The new season of the excavation works within the scope of the Taş Tepeler Project has started in Karahantepe. Important discoveries are expected to be made in the specially designed quadrangular structure that was partially excavated last year.
So far, more than 250 'T'-shaped standing stones from the Neolithic period, as well as human figure sculptures and animal depictions, have been uncovered in Karahantepe. This year, extensive excavations will be carried out in the specially designed quadrangular structure that was partially uncovered last year. The excavation season will last until October.
Prof. Dr. Necmi Karul, the Coordinator of the Taş Tepeler Project and the Head of the Karahantepe Excavation, stated that they have started the 7th year of the excavation works in Karahantepe, and the area will be covered with a protective roof at the end of the season. Karul expressed that the excavations are focused on a single area of the mound this year, aiming to reveal the structural remains on the main rock in a holistic manner.
Emphasizing that Karahantepe has hosted many surprising discoveries in the field of archeology so far, Karul stated that they expect similar surprises this year. Drawing attention to the quadrangular structure partially uncovered last year, Karul said:
We will remove the stones covering the building and the room this year and start excavations in that area. This space was built for special purposes, so we expect that room to surprise us as well.
Karul explained that there is a room covered with large flat stones at one corner of the structure, but due to the shallow fill at the entrance, excavation cannot be carried out from the inside, so the upper covering stones will be removed and the work will begin. Karul stated that Karahantepe has always yielded surprising results during the excavation process and added:
We will be here until October. There are certainly surprises that we do not know about. We have our expectations, but there will also be things that we did not take into account. I hope it will be a successful season.
Karul noted that the research center, which is nearing completion in Karahantepe, will make significant contributions to the studies, and the support of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, as well as Şanlıurfa Governorship, Metropolitan Municipality, and other local institutions, has accelerated the excavations.
