Karahantepe Archaeological Site

Karahantepe Archaeological Site, is located approximately 55 km east of the city of Şanlıurfa in southeastern Türkiye, within the boundaries of the Tek Tek Dağları National Park. The site is situated on one of the limestone plateaus. The Tek Tek Dağları form a low plateau approximately 60 km long, extending between the Harran and Viranşehir plains, rising to 761 meters above sea level in the north and descending below 500 meters in the south.

The remains at Karahantepe were first identified in 1997 during cultural inventory surveys conducted in Şanlıurfa. Surface surveys in the region began in 2017 under the project titled “Göbeklitepe Culture and Karahantepe Excavations,” led by Professor Dr. Necmi Karul from Istanbul University. Archaeological investigations at this site, locally known as “Keçilitepe,” are still ongoing.

To date, excavations and surface surveys at Karahantepe have revealed over 250 T-shaped monoliths dating to the Neolithic period. These stones are typically arranged as part of circular structures. The site has also yielded statues, buildings, and various stone artifacts.

^{Karahantepe Örenyeri} (AA)

Geophysical measurements and archaeological surface surveys at Karahantepe indicate that the site can be divided into four distinct areas:

West and East Terraces: Areas where upper sections of T-shaped monoliths are visible on the surface, along with circular structures of varying sizes.

South Plain: An area where artifacts associated with domestic activity, such as grinding stones, are concentrated.

Quarries: The section located on the southern and western terraces of the western hill, containing limestone beds from which the T-shaped monoliths were extracted.

In addition to archaeological finds from the surface, the site’s natural topography and the morphological characteristics of the bedrock further support this division.

^{Karahantepe Örenyeri} (AA)

Karahantepe is evaluated alongside other major Neolithic centers such as Göbeklitepe and Nevali Çori, within the same cultural context. Its architectural layout, monolith forms, and settlement plan show strong similarities to Göbeklitepe and Nevali Çori. Evidence suggests that Karahantepe may predate Göbeklitepe, establishing it as one of the world’s oldest known Neolithic settlement sites.

Following excavations at Karahantepe, conservation projects including on-site display and protective roofing have been developed and implemented to preserve artifacts exposed to the elements. These efforts aim to transform the site into an open-air museum, ensuring the sustainability of its archaeological heritage.

Karahantepe once again highlights the importance of Şanlıurfa in the Neolithic settlement history of the region. The area was home to the Hurrian culture and lies within a landscape regarded as sacred in Jewish, Christian, and Muslim traditions. It is associated with Ur Kaśdim, the city traditionally identified as the birthplace of Prophet Abraham.