Karahan Tepe Pillared Structure East Ridge
Pre-Pottery Neolithic (9500-8500 BCE)·Pre-Pottery Neolithic·🇹🇷 Southeastern Anatolia, Sanliurfa, Turkey
About
About Karahan Tepe Pillared Structure East Ridge
Karahan Tepe Pillared Structure East Ridge in Southeastern Anatolia, Sanliurfa, Turkey is a Pre-Pottery Neolithic (9500-8500 BCE) temple complex attributed to Pre-Pottery Neolithic. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal enclosure 8 × 6 m and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 37.1020N 39.2897E controls access to Southeastern Anatolia, Sanliurfa resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey temple-complex for Southeastern Anatolia, Sanliurfa, illustrating Pre-Pottery Neolithic construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Scale of population vs agricultural catchment
- 02Ritual vs domestic use
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. 9000 BCE
- Period
- Pre-Pottery Neolithic (9500-8500 BCE)
- Culture
- Pre-Pottery Neolithic
- Purpose
- Ceremonial centre and pilgrimage focus with stratified deposits
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 9000 BCE
Initial construction of Karahan Tepe Pillared Structure East Ridge main structure
c. 594 CE
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically at Karahan Tepe Pillared Structure East Ridge
19th–20th century
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Karahan Tepe Pillared Structure East Ridge) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
37.1020° N · 39.2897° E · 719 m · 3 mapped features
Karahan Tepe Pillared Structure East Ridge — Main Temple-Complex Feature
dromosPrimary dromos at Karahan Tepe Pillared Structure East Ridge — enclosure wall with stratified deposits
37.1010° N · 39.2909° EKarahan Tepe Pillared Structure East Ridge — Secondary Enclosure
structureAncillary structure at Karahan Tepe Pillared Structure East Ridge — burial gallery with stratified deposits
37.1006° N · 39.2895° EKarahan Tepe Pillared Structure East Ridge — Outlier Rock Art Panel
enclosureOutlier enclosure panel linked to Karahan Tepe Pillared Structure East Ridge ceremonial landscape
37.1022° N · 39.2917° E