New Discoveries: 10,000-Year-Old Artifacts at Göbekli Tepe’s Sister Site, Sefer Tepe

In southeastern Turkey, a fascinating discovery has emerged from the excavation of Sefer Tepe, one of 12 ancient archaeological sites that share cultural and architectural links with the renowned Göbekli Tepe and Karahan Tepe. These sites, attributed to the Pre-Pottery Neolithic period, continue to reveal impressive insights into the lives, craftsmanship, and beliefs of ancient people who lived over 10,000 years ago.

A Growing Archaeological Network

Göbekli Tepe and Karahan Tepe are among the most studied sites in Turkey’s Şanlıurfa region. Together with Sefer Tepe and others, they form an interconnected network representing a complex Neolithic culture that spanned thousands of years. This culture is notable not only for its monumental stone architecture but also for the advanced societal structures and intricate artifacts that have been discovered at these locations. While research has long focused on Göbekli Tepe and Karahan Tepe, recent excavation efforts have expanded to the lesser-known sites, such as Sefer Tepe, yielding remarkable findings.

Sefer Tepe, located near the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, was discovered in 2003, but excavations began only in 2021. Despite its relatively recent exploration, the site has already provided a wealth of information about Neolithic life. The site spans about 1,000 square meters and appears to have been constructed directly onto bedrock, featuring a quadrangular layout. It contains well-preserved walls, T-shaped pillars, and a variety of artifacts that suggest it was a permanent settlement occupied approximately 10,500 to 11,000 years ago.

Architecture and Craftsmanship

One of the most striking features of Sefer Tepe is its architectural complexity. The site includes both rectangular and oval-shaped buildings, all meticulously planned and constructed. Several T-shaped pillars, similar to those found at Göbekli Tepe, were discovered at Sefer Tepe. These pillars are thought to hold symbolic significance, perhaps representing ancestral spirits or deities. Some pillars are plain, while others bear intricate carvings and motifs, such as the image of a human arm bent at the elbow—an element also seen in the carvings at Göbekli Tepe and Karahan Tepe.

Notably, the quarry used for these pillars has been located on-site, with visible cut marks showing how ancient builders extracted and shaped the stones. This on-site quarrying method contrasts with other sites, where stones were often sourced from distant cliffs and transported. Sefer Tepe’s quarry suggests a highly localized construction process, emphasizing the site’s self-sufficiency and resourcefulness.

A Bead-Making Hub

One of the most fascinating aspects of Sefer Tepe is its apparent role as a center for bead production. Excavations have uncovered a staggering variety of beads in multiple sizes, shapes, and materials. These beads are thought to have been used for adornment, such as necklaces and bracelets, and could have held symbolic or cultural significance. Materials for bead-making included chlorite, marble, limestone, labradorite, aquamarine, and jade—some of which were sourced from distant regions, suggesting trade networks.

Among the recent discoveries is a snake-head bead made from jade, showcasing impressive craftsmanship for the period. Other notable beads feature shapes like leopards, humans, and vultures, marking the first time such intricate designs have been found in Neolithic Turkey. Some beads depict a human figure carrying a vulture or vice versa, possibly symbolizing life, death, or spiritual beliefs. These new bead forms, along with existing discoveries, highlight Sefer Tepe as an important center of cultural exchange and artistry.

Symbolic Artifacts and Ritual Objects

Sefer Tepe has also yielded several artifacts believed to hold symbolic significance. Among them are a T-shaped stone artifact and another stone resembling a carved human head. These items may have served ritualistic purposes or symbolized human figures, connecting the living with ancestral or divine forces.

Another unique find is a limestone artifact with 13 holes on each side, arranged in a deliberate pattern with small engraved lines. A similar object with 15 dots was also discovered. The purpose of these artifacts is still unknown, but their distinct patterns and craftsmanship suggest they may have held cultural or religious significance, perhaps used in rituals or as counting tools.

Evidence of Trade and Interaction

The discovery of jade beads and artifacts at Sefer Tepe is especially intriguing, as jade is not native to Turkey. The nearest sources of jade are in Israel, Palestine, or even farther south, indicating that the people of Sefer Tepe engaged in long-distance trade. This suggests that the site was not isolated but was part of a broader network of Neolithic communities that exchanged goods, ideas, and cultural practices across considerable distances.

Human and Animal Remains

Sefer Tepe has also provided insights into the burial practices and dietary habits of its inhabitants. Excavations uncovered human bones, including skull fragments, jawbones, long bones, and finger bones. However, these remains do not appear to be primary burials. Instead, it seems certain bones were reburied at the site, indicating possible secondary burial practices, a common feature of Pre-Pottery Neolithic sites. This ritualistic handling of human remains suggests a belief system that honored the dead and possibly attributed spiritual significance to specific bones.

A particularly intriguing find is a human skull, almost fully intact except for the lower jaw, discovered inside a niche within a communal structure. This positioning suggests the skull may have been displayed as a form of ancestor worship or as part of a shrine. While large stone heads have been found at Karahan Tepe and other sites, the skull at Sefer Tepe could represent one of the earliest instances of a human head placed in such a manner.

Alongside human remains, bones of 14 different wild animal species, such as deer, horses, hedgehogs, and rabbits, were identified. The lack of domesticated animals indicates that agriculture had not yet been established, and the inhabitants relied primarily on hunting and gathering for sustenance.

The Ongoing Legacy of Sefer Tepe

Sefer Tepe continues to reshape our understanding of Pre-Pottery Neolithic life in the ancient Near East. Its architectural sophistication, bead-making industry, and symbolic artifacts illustrate a complex society that was not only self-sustaining but also engaged in regional trade and cultural exchange. The discovery of ritualistic practices, such as secondary burials and possibly ancestor worship, hints at a deep spiritual life that permeated the daily lives of these early settlers.

As excavation continues, researchers hope to uncover more clues that will shed light on the beliefs, economy, and social organization of the people who built and inhabited Sefer Tepe. This site, along with its neighboring archaeological wonders, is helping archaeologists piece together the larger cultural mosaic of the Pre-Pottery Neolithic era, offering glimpses into a world that thrived thousands of years before the advent of writing or organized states.

Sefer Tepe’s bead craftsmanship and architectural marvels underscore the ingenuity of early human societies and demonstrate that cultural development was far from a linear process. This discovery is not only a milestone in archaeological research but also a testament to the enduring legacy of ancient civilizations that shaped our shared human heritage.