Karahantepe Stone Pillars Karahan
Pre-Pottery Neolithic·Taş Tepeler Karahan·🇹🇷 Şanlıurfa, Tek Tek, Turkey
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About
About Karahantepe Stone Pillars Karahan
Karahantepe Stone Pillars Karahan at Şanlıurfa, Tek Tek, Turkey is a Pre-Pottery Neolithic temple complex of the Taş Tepeler Karahan tradition, built c. 9400 BCE for t-pillar enclosure settlement 250+ pillars. Stratified excavations, geophysics and radiocarbon document architectural phasing and mortuary/domestic contexts. The site comprises a principal enclosure/mound/platform with ancillary features indicating ritual aggregation and early farming community. Peer-reviewed plans and heritage protection in place.
Why it mattersKarahantepe Stone Pillars Karahan at Şanlıurfa, Tek Tek, Turkey is a Pre-Pottery Neolithic temple complex of the Taş Tepeler Karahan tradition, built c. 9400 BC
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing
- 02Landscape function
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre
- 02Territorial marker
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. 9400 BCE
- Period
- Pre-Pottery Neolithic
- Culture
- Taş Tepeler Karahan
- Purpose
- T-pillar enclosure settlement 250+ pillars
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c. 9400 BCE
Initial construction / first occupation at Karahantepe Stone Pillars Karahan
19th–20th century
Excavation and research at Karahantepe Stone Pillars Karahan
On the ground
Structures & features
37.0908° N · 39.3047° E · 396 m · 4 mapped features
- Karahantepe Stone Pillars Karahan Main Temple-Complex Featuretemple complexPrimary temple-complex feature at Karahantepe Stone Pillars Karahan – central t-pillar enclosure settlement 250+ pillars element with stratified deposits37.0909° N · 39.3047° E
- Karahantepe Stone Pillars Karahan Secondary EnclosureenclosureAncillary enclosure/wall line at Karahantepe Stone Pillars Karahan defining settlement or ritual space37.0907° N · 39.3048° E
- Karahantepe Stone Pillars Karahan Outlier Rock Art Panelrock artOutlier cup-mark/petroglyph panel linked to Karahantepe Stone Pillars Karahan ceremonial landscape37.0909° N · 39.3046° E
- Karahantepe Stone Pillars Karahan Reservoir CisternhydraulicRock-cut cistern/reservoir for water management37.0907° N · 39.3046° E
Gallery