Yesemek Archaeological Site is located on the slopes of Karatepe in Yesemek Village, southeast of İslahiye district in Gaziantep Province, Türkiye. Spanning an area of approximately 300 by 400 meters, this site was active from the late 2nd millennium BCE until the end of the 8th century BCE. It functioned as the largest stone quarry and sculpture workshop in the Ancient Near East. Throughout different periods, production at Yesemek was influenced by Hittite, Syrian, Aramaic, and Assyrian artistic traditions. The site is distinguished by its archaeological remains that document various stages of the production process.
Yesemek Archaeological Site(Türkiye Kültür Portalı)
Historical Development and Function
The Yesemek Archaeological Site is understood to have been established during the reign of King Šuppiluliuma I of the Hittite Empire, which controlled the region between 1375 and 1335 BCE. During this period, the local Hurrian population was employed at the site. After an initial phase of diminished activity, the site experienced a revival starting in the 9th century BCE during the Late Hittite Kingdoms period. In this second phase, artistic styles from the Hittites, Syrians, Aramaeans, and Assyrians influenced production.
By the last quarter of the 8th century BCE, following the destruction of the Sam’al (Zincirli) Kingdom by the Assyrian Empire, activities at the Yesemek site ceased. The craftsmen were taken to Assyria, and the area was abandoned. Since then, the site has remained preserved in its original state without further use.
Art and Production Process
Production activities at Yesemek Archaeological Site can be traced from the initial quarrying of stone blocks to the successive stages of carving statues and reliefs. The most frequently encountered works include gate lions, sphinxes, seated and winged lions, reliefs representing the Mountain God of the Amanos Mountains, and battle scenes.
Yesemek Archaeological Site(Türkiye Kültür Portalı)
The primary material used at the site is basalt stone, characterized by its fine porosity and hardness. A total of 518 sculpture and orthostat drafts have been identified at the site. These drafts provide significant data for documenting the technical stages of the sculpting art.
Discovery and Archaeological Research
Yesemek Archaeological Site was first discovered in 1890 by Felix von Luschan on behalf of the German Oriental Research Institute during excavations at Zincirli (Sam’al). Systematic archaeological excavations were conducted between 1957 and 1961 under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Bahadır Alkım, resulting in the uncovering of approximately 200 sculpture drafts.
Subsequent excavations led by archaeologist İlhan Temizsoy increased this number to 300. Currently, a total of 518 stone sculptures and drafts have been documented. The site has been developed into an open-air museum by the Gaziantep Museum Directorate. In 2005, environmental landscaping efforts were carried out in cooperation with the private sector.
Yesemek Archaeological Site(Türkiye Kültür Portalı)
UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List
Yesemek Archaeological Site was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List on April 13, 2012. The site represents a comprehensive production center where all stages of stone quarrying and sculpture-making activities can be observed. In this respect, it functions as a unique sculpture workshop in the ancient world.
Location and Physical Characteristics
Yesemek Archaeological Site is located 113 kilometers from the city center of Gaziantep and 23 kilometers from the İslahiye district. It is situated on the slopes of Karatepe, rising approximately 90 meters from the nearby riverbed. The area is characterized by abundant basalt rock formations, providing suitable natural material for sculpting activities.
