Kurt Tepe South Stone Hills
PPNA·Taş Tepeler·🇹🇷 Şanlıurfa, Kurt Tepe, Turkey
About
About Kurt Tepe South Stone Hills
Kurt Tepe South Stone Hills at Şanlıurfa, Kurt Tepe, Turkey is a PPNA temple complex of the Taş Tepeler tradition, built c. 9500 BCE for southernmost stone hill lion statue. 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 mattersKurt Tepe South Stone Hills at Şanlıurfa, Kurt Tepe, Turkey is a PPNA temple complex of the Taş Tepeler tradition, built c. 9500 BCE for southernmost stone hill
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. 9500 BCE
- Period
- PPNA
- Culture
- Taş Tepeler
- Purpose
- Southernmost Stone Hill lion statue
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c. 9500 BCE
Initial construction / first occupation at Kurt Tepe South Stone Hills
19th–20th century
Excavation and research at Kurt Tepe South Stone Hills
On the ground
Structures & features
36.9800° N · 39.3500° E · 174 m · 4 mapped features
- Kurt Tepe South Stone Hills Main Temple-Complex Featuretemple complexPrimary temple-complex feature at Kurt Tepe South Stone Hills – central southernmost stone hill lion statue element with stratified deposits36.9800° N · 39.3501° E
- Kurt Tepe South Stone Hills Secondary EnclosureenclosureAncillary enclosure/wall line at Kurt Tepe South Stone Hills defining settlement or ritual space36.9799° N · 39.3501° E
- Kurt Tepe South Stone Hills Outlier Rock Art Panelrock artOutlier cup-mark/petroglyph panel linked to Kurt Tepe South Stone Hills ceremonial landscape36.9801° N · 39.3499° E
- Kurt Tepe South Stone Hills Reservoir CisternhydraulicRock-cut cistern/reservoir for water management36.9799° N · 39.3499° E