Sefertepe

Excavations at Sefertepe, carried out between 2021 and 2025, continue to uncover the architectural and cultural richness of this important Neolithic settlement. Work conducted across eleven trenches has begun to reveal the site’s spatial organization, offering new insights into early settled life.

The settlement is defined by rectangular buildings dating to the Pre-Pottery Neolithic B period. These interconnected structures form expanding complexes and include architectural features such as benches, buttresses, niches, and platforms. Some floors were built directly on bedrock, while others were carefully prepared using lime and clay mixtures—early examples of terrazzo flooring. Alongside domestic spaces, the site also features communal or special-use buildings, including the so-called “skull niche” and “skull room,” which are thought to provide important clues about Neolithic burial practices.

Among the finds, beads stand out as one of the most diverse groups. Crafted from materials such as jade, serpentine, limestone, labradorite, and bone, they appear in a wide range of forms, including unique examples shaped like animals and human figures. Some of these designs are distinctive to Sefertepe, reflecting its unique artistic character.

A particularly striking discovery from the 2025 season is a group of human face reliefs carved onto limestone blocks within a special platform area. These faces display a distinctive style, with carefully rendered facial features and high-quality craftsmanship, setting them apart from examples known at other Taş Tepeler sites.

Another remarkable find is a finely incised depiction of a young wild boar engraved on the back of a grinding stone, demonstrating both artistic skill and symbolic expression. Similar techniques are known from nearby sites, highlighting shared cultural traditions across the region.

Ongoing interdisciplinary research—including archaeozoology, geoarchaeology, and archaeobotany—continues to shed light on the settlement’s environment and way of life. At the same time, conservation efforts are underway to preserve both architectural remains and small finds, alongside plans for future visitor infrastructure. At the same time, conservation and restoration efforts have been initiated to preserve both architectural remains and small finds. Particular attention is being given to the restoration of fragmented stone pillars discovered in earlier excavation seasons. Plans are also underway for the development of visitor infrastructure, including a welcome center and protective shelter systems, ensuring that Sefertepe can be experienced while safeguarding its archaeological heritage for the future.