Sefertepe

Imagine a doorway opening into the mysterious world of people who lived thousands of years ago. That is exactly what Sefertepe, located in Şanlıurfa, represents! This was a village from a very ancient time, when humans had not yet learned to make pottery from clay and lived by hunting and gathering. Exploring Sefertepe is like stepping into a time machine and becoming a guest in the lives of those ancient people.

Time Travel

Let us travel back in time! We are journeying to approximately 11,000 years ago, to an era known as the Pre-Pottery Neolithic Period. During this time, humans began forming villages and living together for the first time. They had not yet learned to make pottery from clay, but they crafted remarkable tools and statues from stone. Sefertepe is one of the special sites that provide us with invaluable insights into this period—older even than the pyramids!

The Discovery of a Hill

The story of Sefertepe’s discovery is quite fascinating. A curious history student named Sefer noticed large T-shaped stones in his village, similar to those at Göbeklitepe, and told his teacher about them. Subsequent investigations revealed that the hill was in fact a treasure trove of thousands of years of history, and the newly discovered site was named after the student who spotted it—Sefer.

Archaeologists began excavations at the site in 2021. These excavations are part of a larger project called the “Stone Hills.” Thanks to this project, not only Sefertepe but also many other ancient settlements in the surrounding area are being brought to light.

Life at Sefertepe

The people who lived at Sefertepe built structures very different from today’s homes. The most striking feature of these buildings is the large, T-shaped carved standing stones. It is believed that these stones represented humans and were used for gatherings and rituals. The walls were constructed from stone, and the floors were plastered with a mixture of lime and clay.

The inhabitants of this ancient village were skilled hunters. Animal bones uncovered during excavations show that they hunted many wild animals such as gazelle, wild boar, and rabbit. To prepare their food, they made sharp tools, arrowheads, and scrapers from flint and obsidian—a type of volcanic glass.

Unique Discoveries

Archaeologists found at Sefertepe not only stone tools but also extraordinary artifacts that reflect the art and belief systems of people from that era. Among the most exciting finds are beads made from stone brought from distant regions, such as jadeite. One bead bears a leopard figure, while another depicts an eagle and a human figure. These discoveries show that these people were highly skilled in art and engaged in trade with other communities.

Excavations also uncovered human skulls in special niches. This practice reveals that their traditions and beliefs surrounding life and death were very different from ours. These findings serve as clues for scientists trying to understand how these ancient people perceived the world.