Göbekli Tepe Karahan Ridge Quarry
Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE)·Bronze Age·🇹🇷 Şanlıurfa, Karahan, Turkey
About
About Göbekli Tepe Karahan Ridge Quarry
Göbekli Tepe Karahan Ridge Quarry in Şanlıurfa, Karahan, Turkey is a Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE) ancient city attributed to Bronze Age. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal walled area 12 ha and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 37.1200N 38.9500E controls access to Şanlıurfa resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey ancient city for Şanlıurfa, Karahan, illustrating Bronze Age construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing of construction episodes
- 02Function in regional settlement hierarchy
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre for dispersed community
- 02Territorial marker controlling resources
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 2800 BCE
- Period
- Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE)
- Culture
- Bronze Age
- Purpose
- Regional urban centre controlling trade and administration
- Rediscovered
- 1973 survey
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 2800 BCE
Initial construction of Göbekli Tepe Karahan Ridge Quarry main structure
c. 1913
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically
1973–2018
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Göbekli Tepe Karahan Ridge Quarry) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
37.1200° N · 38.9500° E · 171 m · 3 mapped features
Göbekli Tepe Karahan Ridge Quarry — Main Structure
structurePrincipal ancient city — Walled area 12 ha with diagnostic masonry/panel
37.1208° N · 38.9509° EGöbekli Tepe Karahan Ridge Quarry — Ancillary Complex
complexAncillary settlement debris and ceramics surrounding main feature
37.1190° N · 38.9493° EGöbekli Tepe Karahan Ridge Quarry — Peripheral Feature
outlierPeripheral feature with outlier deposit and burial
37.1215° N · 38.9512° E