Ayanlar Mound

Have you ever imagined a hill in Şanlıurfa, beneath whose soil lie thousands of years of secrets? This is exactly what Ayanlar Höyük is! This site preserves the remains of an important center established by people who lived in very ancient times.

Ayanlar Höyük is one of the ancient sites known as Taş Tepeler, alongside Göbeklitepe and Karahantepe. Archaeologists—scientists who study traces of the past—are working here to understand how people lived 12,000 years ago. Come, let us journey together into the world of our ancestors.

What Has Been Found at Ayanlar Höyük?

Although no large temples have yet been uncovered at Ayanlar Höyük, the discoveries made so far are highly exciting. Archaeologists found a base stone with depressions used to set up large T-shaped stone pillars. This suggests that monumental structures similar to those at Göbeklitepe may have once existed here.

In addition, a fragment of a stone statue was discovered. Scientists believe this fragment may have belonged to a lion’s head. This reveals how significant animal figures were to the people living in that era.

In addition, objects used in daily life have also been uncovered. Basalt stones used for grinding food, as well as vessels and plates made of limestone, were found. These artifacts show that the people of that time were not only focused on survival but also created tools to improve their everyday lives.

What Was Life Like Back Then?

The Pre-Pottery Neolithic Period to which Ayanlar Höyük belongs was a crucial time in human history. During this period, people began establishing villages and practicing agriculture for the first time. In other words, they transitioned from a nomadic lifestyle to settling in one place. However, as the name suggests, they had not yet learned to make pottery from clay.

Ayanlar Höyük is thought to have been a major gathering and ritual center, or a “cult center.” This means that different groups of people likely came together at specific times to perform important ceremonies. The large number of grinding stones found here may indicate that food was prepared for large crowds.

Ayanlar Höyük (Generated by Artificial Intelligence.)

A Journey Through Time

We have said that life at Ayanlar Höyük took place approximately 12,000 years ago. How ancient is that? It is 7,000 years before the construction of the Egyptian pyramids and more than 10,000 years before the founding of the Roman Empire. So ancient, in fact, that writing had not yet been invented.