Karahantepe is located near the village of Keçili, approximately 46 km southeast of Şanlıurfa and 35 km from Göbekli Tepe in southeastern Turkey.

Karahantepe dates to the Pre-Pottery Neolithic period, roughly 9600–8000 BCE, making it approximately 11,000 years old — built before the invention of pottery, agriculture, or the wheel.

While both sites date to a similar period and feature T-shaped pillars, Karahantepe has unique characteristics including carved human heads, a distinctive pillar shrine (Structure AB), and evidence suggesting it may have served different ceremonial purposes. They are part of the same Taş Tepeler network.

Yes, Karahantepe is open to visitors. The site is accessible from Şanlıurfa by car or guided tour. A visitor pathway and protective shelters have been installed over key structures.

Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) offer the most comfortable temperatures. Summers in Şanlıurfa can exceed 40°C, making early morning visits essential.

The excavations are led by Prof. Necmi Karul of Istanbul University, as part of the Taş Tepeler (Stone Hills) project overseen by Turkey's Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Karahantepe is on Turkey's Tentative World Heritage List as part of the Göbekli Tepe and related sites nomination. A full inscription may follow in the coming years.

Plan at least 1–2 hours for the site itself. If you combine it with Göbekli Tepe and the Şanlıurfa Archaeology Museum, allow a full day.