Archaeological excavations in Şanlıurfa, Turkey, are shedding light on Mendik Tepe, a settlement believed to be older than Göbeklitepe — the site widely known as the “zero point of history.” Findings suggest that Mendik Tepe may hold critical clues about humanity’s transition to a settled lifestyle during the earliest phases of the Neolithic Age.
Located in the rural Payamlı neighborhood of Şanlıurfa’s Eyyübiye district, Mendik Tepe was first identified by excavation director Fatma Şahin. Excavations began in 2024 under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Douglas Baird from the University of Liverpool’s Archaeology Department, in collaboration with the Şanlıurfa Archaeology Museum and with support from the British Institute of Archaeology.
Excavations Reveal Early Buildings
Professor Baird explained that excavations have uncovered structures of various sizes, and researchers are now working to determine their functions.
“Some of the buildings we uncovered last year are large, while others are relatively small,” Baird told Anadolu Agency. “We are trying to understand these differences. Could the smaller ones have been used for storage or food preparation? Were the medium-sized structures domestic houses? And could the larger ones have served as special ritual spaces? One particularly large structure stands out due to its solid stonework, which strengthens the theory that it may have been used for ceremonial purposes.”
The team continues to analyze architectural patterns to better understand daily life and ritual practices at Mendik Tepe.
Older Than Göbeklitepe?
According to Baird, Mendik Tepe may date back to the earliest stages of the Neolithic Period, possibly predating Göbeklitepe and Karahantepe, two of the most significant sites in Turkey’s Taş Tepeler (Stone Hills) Project.
“This settlement is related to the Taş Tepeler sites like Göbeklitepe and Karahantepe, but it may be slightly older,” Baird explained. “Our work here contributes to understanding not only the evolution of the Taş Tepeler Project but also the origins of the Neolithic Age itself. These findings provide vital evidence about how early humans began transitioning to settled life.”
Interestingly, unlike Göbeklitepe and Karahantepe, which feature monumental T-shaped pillars, Mendik Tepe has revealed non-T-shaped standing stones. This architectural distinction hints at unique cultural practices and offers new perspectives on how early communities developed distinct identities during the Neolithic.
A Broader Archaeological Context
Mendik Tepe lies only five kilometers from Çakmak Tepe, another excavation site led by Fatma Şahin. Both locations appear to date earlier than other Stone Hills settlements, potentially rewriting what scholars know about the timeline of human settlement in the region.
As excavations continue, Mendik Tepe promises to play a major role in reshaping our understanding of early human history, complementing the discoveries at Göbeklitepe, Karahantepe, and other Neolithic sites in southeastern Turkey.
The post Mendik Tepe, Believed to Pre-Date Göbeklitepe, Unearthed in Şanlıurfa appeared first on NSF News and Magazine.