First Human-Faced Pillar Discovered at Karahantepe

EnglishTurkey, History, General, Culture, Archaeology338 ReadShare

Recent archaeological excavations at Karahantepe have brought to light a remarkable find from the depths of prehistory: a T-shaped pillar bearing the depiction of a human face. This discovery reshapes our understanding of the symbolic world of the Neolithic era.

The T-shaped pillars found at Göbeklitepe and its surrounding sites have long been thought to represent humans, mainly due to the presence of carved arms and hands. However, the newly unearthed pillar at Karahantepe provides the first explicit example of a human face carved on such a monument, offering concrete evidence for these interpretations.

The face depicted on the upper part of the pillar—characterized by sharp contours, deep eye sockets, and a broad nose—shares stylistic similarities with previously discovered human statues from Karahantepe. These features reveal not only the technical skill of Neolithic people but also their capacity for self-expression and abstract thought.

Experts note that this discovery reinforces the idea that T-shaped pillars were far more than architectural supports. They were symbolic creations through which humans expressed and represented themselves. With this find, Karahantepe once again stands as a new window into the intellectual and spiritual world of the Neolithic period.

Source: Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Culture and Tourism
 We try our best to keep the ads from getting in your way. If you'd like to show your support, you can use Patreon or Buy Me a Coffee.

Latest Other News

  • Göbeklitepe'den Sonra Karahantepe Heyecanı
    Read more
  • Sardis Ancient City and Bin Tepe Lydian Tumuli Added to UNESCO World Heritage List
    Read more
  • Remarkable Discoveries at Pompeii: Frescoes Unveiled During Christmas Excavations
    Read more
  • 115,000-Year-Old Engraved Bones Found in China
    Read more
  • 7,000-Year-Old Stone Monuments in Northern Arabi
    Read more

Languages

Categories

Follow