Recent excavations at Karahantepe, an important site within the Tas Tepeler Project in south-eastern Turkey, have revealed startling evidence of Neolithic complexity. Dating back approximately 12,000 years, the site produces life-size human figurines and elaborate animal carvings that change the way we view prehistoric art. Yet, the most surprising finds involve plant remains. While they remained hunters and gatherers, their subsistence was semi-managed; Discoveries show that they also ate a diverse diet that included wild beans. This change from foraging for food to a more settled lifestyle indicates that Karahantepe was not just a simple settlement, but an advanced society practicing ‘pre-domestication’ farming. Such revelations challenge what we know about when organized farming began and how early societies developed social structures.
Statues and a surprising prehistoric diet found in Karahantepe
The Taş Tepeler project has shown that Karahanatepe served as more than just a ritual site; It was the center of complex social activities. Leading the excavation, Professor Necmi Karul found numerous T-shaped pillars and highly detailed human figures. An extraordinary find was a statue of a seated man holding his penis with both hands, focusing on human symbolism. Meanwhile, bioarchaeological research revealed that people ate gazelle, wild sheep, and various legumes such as bitter vetch and lentils, pointing to an early stage of plant management before domestication.
Why did hunter-gatherers stop roaming 12,000 years ago?
Research published in academic contexts shows that Karahantepe and Gobeklitepe reveal a lifestyle of settled hunter-gatherers, which challenges the traditional view known as the ‘agriculture first’ theory. At Karahantepe, permanent buildings and giant stone sculptures show that hunter-gatherers formed stable communities long before wheat was domesticated. The discovery of rock-cut pits, cisterns and grinding units also points to regular consumption of wild grains and pulses.
Important role of wild pulses in ancient construction
As noted in the Journal of Archaeological Science, in the Sanliurfa region, archaeological research shows that the diet of people 12,000 years ago was very diverse. Evidence shows that the meat of wild animals such as gazelle and aurochs was a major part of their diet. However, they also collected and processed a lot of wild pulses. These pulses provided much-needed protein for the large groups of workers who carved and moved the colossal statues at Karahantepe.
Why did Karahantep focus on the human form?
Karahantepe’s emphasis on human figures marks a significant departure from the earlier focus on animal motifs. The German Archaeological Institute, which cooperates on research in the region, says the figurines excavated at Karahanatepe reveal a complex system of symbols and social order. Foxes, snakes and leopards were intricately carved, reflecting specific roles within the community created by high protein surpluses and communal feasting.