Stunning carvings of human figures and heads are uncovered at Karahantepe – one of the important settlements of the Neolithic period – revealing the artistic skills of people who lived in Turkey 11,000 years ago

By MailOnline Reporter

Published: 19:59 BST, 2 October 2021 | Updated: 19:59 BST, 2 October 2021

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Stunning carvings of human figures and heads have been uncovered at what is considered to be one of the most important settlements of the Neolithic period. The discovery at Karahantepe, in Turkey's southeastern province of ¿anl¿urfa, reveals the artistic skills of people who lived there 11,000 years ago. Click through to see more...

Stunning carvings of human figures and heads have been uncovered at what is considered to be one of the most important settlements of the Neolithic period. The discovery at Karahantepe, in Turkey’s southeastern province of Şanlıurfa, reveals the artistic skills of people who lived there 11,000 years ago. Click through to see more…

Stunning carvings of human figures and heads (pictured) have been uncovered at what is considered to be one of the most important settlements of the Neolithic period.

Stunning carvings of human figures and heads (pictured) have been uncovered at what is considered to be one of the most important settlements of the Neolithic period.

Stunning carvings of human figures and heads (pictured) have been uncovered at what is considered to be one of the most important settlements of the Neolithic period.

The discovery at Karahantepe, in Turkey's southeastern province of ¿anl¿urfa, reveals the artistic skills of people who lived there 11,000 years ago.

The discovery at Karahantepe, in Turkey's southeastern province of ¿anl¿urfa, reveals the artistic skills of people who lived there 11,000 years ago.

The discovery at Karahantepe, in Turkey’s southeastern province of Şanlıurfa, reveals the artistic skills of people who lived there 11,000 years ago.

So far, more than 250 T-shaped megaliths featuring animal depictions have been found, along with a number of three-dimensional human sculptures.

So far, more than 250 T-shaped megaliths featuring animal depictions have been found, along with a number of three-dimensional human sculptures.

So far, more than 250 T-shaped megaliths featuring animal depictions have been found, along with a number of three-dimensional human sculptures.

Among them are many 3D sculptures and human depictions, including those of human heads (pictured), archaeologists said.

Among them are many 3D sculptures and human depictions, including those of human heads (pictured), archaeologists said.

Among them are many 3D sculptures and human depictions, including those of human heads (pictured), archaeologists said.

Archaeologists said the findings showed the artistic capabilities of humankind in the Neolithic period were developed to some extent.

Archaeologists said the findings showed the artistic capabilities of humankind in the Neolithic period were developed to some extent.

Archaeologists said the findings showed the artistic capabilities of humankind in the Neolithic period were developed to some extent.

An exhibition featuring some of the finds has also been opened at the ¿anl¿urfa Archaeological Museum (pictured).

An exhibition featuring some of the finds has also been opened at the ¿anl¿urfa Archaeological Museum (pictured).

An exhibition featuring some of the finds has also been opened at the Şanlıurfa Archaeological Museum (pictured).

Karahantepe is in a region named 'Ta¿ Tepeler', meaning Stone Hills, which covers an area of 124 miles (200km).

Karahantepe is in a region named 'Ta¿ Tepeler', meaning Stone Hills, which covers an area of 124 miles (200km).

Karahantepe is in a region named ‘Taş Tepeler’, meaning Stone Hills, which covers an area of 124 miles (200km).

New images taken by a drone flying over the site reveal some of the sculptures that have been found during the excavations at Karahantepe.

New images taken by a drone flying over the site reveal some of the sculptures that have been found during the excavations at Karahantepe.

New images taken by a drone flying over the site reveal some of the sculptures that have been found during the excavations at Karahantepe.

Head of excavations at Karahantepe, Professor Necmi Karul, told state-run Anadolu Agency that the artifacts found were similar to those discovered at the ancient Gobekli Tepe site, which was built by a prehistoric people 6,000 years before Stonehenge.

Head of excavations at Karahantepe, Professor Necmi Karul, told state-run Anadolu Agency that the artifacts found were similar to those discovered at the ancient Gobekli Tepe site, which was built by a prehistoric people 6,000 years before Stonehenge.

Head of excavations at Karahantepe, Professor Necmi Karul, told state-run Anadolu Agency that the artifacts found were similar to those discovered at the ancient Gobekli Tepe site, which was built by a prehistoric people 6,000 years before Stonehenge.

Karahantepe (pictured) neighbors the UNESCO World Heritage site of Gobekli Tepe, which is home to megalithic structures dating to the 10th millennium BC and is thought to be the world's oldest temple site.

Karahantepe (pictured) neighbors the UNESCO World Heritage site of Gobekli Tepe, which is home to megalithic structures dating to the 10th millennium BC and is thought to be the world's oldest temple site.

Karahantepe (pictured) neighbors the UNESCO World Heritage site of Gobekli Tepe, which is home to megalithic structures dating to the 10th millennium BC and is thought to be the world’s oldest temple site.

One particularly impressive sculpture depicts a human carrying a leopard on his back, archaeologists said.

One particularly impressive sculpture depicts a human carrying a leopard on his back, archaeologists said.

One particularly impressive sculpture depicts a human carrying a leopard on his back, archaeologists said.

It is unclear how the sculptures were made, but like at Gobekli Tepe, experts believe that hunter-gatherers were responsible.

It is unclear how the sculptures were made, but like at Gobekli Tepe, experts believe that hunter-gatherers were responsible.

It is unclear how the sculptures were made, but like at Gobekli Tepe, experts believe that hunter-gatherers were responsible.

They may have come together 11,500 years ago to carve the T-shaped pillars with stone tools, before hauling them across the hilltop, using rope, log beams and manpower.

They may have come together 11,500 years ago to carve the T-shaped pillars with stone tools, before hauling them across the hilltop, using rope, log beams and manpower.

They may have come together 11,500 years ago to carve the T-shaped pillars with stone tools, before hauling them across the hilltop, using rope, log beams and manpower.

Digging at the site first began in 2019 and has also led to the discovery of a building with a diameter of 75ft (23 meters).

Digging at the site first began in 2019 and has also led to the discovery of a building with a diameter of 75ft (23 meters).

Digging at the site first began in 2019 and has also led to the discovery of a building with a diameter of 75ft (23 meters).

However, there is a lot that archaeologists are still trying to learn, not only about Gobekli Tepe but also with the excavations at Karahantepe.

However, there is a lot that archaeologists are still trying to learn, not only about Gobekli Tepe but also with the excavations at Karahantepe.

However, there is a lot that archaeologists are still trying to learn, not only about Gobekli Tepe but also with the excavations at Karahantepe.

Carved from the natural limestone layers of the hill's bedrock, the pillars feature stylized human figures and heads.

Carved from the natural limestone layers of the hill's bedrock, the pillars feature stylized human figures and heads.

Carved from the natural limestone layers of the hill’s bedrock, the pillars feature stylized human figures and heads.

The excavation site where the carvings have been found is in Karahantepe, in Turkey's southeastern province of ¿anl¿urfa.

The excavation site where the carvings have been found is in Karahantepe, in Turkey's southeastern province of ¿anl¿urfa.

The excavation site where the carvings have been found is in Karahantepe, in Turkey’s southeastern province of Şanlıurfa.

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