Archaeological excavations conducted at the Karahantepe site in Turkey have unearthed a composite sculpture dating back approximately 11,000 years. The discovery, made during the 2026 excavation season as part of the “Heritage for the Future” project, was announced by Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy. Excavations at Karahantepe began in 2019 and have uncovered new structures and artifacts every year. During the 2026 excavation season, a sculpture characterized by a style previously undocumented at the site was discovered in one of the identified structures.
The work, approximately 70 centimeters tall, depicts a human figure sitting on the back of a leopard, thus combining a human and an animal figure in a single subject. Of particular significance is the fact that the artifact was found in the very spot where it had been placed some 11,000 years ago.
The sculpture was found inside a circular structure with a diameter of about three meters. Excavations confirmed that the floor was paved with flattened stone slabs and that the artifact had been placed on a platform running along the wall of the structure. According to Ersoy, the discovery could spark new discussions about the earliest phases of human history and the ways in which human and animal figures were depicted.
“We have unearthed a unique 11,000-year-old statue at Karahantepe,” says Minister Ersoy. “During the 2026 excavations, conducted as part of our ‘Legacy forthe Future’ project, we found a composite statue of an unprecedented style. The statue, 70 centimeters tall and found exactly where it was left some 11,000 years ago, depicts a human figure seated on the back of a leopard. This remarkable artifact was discovered on a platform, approximately 3 meters in diameter, that ran along the wall of a structure lined with flat stones. “I believe this discovery, which raises new questions about the earliest periods of human history, will have a significant impact on the scientific community. I would like to thank the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums, our excavation team, our scientists, and all the team members who worked with dedication in the field.”
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| Turkey: An 11,000-Year-Old Sculpture Discovered—A Man Sitting on the Back of a Leopard |
The author of this article: Noemi Capoccia
Originaria di Lecce, classe 1995, ha conseguito la laurea presso l'Accademia di Belle Arti di Carrara nel 2021. Le sue passioni sono l'arte antica e l'archeologia. Dal 2024 lavora in Finestre sull'Arte.Warning: the translation into English of the original Italian article was created using automatic tools. We undertake to review all articles, but we do not guarantee the total absence of inaccuracies in the translation due to the program. You can find the original by clicking on the ITA button. If you find any mistake,please contact us.
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