Excavations at Sefertepe, a key site within Turkey's Taş Tepeler Project, have revealed twelve human skulls dating back over 10,500 years. These significant findings are enhancing the understanding of Neolithic ritualistic practices and ancestor veneration. The discoveries were led by Associate Professor Emre Güldoğan of Istanbul University's Prehistoric Archaeology Department, with support from the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
This season's work builds upon the previous year's discovery of a chamber, dubbed the "skull room," which yielded 31 skulls and fragments. The addition of eight more skulls from this chamber and four from another location highlights Sefertepe's importance as a hub for complex cultural traditions. Professor Dr. Yılmaz Selim Erdal from Hacettepe University is conducting anthropological examinations of the remains, which belong to individuals ranging from six-month-old infants to adults around 40 years old. This wide age distribution suggests the skulls were part of long-term, multi-generational rituals rather than a single catastrophic event.
Sefertepe is one of twelve sites in the Taş Tepeler network, an extensive archaeological initiative in the Şanlıurfa region covering a period from 9,000 to 12,000 years ago. Similar to Göbeklitepe, Sefertepe demonstrates interconnected communities with shared architectural and religious practices, indicating a sophisticated societal structure. The site also features unique architectural elements, including deliberately leveled foundations and carved pits, pointing to meticulous planning and purposeful construction.
Botanical studies are also underway at Sefertepe to shed light on the transition from hunter-gatherer lifestyles to settled agricultural communities. Restoration work on broken stelae and carved columns, reminiscent of Göbeklitepe's T-shaped pillars, is also in progress. These efforts collectively contribute to a richer narrative of human development during this transformative era.
The twelve newly discovered skulls are crucial in reinforcing the interpretation of Sefertepe as a site dedicated to Neolithic rituals and ancestor worship. Researchers are gaining profound insights into how these ancient communities perceived life, death, and the afterlife. Associate Professor Güldoğan stated that each new discovery enriches the understanding of the symbolic world of these early societies. Sefertepe holds the potential to become a cornerstone for understanding not only the history of Southeast Anatolia but also the broader trajectory of human civilization.