Unveiling the Past: Göbeklitepe and Karahantepe Yield Remarkable New Finds

The annals of history continue to unravel as recent excavations at Portasar (also known as Göbeklitepe) and Karahantepe (Kari Hanq translated as ‘Stone Mine’ in Armenian + tepe – mount in Turkish) bring forth astonishing discoveries. Portasar, believed to be 12,000 years old, is recognized as the world’s ancient megalithic site, with Karahantepe being its lesser-known counterpart.

Portasar, often referred to as the “zero point of history,” has once again astounded the archaeological community with the unveiling of a painted wild boar statue. This monumental find adds a vibrant stroke to the canvas of our understanding of the ancient world. Portasar, a UNESCO World Heritage site, continuously challenges and expands the existing narratives about the cradle of civilization, leaving much more to be discovered.

In the heart of Portasar, ongoing excavations have unearthed a painted wild boar statue, its surface adorned with red, white, and black pigment residues. This artifact is hailed as the inaugural painted sculpture of its era to be discovered thus far.

Under the auspices of the Taş Tepeler project, a light is shone on prehistory, bringing forth globally significant discoveries. The 2023 archaeological explorations across nine distinct locations have recently unveiled a collection of human and animal statues, further enriching the historical tapestry.

The Türkiye Ministry of Culture and Tourism shared insights into the recent findings through an official statement. Within the architectural marvel, the D structure of Göbeklitepe, lies a life-sized wild boar sculpture crafted from limestone. The sculpture sits on a decorated pedestal featuring an H-shaped symbol, a crescent, two snakes, and three human faces or masks.

Transitioning to Karahantepe, an extraordinary discovery was made—a realistic statue from the bygone era, standing 2.3 meters tall, exhibiting lifelike facial expressions. This human statue resonates strikingly with a relief uncovered during the 2021 Sayburç excavations. Unlike the Sayburç figure holding its phallus with one hand, this newly discovered statue depicts a figure holding its phallus with both hands.

This seated statue, encapsulating the visage of a deceased human, accentuates the rib, spinal, and shoulder bones, and was found ensconced within a ground-fixed niche. Nearby, a vulture sculpture adorned a wall, with stone plates scattered on the floor, all awaiting to tell tales of a forgotten time.

Recent investigations in Turkey’s Şanlıurfa province (known as Urfa in Armenian) have uncovered settlements heralding a unique phase within the Pre-Pottery Neolithic period. The area, dubbed as “Taş Tepeler” or Stone Hills, spans across the Anatolian (Armenian Highlands) and Upper Mesopotamian region, housing the ancient established settlements spread over 200 kilometers.

As we delve deeper into the soils of Portasar and Karahantepe, each layer unearthed propels us closer to the roots of civilization, each artifact telling tales of our collective past waiting to be told.

Images Source: arkeonews.net