025 excavation season, this artifact is the first of its kind among known Neolithic pillars. Dating back roughly 12,000 years, the pillar features a carved human face at the top, featuring a prominent brow ridge, deep-set eye sockets, and a blunt, forward-protruding nose. Stylistically, the figure matches the full-body human statues previously found at Karahantepe, suggesting a shared aesthetic language across the site.
The human-faced, T-shaped pillar has generated significant excitement in the archaeological community. Following the arm-and-hand reliefs found at Göbeklitepe, this marks the first occurrence of a pillar with a facial depiction on its “head.” It confirms that these monoliths were direct representations of humans. Additionally, it shows that Neolithic people not only possessed impressive technical skills but also the ability for abstract thinking and self-expression.
This discovery has led to new interpretations of the pillars’ meaning. Once seen merely as architectural features, they are now believed to be connected to ancestors or symbolic figures of the community. The example at Karahantepe supports this idea, showing that the stone columns had a portrait-like quality. Researchers are conducting digital scans and microscopic analyses of the pillar to examine its carving techniques and search for traces of paint. What is certain is that this artifact from Karahantepe has become one of the earliest examples of humans projecting their own image onto stone.
The beginnings of settled life at Karahantepe: Agriculture, bread, and community life
Karahantepe and the broader Taş Tepeler region contain some of the earliest evidence of humanity’s transition from hunting and gathering to farming and settled life. After nearly three million years of nomadic life, this lifestyle ended in these areas around 10,000 BCE. For the first time, people remained in one place, built structures, and established permanent settlements. The huts, remains, and everyday objects found at Karahantepe reveal that people lived in communities there. Studies indicate that 11,500–12,000 years ago, people gathered to cook and share meals, providing evidence of one of the world’s earliest communal dining traditions.
Located in the heart of the Fertile Crescent, Karahantepe is in the very region where wheat was first domesticated. Excavations have revealed numerous stone mortars, grinding stones, and sickle blades, showing that wild grains were harvested, processed, and cultivated there. The most remarkable discovery, however, is the world’s oldest known bread. Charred remains found on the floor of a structure indicate that bread was baked there 12,000 years ago. This breakthrough is seen as the earliest evidence of humans using agriculture as a direct source of food.
Karahantepe visiting information
For those eager to explore Karahantepe and the broader Neolithic heritage of the region firsthand, Şanlıurfa offers unique opportunities. Although excavations at the Karahantepe archaeological site are still underway, the area has officially opened to visitors. As of 2023, Karahantepe, now recognized as an archaeological site, is open daily from 08:30 to 17:30. Traveling from Şanlıurfa city center to Karahantepe takes about 50–60 minutes by private car. Since the site is located within the borders of the Tek Tek Mountains National Park, it’s helpful to follow the park signs along the route. Currently, there isn’t a dedicated visitor center or comprehensive tourist infrastructure, so it’s best to come prepared with basic necessities and wear comfortable shoes. Domestic visitors with a MüzeKart can enter the site free of charge.
While in Şanlıurfa, there are other must-see stops besides Karahantepe. The top of the list is, of course, Göbeklitepe. Located just 20 kilometers from the city center, Göbeklitepe is fully open to visitors and features a modern visitor center. Listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, Göbeklitepe offers the chance to tour the excavation site, which is covered by a protective roof, and to view the massive T-shaped pillars from the surrounding walkways. Many visitors who come to see Karahantepe also include Göbeklitepe in their itinerary, experiencing these two key sites of the Neolithic Revolution together. For more detailed information, you can read our article “Göbeklitepe in 5 Questions.”
Another must-see is the Şanlıurfa Archaeology Museum, which displays the region’s rich history. Opened in its new building in 2015, it is one of the largest museums in Türkiye and is especially known for its reconstructions and artifacts from the Neolithic era. Here, you can see many original finds from the excavations at Göbeklitepe and Karahantepe up close. Among the items on display are sculptures, reliefs, and fragments of pillars from Karahantepe, including animal-shaped stone vessels, human figurines, and decorated pillar pieces carved with animal motifs. While walking through the galleries, you can also see a full-scale replica of the three-dimensional human statue unearthed at Karahantepe, along with dioramas that vividly recreate the hunter-gatherer life of the period. The Şanlıurfa Museum showcases not only the treasures of Karahantepe but also discoveries from across the entire Taş Tepeler region-Göbeklitepe, Nevali Çori, and others—giving visitors a broad view of the Neolithic age.
The Neolithic heritage of Karahantepe and its surroundings continues to shed light on the earliest chapters of human history. Walking among the T-shaped pillars, exploring the remains of the first village settlements, and touching the soil where the world’s first bread was baked offers a rare chance to connect the past and present in a truly unique way.
If you want to experience this heritage firsthand, book a flight to Şanlıurfa and begin a journey of exploration.
Even the bread served on board reflects the legacy of this land, where humanity’s first loaves were baked thousands of years ago. For more details about this extraordinary experience, visit our “First Bread” page. With every new discovery at Karahantepe and across the Taş Tepeler sites, the story of human history continues to be rewritten.
