Ancient Eating Habits Uncovered in Karahantepe Discovery
A remarkable Karahantepe discovery in southeastern Turkey has revealed what people were eating 12,000 years ago. Recent scientific studies carried out on findings from the Karahantepe archaeological site in Şanlıurfa have shed new light on the daily lives of early settled communities.
According to Prof. Dr. Necmi Karul, head of the Karahantepe excavations and coordinator of the Taş Tepeler Project, researchers found strong evidence that gazelle meat was widely consumed. Alongside this, legumes played a surprisingly important role in the diet of people living in the region during the Neolithic period.
A Key Site in One of Turkey’s Largest Archaeology Projects
Karahantepe is one of the most important excavation sites within the Taş Tepeler Project, one of the most comprehensive archaeological initiatives in the history of the Republic of Turkey. Excavations in the Şanlıurfa region have been ongoing for seven years, uncovering valuable insights into early human civilization.
The site, located about 46 kilometers from the city center in Tek Tek Mountains National Park, features more than 250 T-shaped stone pillars similar to those found at Göbeklitepe, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Archaeologists have also discovered three-dimensional human statues and detailed animal carvings, offering clues about symbolic expression and belief systems of early societies.
Excavations Set to Resume Soon
Prof. Dr. Karul announced that excavation work at Karahantepe will resume toward the end of May after preparations for the new season are completed. During the off-season, researchers focused on analyzing data collected from previous digs, especially in laboratory settings.
These studies have allowed scientists to compare Karahantepe with Göbeklitepe more closely. While both sites show evidence of heavy gazelle consumption, Göbeklitepe appears to have a wider variety of animal remains from different ecological zones.
New Insights Into Prehistoric Diets
One of the most important outcomes of this Karahantepe discovery is the understanding of plant consumption. Previously, it was believed that early communities mainly consumed grains. However, new findings indicate that legumes were a significant part of their diet.
This suggests that people living 12,000 years ago had a more diverse and balanced diet than previously assumed. Researchers plan to expand these findings in the upcoming excavation season.
Karahantepe Joins Cultural and Gastronomy Festival
Karahantepe has also been included in the gastronomy section of the Şanlıurfa Culture Road Festival. This inclusion highlights how archaeology can connect past and present, especially through food culture.
Karul emphasized that archaeology is not just about uncovering objects, but also about understanding the full range of human life in the past. Sites like Karahantepe allow people today to build a connection with ancient cultures.
A Window Into Early Human Civilization
After Göbeklitepe, often called the “zero point of history,” Karahantepe stands as another major site that brings us closer to understanding early human settlement. Both sites date back to the beginning of settled life, around 12,000 years ago, following the end of the Ice Age.
According to Karul, these sites are among the most monumental early settlements known in the world. They show that people living in this region had advanced skills in art, engineering, and technology for their time.
Ecology Studies Add New Dimensions
Researchers are also working on the Taş Tepeler Ecology Project, which studies both ancient and modern environmental conditions in the region. Teams have been actively working in the field, documenting current ecosystems and conducting geological research.
This broader approach means the project is not limited to excavation alone. It includes environmental studies, cultural heritage management, and documentation of traditional lifestyles that have survived in the region.
Excavations May Continue for Years
Karahantepe covers an area of 12 hectares, but only about 6,000 square meters have been excavated so far. Even within those areas, deeper layers remain unexplored.
Because of this, it is difficult to predict when the excavation work will be completed. Each year brings new discoveries and valuable data. Karul even stated that, in his opinion, the excavation work should never end due to its immense scientific value.
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