Aerial view of an archaeological karahan tepe excavation site with ruins and trenches in a desert landscape.
Ancient archaeological site with a stone well or structure, surrounded by rocks and grassy terrain under a partly cloudy sky during sunset or sunrise.

🧱 About Karahan Tepe

Karahan Tepe is one of the oldest known ritual sites on Earth, dating back nearly 12,000 years. Hidden in the rocky hills of southeastern Turkey near Şanlıurfa, it belongs to the Taş Tepeler (“Stone Hills”) cultural region — a network of Neolithic sites that includes Göbekli Tepe, Sefer Tepe, Sayburç, and others.

What makes Karahan Tepe unique are its:

  • Underground ritual chambers carved directly into bedrock

  • Life-sized human sculptures, including the haunting Corpse Statue

  • Phallic T-pillars, abstract symbols, and animal carvings like leopards

Who’s Excavating Karahan Tepe?

The official archaeological excavations at Karahan Tepe are led by Dr. Necmi Karul, professor at Istanbul University, as part of the Taş Tepeler project supported by Turkey’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

While KarahanTepe.net is an independent educational initiative, we deeply respect and follow the groundbreaking work of Dr. Karul and his team. Our goal is to make the discoveries of this important site more accessible to a global audience

What sets Karahan Tepe apart is its underground ritual chambers, life-sized human sculptures, leopard carvings, phallic pillars, and its unique architectural use of carved bedrock. The discovery of the haunting Corpse statue, a seated, anatomically detailed figure, has deepened the mystery and made the site central to new theories about early human spirituality.

Large weathered rock in a dry, rocky landscape under clear blue sky, with smaller rocks scattered around around and no vegetation.
Ancient stone stele with carvings and inscriptions, set against a stone wall.

🌐 About KarahanTepe.net

KarahanTepe.net is the first independent digital archive dedicated entirely to Karahan Tepe and the wider Taş Tepeler complex.

We exist to:

  • Make discoveries accessible to the global public

  • Provide clear breakdowns of symbolism, site layout, and meaning

  • Share maps, field photos, and up-to-date excavation reports

  • Offer blogs and deep dives for both the curious and the academic

  • Connect visitors with trusted tour guides via SanliurfaTour.com

📸 Who We Are

This project is run by The Community Garden Foundation, a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on cultural preservation through education, storytelling, and ethical tours.

Our team has been on the ground since 2018, documenting the evolution of Karahan Tepe from before its first full excavations to the most recent discoveries. We've captured the rise of the Ribbed Man statue, the exposed enclosures, and the deepening mystery, building a visual and narrative archive for future generations.

📬 For contributions, collaborations, or press inquiries, email: info@thecommunitygarden.org