A Neolithic architectural structure, used for ritual purposes and resembling an amphitheater, has been brought to light at the Karahantepe Archaeological Site in Şanlıurfa.
The Karahantepe Archaeological Site is located in the Tek Tek Mountains National Park, 46 kilometers from the city center.
Excavations in the area continue to yield findings and artifacts that shed light on the Neolithic period.
Transition from Animal Statues to Human Statues
Head of Excavations Professor Necmi Karul stated that settlement at Karahantepe began around 9400 BC and lasted until the 8000s BC.
According to Karul, three different settlement phases were identified in the excavation area.
Round-plan structures were seen in the first phase, rectangular ones with rounded corners in the second, and truly angular structures in the final phase. It was observed that structures for both public and residential purposes existed in every period.
Stating that they are continuing excavations in all the houses and noting that a 2.30-meter statue was previously found, Karul explained:
"We reached the bedrock floor throughout the structure. We are talking about a structure approximately 17 meters in diameter. Inside this structure, we encountered human heads placed within the walls or seated human statues found lying on the floor.
These are very unique finds. However, this structure confronts us once again with the final stage of a historical process; it shows us that prehistoric humans began to feature human statues more prominently from this period on, and that while animal symbolism was dominant at the start of the process, human symbolism increasingly grew.
These structures have focal points—the statue is in such a place—but this time, there are three-tiered, very wide stone benches across from this focal point, almost like an odeon or an amphitheater.
The size, width, and multi-layered nature of the benches suggest that people likely sat here in groups. We can say this is a newly encountered architectural design."
Primary Function: Bringing People Together
Karul stated that the area will appear more defined once the restoration is completed and the standing stones (obelisks) are raised.
Noting that large numbers of people gathered in the remains they unearthed and that animal and human statues were found at the focus of the structures, Karul continued:
"This allows us to make some inferences regarding the function of these buildings. If they were merely temples, I think their function would be reduced. Therefore, we can say that the main function of these structures was to bring people together.
This is a design that continued to live on in later periods as amphitheaters and odeons.
However, I believe the critical point is that with the onset of settled life, the need for spaces that provided the necessity, obligation, and motivation for living together may have led to the construction of such buildings."