SANLIURFA: Archaeologists have discovered an approximately 11,000-year-old stone sculpture depicting a human figure riding a leopard at Karahantepe, near the southeastern Turkish city of Sanliurfa.
The 70-centimetre sculpture was found during this year’s excavations at the ancient site, offering further evidence of the artistic and cultural practices of early human communities in the region.
Unique Discovery at Karahantepe
Türkiye’s Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy said the sculpture was discovered on a bench along the wall of a structure measuring about three metres in diameter. The structure had a floor paved with flat stones.
In a social media post, Ersoy described the find as a unique three-dimensional sculpture unlike any previously encountered at the site.
The discovery is significant because Karahantepe is part of a wider group of prehistoric sites in southeastern Türkiye that are helping archaeologists better understand early settlements and the cultural practices of ancient communities.
Excavations Continue Under Heritage Project
The sculpture was uncovered as part of ongoing archaeological excavations under Türkiye’s Heritage to the Future project, which aims to expand archaeological research, excavation and conservation at sites across the country.
Researchers are continuing work at Karahantepe, with further discoveries expected to provide additional insight into the region’s prehistoric communities and their relationship with animals and symbolic art.
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