A discovery in Turkey has suggested that ancient humans had a stronger concept of individual human identity and artistic realism much earlier than previously thought.
Archaeologists working at Karahantepe, a Pre-Pottery Neolithic site in Şanlıurfa, unearthed the earliest stone carving of a human face.
Karahantepe represents one of the earliest known centers of organized human culture, featuring massive T-shaped pillars and stone enclosures dating to around 10,000 BCE, making it roughly 12,000 years old.
The T-shaped monolith bears a distinctly carved human face with deep eye sockets, a long, broad nose and sharply defined facial lines.
This marks the first stone pillar found with a clear human face, turning centuries of abstract carvings into a tangible depiction of a person.
For years, researchers have questioned whether the enormous T-shaped pillars were purely structural, symbolic, or a combination of both.
The latest find suggested they were more than architectural support, but may be humanity’s first attempt at carving itself into stone, hinting at the dawn of portraiture.
Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, with the Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Türkiye, said: 'Previously, obelisks thought to represent humans gained deeper significance with this discovery.
'This artifact, found in Karahantepe, is the first example of Neolithic people carving themselves onto a T-shaped pillar, shedding light on human history.'
The site is about 22 miles east of Göbeklitepe, the oldest man-made structure ever found, which also features giant T-shaped pillars.
However, archaeologists said Karahantepe displays a more sophisticated architectural design than Göbeklitepe, revealing some of the earliest signs of human settlement and organized social structures.
Humans who lived at Karahan were pre-pottery Neolithic hunter-gatherers who inhabited the site between 10,000 and 6,500 BC, during the early stages of the Neolithic Revolution.
These people were likely transitioning to a more sedentary lifestyle, as evidenced by the discovery of settlements alongside monumental structures and wild animal carvings, similar to the contemporary site of Göbeklitepe.
Karahantepe sits atop one of the limestone heights in Turkey’s Tek Tek Mountains National Park, roughly 34 miles from downtown Şanlıurfa. The western and eastern terraces show pillar tops visible on the surface, and rounded stone structures of various sizes suggest organized layouts.
The Southern Plain lacks pillar remains on the surface but contains artifacts from daily life, such as grinding stones, indicating residential activity.
The Quarries, located on the western terraces descending to the south and west, were likely where T-shaped pillars were extracted.
In 2023, archaeologists uncovered one of the earliest and most lifelike examples of a human sculpture, depicting a man holding his phallus with both hands at Karahantepe.
The sculpture was found fixed to the ground on a bench at Karahantepe, which is considered one of the most important settlements of the Neolithic period.
It features a realistic facial expression, a strong, wide 'V-neck' motif and ribs clearly carved into it.
The statue, which is up to 11,400 years old, has arms coming down its sides that are depicted holding its phallus.
Nearby excavations also uncovered a bird statue with a beak, eyes, and wings, which archaeologists in Turkey suggest depicts a vulture.
It is not the first time animal sculptures have been found at the site.
Statues of snakes, insects, birds, a rabbit and a gazelle have also previously been uncovered at Karahantepe.
Excavations at Göbeklitepe and Karahantepe began in 2019, but the sites have been known to archaeologists for around 30 years.
