Free Republic

Archaeologists working in southeastern Turkey have uncovered new evidence that expands the known reach of one of the world’s earliest monumental cultures. The find is reshaping how researchers understand the Neolithic transition in Upper Mesopotamia. Stone structures featuring Göbeklitepe-style T-pillars have been identified in the Samsat district of Adıyaman. The remains surfaced after falling water levels in the Atatürk Dam reservoir exposed land that had remained underwater for decades. Discovery triggered by retreating waters The site lies near Kızılöz village, where receding waters revealed stone features along the shoreline. After a report from residents, teams from the Adıyaman Museum Directorate...

Archaeologists are excavating an ancient Neolithic site in Turkey that is believed to represent one of the earliest found in the region, potentially even predating the famous site of Göbekli Tepe. The new site, dubbed Mendik Tepe, was discovered in the Eyyübiye area in Şanlıurfa, Turkey, and offers archaeologists an unprecedented look at the early human activities in the region, contrasting in many ways with its famous nearby counterpart, now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Excavations are currently being led by Professor Douglas Baird of the University of Liverpool, supported by the British Institute of Archaeology and the...