Structure AB — The Pillar Shrine viewed from the access ramp
Karahantepe Excavation Archive
Carved human head with hollowed eyes — one of the earliest naturalistic portraits in history
Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism
The Tektek Mountains steppe — the limestone ridge that cradles Karahantepe
Serendipity Tours Turkey
T-shaped pillars emerging from bedrock in the main chamber
Karahantepe Excavation Archive
The central figure of Structure AB — a human form rising from the bedrock floor
Prof. Necmi Karul / Istanbul University
Archaeologists documenting newly exposed reliefs during the 2023 season
Taş Tepeler Project
Leopard relief on pillar — dynamic carving with incised spots and muscular form
Karahantepe Excavation Archive
Aerial view showing the circular plan of the pillar shrine and surrounding chambers
Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism
Snake relief winding around a pillar shaft — a motif shared with Göbekli Tepe
Prof. Necmi Karul / Istanbul University
Sunrise over the Harran Plain as seen from the Karahantepe ridge
Serendipity Tours Turkey
Bedrock-cut water channel uncovered during the 2022 excavation season
Taş Tepeler Project
Obsidian tool fragment found near the carved chambers — evidence of long-distance exchange
Karahantepe Excavation Archive