Karahantepe

Pre-Pottery Neolithic · ~9600 BCE

Karahantepe

Göbekli Tepe rewrote human history. Karahan Tepe may rewrite it again.

I was guiding visitors here before the gates officially opened — and what we are finding beneath this hillside is unlike anything the ancient world has shown us before.

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What is Karahantepe?

Karahantepe is a Pre-Pottery Neolithic archaeological site near Keçili village, east of Şanlıurfa in southeastern Turkey. Roughly contemporary with Göbekli Tepe — and part of the same Taş Tepeler (Stone Hills) network — it is transforming our understanding of settlement, communal activities and the transition toward farming.

Official site background · Check current visitor arrangements

~11,000

Years Old

Pre-Pottery Neolithic A/B

Şanlıurfa

Southeastern Turkey

Same cultural network

250+

T-Shaped Pillars

Discovered across the site

Taş Tepeler

Research Project

Neolithic sites of the region

Remarkable Discoveries

Three finds that have placed Karahantepe alongside Göbekli Tepe as one of the most significant archaeological sites of the 21st century.

Rock-cut pillars in Structure AB at Karahantepe

Structure AB

The Pillar Shrine

A rock-cut building with ten bedrock pillars, an additional inserted element and a human head projecting from its western wall.

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Carved human head sculptures at Karahantepe

Sculptures

The Carved Heads

Carved human heads with detailed facial features — a striking part of Karahantepe's early Neolithic human imagery.

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T-shaped pillars at Karahantepe, part of its architectural setting

Symbolism

Human Figures

Realistic human figures, portraits and reliefs carved into pillars and walls — among the most detailed known examples from the Neolithic period.

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From Construction to Discovery

11,000 years of history — from the Neolithic builders who raised these pillars to the archaeologists uncovering them today.

~9600 BCE

Early Neolithic occupation

Karahantepe belongs to the early Neolithic world broadly contemporary with Göbekli Tepe. The site’s approximate chronology is not an exact construction date for every building.

~8000 BCE

Later occupation and building closure

The commonly cited occupation range extends toward 8000 BCE. Intentional filling is documented for Structure AB, but this does not establish a single burial event for the whole site or for Göbekli Tepe.

1997

First survey

Bahattin Çelik identifies the site during a surface survey of the Şanlıurfa region, recognizing its potential significance.

2019

Major excavations begin

Prof. Necmi Karul of Istanbul University begins systematic excavations. The work later becomes part of the Taş Tepeler initiative launched in 2021.

2021

Structure AB published

Karul’s report describes ten phallus-shaped bedrock pillars, an inserted eleventh stone element and a human head projecting from the western wall. Its staged filling is interpreted as intentional.

2023

Seated statue announced

On 30 September, the Ministry announces a 2.3-metre seated statue fixed into a bench, with prominent ribs, spine and shoulder bones. It is separate from Structure AB’s wall head.

2025

Human face on a T-shaped pillar

A Ministry announcement reported in October describes facial features carved on a T-shaped pillar, adding evidence to interpretations of these pillars as human representations.

Full timeline & history

Sister Site

Explore Göbekli Tepe

Explore Göbekli Tepe, another key site in the region's Neolithic research landscape. Discover its monumental buildings and settlement evidence on our companion site.

Visit gobekli-tepe.com →
Karahantepe archaeological site landscape

Plan Your Visit

See It for Yourself

Karahantepe is open to visitors year-round. Whether you're arriving independently from Şanlıurfa or joining a guided archaeology tour, the site rewards every traveller who makes the journey across the steppe.

We recommend combining Karahantepe with Göbekli Tepe and the Şanlıurfa Archaeology Museum for the fullest experience of the Taş Tepeler landscape.

Visitor Guide Guided Tours by Serendipity

Latest from the Blog

Analysis, news, and long-form explorations of Karahantepe and the Neolithic world.

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Archaeology

Karahan Tepe and the World: Global Parallels as Modern Analogies

Compare Karahan Tepe with distant sculptural traditions while distinguishing visual analogy from evidence of historical contact.

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Archaeology

Şanlıurfa Archaeology Museum: Essential Before Karahan Tepe

The Şanlıurfa Archaeological Museum houses the world's finest Neolithic collection. Why you should visit before Karahan Tepe.

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Archaeology

Snakes, Lions, and Foxes: Animal Carvings at Karahan Tepe

Explore animal imagery at Karahan Tepe and the hypotheses about its meaning, from serpent symbolism to possible protective or seasonal associations.

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The complete Taş Tepeler experience

See Karahan Tepe in Person on Our 14-Day Tour

Serendipity Tours Turkey's 14-day Treasures of Ancient Turkey tour includes Karahan Tepe and Göbekli Tepe alongside Cappadocia, Ephesus, and Istanbul. Confirm the itinerary and guide when enquiring.

14 days / 13 nights · From USD $4,490Max 8 people · Agency licence TÜRSAB #7797

Prices checked 2026-09-08. Confirm current price, availability and guide assignment with the operator.

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