GGöbekli Tepe Visit

MOTIF RECORD · 18 OBJECT RECORDS · CHECKED 2026-10-22

Human figures at Göbekli Tepe and Taş Tepeler

Human representations range from human-form pillars to naturalistic statues, reliefs and human–animal composites. Each record keeps its source’s wording.

Interpretive note: Descriptions retain the wording and uncertainty of the cited sources; a motif tag records a described depiction, not an agreed meaning. Sources: Of animals and a headless man: Göbekli Tepe, Pillar 43 2016Göbekli Tepe: The Imagery of the Pillars in the Monumental Buildings A–D, F and H 2025The Göbekli Tepe “Totem Pole” 2017Karahantepe’de insan yüzlü T biçimli dikilitaş bulundu 202511,000-year-old sculpture of human figure riding leopard found in Türkiye 2026Sayburç relief published as earliest known narrative scene 2022Şanlıurfa Archaeology Museum guide retrieved 2026-10-22Geometry and Architectural Planning at Göbekli Tepe, Turkey 202012 bin yıllık hafıza yeniden ayağa kalktı 2025Tarihin Sıfır Noktasında İlk Boyalı Heykel Bulundu 2023Şanlıurfa Müzesi Arkeolojik Eser Kataloğu 2021The passage of matter: Transformations of objects and ritual meanings in the Neolithic of the Near East 2013A Queer Feminist Perspective on the Early Neolithic Urfa Region: The Ecstatic Agency of the Phallus 2025Bakan Ersoy Yeni Keşifleri Tanıttı 2025Sefertepe'deki sanatsal farklılık, yaklaşık 10 bin yıllık insan yüzü kabartmalarıyla ortaya çıktı 2025A rather odd figure: The so-called Kilisik Sculpture from Adıyaman, Turkey 2019A Male Figurine from Harbetsuvan Tepesi 2018

Broad stone face of Pillar 43 with animal reliefs and geometric carvings, surrounded by excavated masonry.
Pillar 43 (Vulture Stone): Pillar 43, with carved reliefs, in Enclosure D.Photo: Guérin Nicolas, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia CommonsPhoto credits & licences

Depiction in cited source: A headless male figure is described near the lower part of the pillar. Of animals and a headless man: Göbekli Tepe, Pillar 43 2016

Interpretations recorded for this object

Göbekli Tepe · pillar · CHECKED 2026-10-22

Pillars 18 and 31

Enclosure D · PPNA, Layer III

Record sources: Göbekli Tepe – The first 20 Years of ResearchGöbekli Tepe – The first 20 Years of Research

Pillars 18 and 31
No licensed photograph of this object is in the image register.

Depiction in cited source: Excavators describe the paired central pillars as stylised human figures. Göbekli Tepe: The Imagery of the Pillars in the Monumental Buildings A–D, F and H 2025

Interpretations recorded for this object

Upright stone sculpture with stacked figures on a museum plinth, casting a shadow on the wall.
Totem-like sculpture: A carved, multi-figure sculpture from Göbekli Tepe displayed in the museum.Photo: Dosseman, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia CommonsPhoto credits & licences

Depiction in cited source: The sculpture is described as vertically arranged human-like heads and figures. The Göbekli Tepe “Totem Pole” 2017

Interpretations recorded for this object

Karahan Tepe · pillar · CHECKED 2026-10-22

Human-faced T-shaped pillar

In situ at Karahan Tepe · PPNA, c. 10th millennium BC (reported)

Record sources: Karahantepe’de insan yüzlü T biçimli dikilitaş bulunduKarahantepe (site report)

Human-faced T-shaped pillar
No licensed photograph of this object is in the image register.

Depiction in cited source: A reported T-shaped pillar bears a carved human face. Karahantepe’de insan yüzlü T biçimli dikilitaş bulundu 2025

Identification note: The face identification is reported pending detailed excavation publication.

Interpretations recorded for this object

Karahan Tepe · statue · CHECKED 2026-10-22

Human figure seated on a leopard

Reported from Karahan Tepe; current display/storage location not confirmed · PPNA, reported as about 11,000 years old

Record sources: 11,000-year-old sculpture of human figure riding leopard found in TürkiyeKarahantepe (site report)

Human figure seated on a leopard
No licensed photograph of this object is in the image register.

Depiction in cited source: A composite sculpture depicts a human figure seated on a leopard. 11,000-year-old sculpture of human figure riding leopard found in Türkiye 2026

Interpretations recorded for this object

Sayburç · relief · CHECKED 2026-10-22

Sayburç relief panel

Communal building, wall bench · PPNA, 9th millennium BC

Record sources: Sayburç: a new Neolithic site in southeastern TurkeySayburç relief published as earliest known narrative scene

Rectangular trenches, low stone walls and upright stone blocks at the Sayburç excavation.
Sayburç relief panel: Excavated area at the Neolithic site of Sayburç.Photo: Frantisek Trampota, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsPhoto credits & licences

Depiction in cited source: The panel includes a standing human and a crouching human figure. Sayburç relief published as earliest known narrative scene 2022

Interpretations recorded for this object

Yeni Mahalle / Balıklıgöl Höyüğü · statue · CHECKED 2026-10-22

Urfa Man / Balıklıgöl statue

Şanlıurfa Archaeology Museum · PPNA, c. 9300–8700 BCE (official museum guide)

Record sources: Şanlıurfa Archaeology Museum guideŞanlıurfa Archaeology Museum (visitor and collection page)

Close frontal view of Urfa Man's pale stone head, dark inset eyes and long nose against a black background.
Urfa Man / Balıklıgöl statue: The Urfa Man statue displayed in the Şanlıurfa Archaeology Museum.Photo: Dosseman, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia CommonsPhoto credits & licences

Depiction in cited source: The standing limestone statue is identified as a human figure. Şanlıurfa Archaeology Museum guide retrieved 2026-10-22

Interpretations recorded for this object

Nevalı Çori · pillar · CHECKED 2026-10-22

T-shaped pillars of Nevalı Çori

Cult building / Temple II · PPNB, c. 8400–8100 BC

Record sources: Nevalı ÇoriGeometry and Architectural Planning at Göbekli Tepe, TurkeyŞanlıurfa Archaeology Museum (visitor and collection page)

T-shaped stone stela stands among reconstructed stone walls inside a museum gallery.
T-shaped pillars of Nevalı Çori: A stela from Nevalı Çori displayed in the Şanlıurfa Archaeology Museum.Photo: Marco Restano, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia CommonsPhoto credits & licences

Depiction in cited source: The central Nevalı Çori pillar is described with anthropomorphic features. Geometry and Architectural Planning at Göbekli Tepe, Turkey 2020

Interpretations recorded for this object

Göbekli Tepe · statue · CHECKED 2026-10-22

Human statue set horizontally in a wall at Göbekli Tepe

Reported in a room wall between Structures B and D; found lying horizontally. · No calibrated date for the object is given in the discovery announcements.

Record sources: 12 bin yıllık hafıza yeniden ayağa kalktıRare human statue discovered at eastern Türkiye’s Göbeklitepe sheds light on Neolithic rituals

Human statue set horizontally in a wall at Göbekli Tepe
No licensed photograph of this object is in the image register.

Depiction in cited source: The Ministry describes a human-shaped statue set horizontally into a wall. 12 bin yıllık hafıza yeniden ayağa kalktı 2025

Interpretations recorded for this object

Karahan Tepe · statue · CHECKED 2026-10-22

Seated human statue with emphasized ribs and spine

Found fixed into a bench within a building at Karahan Tepe. · Neolithic; the public announcements give no calibrated date for this statue.

Record sources: Tarihin Sıfır Noktasında İlk Boyalı Heykel BulunduNew statues unearthed in Türkiye's ancient Göbeklitepe, Karahantepe sites

Seated human statue with emphasized ribs and spine
No licensed photograph of this object is in the image register.

Depiction in cited source: A seated human figure with emphasized ribs and spine is reported from Karahan Tepe. Tarihin Sıfır Noktasında İlk Boyalı Heykel Bulundu 2023

Interpretations recorded for this object

Karahan Tepe · statue · CHECKED 2026-10-22

Human figure carrying a leopard

Three-dimensional sculpture from Karahan Tepe; the museum catalogue and reporting identify the human figure as carrying a leopard on its back. · Pre-Pottery Neolithic; no object-specific calibrated date is supplied.

Record sources: Şanlıurfa Müzesi Arkeolojik Eser KataloğuHuman depictions, 3D sculptures of Karahantepe site to shed light on history

A weathered stone figure of a person bent forward beneath a leopard, shown in close-up.
Human figure carrying a leopard: The Karahantepe sculpture labelled “Human Carrying a Leopard on Back” at the Şanlıurfa Archaeology Museum.Photo: Dosseman, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia CommonsPhoto credits & licences

Depiction in cited source: A composite sculpture shows a human figure carrying a leopard on the back. Şanlıurfa Müzesi Arkeolojik Eser Kataloğu 2021

Interpretations recorded for this object

Nevalı Çori · statue · CHECKED 2026-10-22

Human-headed bird figure from Building III

Cult Building III, east-side bench, latest phase · Middle PPNB, c. 8500–7950 cal BC, according to the cited study.

Record sources: The passage of matter: Transformations of objects and ritual meanings in the Neolithic of the Near EastA Queer Feminist Perspective on the Early Neolithic Urfa Region: The Ecstatic Agency of the Phallus

Human-headed bird figure from Building III
No licensed photograph of this object is in the image register.

Depiction in cited source: The small composite figure combines human and bird-like features. The passage of matter: Transformations of objects and ritual meanings in the Neolithic of the Near East 2013

Interpretations recorded for this object

Human–bird composite sculpture from Building II
No licensed photograph of this object is in the image register.

Depiction in cited source: The composite sculpture combines human and bird elements. The passage of matter: Transformations of objects and ritual meanings in the Neolithic of the Near East 2013

Interpretations recorded for this object

Nevalı Çori · object · CHECKED 2026-10-22

Limestone vessel fragment with raised-arm figures

A limestone vessel fragment from Nevalı Çori; the specific excavated context is not established in the cited literature. · Pre-Pottery Neolithic B; no object-specific calibrated date is given.

Record sources: A Queer Feminist Perspective on the Early Neolithic Urfa Region: The Ecstatic Agency of the PhallusThe passage of matter: Transformations of objects and ritual meanings in the Neolithic of the Near East

Limestone vessel fragment with raised-arm figures
No licensed photograph of this object is in the image register.

Depiction in cited source: The vessel fragment bears two human figures with raised arms. A Queer Feminist Perspective on the Early Neolithic Urfa Region: The Ecstatic Agency of the Phallus 2025

Interpretations recorded for this object

Sayburç · statue · CHECKED 2026-10-22

Small carved figure with a stitched-looking mouth

Reported from the 2025 excavation season; a detailed excavation context is not yet published. · Neolithic; a calibrated date for the object has not been published.

Record sources: Bakan Ersoy Yeni Keşifleri TanıttıStitched-mouth Neolithic statue from Sayburc reshapes understanding of death rituals in Tas Tepeler

Small carved figure with a stitched-looking mouth
No licensed photograph of this object is in the image register.

Depiction in cited source: A small carved figure is described as human-like. Bakan Ersoy Yeni Keşifleri Tanıttı 2025

Identification note: The reported identification is human-like; the marks and their meaning remain uncertain.

Interpretations recorded for this object

Sefer Tepe · relief · CHECKED 2026-10-22

Paired human faces on a dressed stone block

Reported set at the front corners of a stone platform at Sefertepe. · Reported as Neolithic / PPNB; no calibrated date for the block has been published.

Record sources: Bakan Ersoy Yeni Keşifleri TanıttıSefertepe'deki sanatsal farklılık, yaklaşık 10 bin yıllık insan yüzü kabartmalarıyla ortaya çıktıSefertepe 2025, in Arkeolojik Kazı ve Araştırmalar Toplantısı – 23: Bildiri Özetleri

Paired human faces on a dressed stone block
No licensed photograph of this object is in the image register.

Depiction in cited source: Two human faces are carved on one dressed stone block. Sefertepe'deki sanatsal farklılık, yaklaşık 10 bin yıllık insan yüzü kabartmalarıyla ortaya çıktı 2025

Interpretations recorded for this object

Kilisik · statue · CHECKED 2026-10-22

Kilisik composite limestone sculpture

Found near the village of Kilisik in Adıyaman; the original archaeological context is uncertain. · Early Neolithic / PPNB in cited scholarship; no secure excavated context or calibrated date is available.

Record sources: A rather odd figure: The so-called Kilisik Sculpture from Adıyaman, TurkeyPerson or Penis? Interpreting a ‘New’ PPNB Anthropomorphic Statue from the Taurus Foothills

Kilisik composite limestone sculpture
No licensed photograph of this object is in the image register.

Depiction in cited source: The limestone sculpture combines a large human-like figure with a smaller figure. A rather odd figure: The so-called Kilisik Sculpture from Adıyaman, Turkey 2019

Interpretations recorded for this object

Harbetsuvan Tepesi · statue · CHECKED 2026-10-22

Seated male statue from Harbetsuvan Tepesi

Recovered during excavations at Harbetsuvan Tepesi; exact structure and context are not detailed in the cited public summary. · Site finds are attributed to PPNB; the statue itself has no published calibrated date in cited sources.

Record sources: Harbetsuvan (site page)A Male Figurine from Harbetsuvan TepesiŞanlıurfa İli Neolitik Dönem Yüzey Araştırması Sonucunda Ortaya Çıkan Yeni Bilgi ve Bulgular

Seated male statue from Harbetsuvan Tepesi
No licensed photograph of this object is in the image register.

Depiction in cited source: The seated statue is identified in the source as a male human figure. A Male Figurine from Harbetsuvan Tepesi 2018

Interpretations recorded for this object

Sources

Source wording is attached to individual records above. The register includes sources used for depiction evidence and attributed interpretations.

  1. Of animals and a headless man: Göbekli Tepe, Pillar 43Tepe Telegrams, DAI · 2016 · excavator · retrieved 2026-10-22
  2. Göbekli Tepe: The Imagery of the Pillars in the Monumental Buildings A–D, F and HGerman Archaeological Institute / Reichert Verlag · 2025 · scholarly-monograph · retrieved 2026-10-22
  3. The Göbekli Tepe “Totem Pole”German Archaeological Institute · 2017 · excavator · retrieved 2026-10-22
  4. Karahantepe’de insan yüzlü T biçimli dikilitaş bulunduAnadolu Agency · 2025 · news · retrieved 2026-10-22
  5. 11,000-year-old sculpture of human figure riding leopard found in TürkiyeAnadolu Agency · 2026 · news · retrieved 2026-10-22
  6. Sayburç relief published as earliest known narrative sceneTepe Telegrams, DAI · 2022 · excavator · retrieved 2026-10-22
  7. Şanlıurfa Archaeology Museum guideGo Türkiye / Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency · official · retrieved 2026-10-22
  8. Geometry and Architectural Planning at Göbekli Tepe, TurkeyGil Haklay and Avi Gopher, Cambridge Archaeological Journal · 2020 · peer-reviewed · retrieved 2026-10-22
  9. 12 bin yıllık hafıza yeniden ayağa kalktıT.C. Ministry of Culture and Tourism press office · 2025 · official-press-release · retrieved 2026-10-22
  10. Tarihin Sıfır Noktasında İlk Boyalı Heykel BulunduT.C. Ministry of Culture and Tourism press office · 2023 · official-press-release · retrieved 2026-10-22
  11. Şanlıurfa Müzesi Arkeolojik Eser KataloğuNecmi Karul, Nihat Kozbe and Derya Yavuzkır; Şanlıurfa Metropolitan Municipality / ŞURKAV · 2021 · museum-catalogue · retrieved 2026-10-22
  12. The passage of matter: Transformations of objects and ritual meanings in the Neolithic of the Near EastMarc Verhoeven, in Ritual Failure: Archaeological Perspectives, Sidestone Press · 2013 · scholarly-book-chapter · retrieved 2026-10-22
  13. A Queer Feminist Perspective on the Early Neolithic Urfa Region: The Ecstatic Agency of the PhallusEmre Deniz Yurttaş, Cambridge Archaeological Journal · 2025 · peer-reviewed · retrieved 2026-10-22
  14. Bakan Ersoy Yeni Keşifleri TanıttıŞanlıurfa Governorship · 2025 · official-press-release · retrieved 2026-10-22
  15. Sefertepe'deki sanatsal farklılık, yaklaşık 10 bin yıllık insan yüzü kabartmalarıyla ortaya çıktıAnadolu Agency · 2025 · field-reporting · retrieved 2026-10-22
  16. A rather odd figure: The so-called Kilisik Sculpture from Adıyaman, TurkeyJens Notroff, Tepe Telegrams / German Archaeological Institute · 2019 · excavator-institute-blog · retrieved 2026-10-22
  17. A Male Figurine from Harbetsuvan TepesiBahattin Çelik and Celal Uludağ, Karadeniz International Scientific Journal 38, 19–25 · 2018 · peer-reviewed · retrieved 2026-10-22
  18. The role of cult and feasting in the emergence of Neolithic communitiesDietrich et al., Antiquity · 2012 · peer-reviewed · retrieved 2026-10-22
  19. More than a vulture: a response to Sweatman and TsikritsisNotroff et al., Mediterranean Archaeology and Archaeometry · 2017 · peer-reviewed · retrieved 2026-10-22
  20. Decoding Göbekli Tepe with archaeoastronomy: What does the fox say?Martin B. Sweatman and Dimitrios Tsikritsis, Mediterranean Archaeology and Archaeometry · 2017 · peer-reviewed · retrieved 2026-10-22
  21. Göbekli Tepe – The first 20 Years of ResearchGerman Archaeological Institute · 2016 · excavator · retrieved 2026-10-22
  22. The Göbekli Tepe “Totem Pole”: A First Discussion of an Autumn 2010 DiscoveryKöksal-Schmidt and Schmidt, Neo-Lithics · 2010 · reference · retrieved 2026-10-22
  23. Şanlıurfa Archaeology Museum (visitor and collection page)Ministry of Culture and Tourism · official · retrieved 2026-10-22
  24. Karahantepe (site report)Taş Tepeler, Ministry of Culture and Tourism · 2026 · official · retrieved 2026-10-22
  25. Sayburç: a new Neolithic site in southeastern TurkeyÖzdöl Kutlu et al., Antiquity · 2023 · peer-reviewed · retrieved 2026-10-22
  26. Şanlıurfa Neolithic survey: Yeni Mahalle and the Urfa statueBahattin Çelik, Türk Tarih Kurumu · 2022 · reference · retrieved 2026-10-22
  27. Nevalı ÇoriGerman Archaeological Institute · excavator · retrieved 2026-10-22
  28. Rare human statue discovered at eastern Türkiye’s Göbeklitepe sheds light on Neolithic ritualsAnadolu Agency · 2025 · field-reporting · retrieved 2026-10-22
  29. New statues unearthed in Türkiye's ancient Göbeklitepe, Karahantepe sitesAnadolu Agency · 2023 · field-reporting · retrieved 2026-10-22
  30. Karahantepe among the Most Important Discovery and Research ProjectsStockholm University · 2024 · university-summary · retrieved 2026-10-22
  31. Human depictions, 3D sculptures of Karahantepe site to shed light on historyAnadolu Agency · 2021 · field-reporting · retrieved 2026-10-22
  32. The Sayburç reliefs: a narrative scene from the NeolithicEylem Özdoğan, Antiquity 96(390), 2022 · 2022 · peer-reviewed · retrieved 2026-10-22
  33. Karahantepe’de 11 Bin Yıllık Benzersiz HeykelT.C. Ministry of Culture and Tourism press office · 2026 · official-press-release · retrieved 2026-10-22
  34. Stitched-mouth Neolithic statue from Sayburc reshapes understanding of death rituals in Tas TepelerTürkiye Today, interview with excavation director Eylem Özdoğan · 2025 · interview-reporting · retrieved 2026-10-22
  35. Sefertepe 2025, in Arkeolojik Kazı ve Araştırmalar Toplantısı – 23: Bildiri ÖzetleriEmre Güldoğan; Istanbul University, Faculty of Letters, Department of Archaeology · 2026 · excavation-report · retrieved 2026-10-22
  36. Person or Penis? Interpreting a ‘New’ PPNB Anthropomorphic Statue from the Taurus FoothillsMarc Verhoeven, Neo-Lithics 1/01, 8–9 · 2001 · scholarly-article · retrieved 2026-10-22
  37. Harbetsuvan (site page)Taş Tepeler project, T.C. Ministry of Culture and Tourism · official-project-site · retrieved 2026-10-22
  38. Şanlıurfa İli Neolitik Dönem Yüzey Araştırması Sonucunda Ortaya Çıkan Yeni Bilgi ve BulgularBahattin Çelik, Türk Tarih Kurumu, XVIII. Türk Tarih Kongresi, Cilt I · scholarly-report · retrieved 2026-10-22
  39. Upper Mesopotamian Neolithic period ranges cited in the Harbetsuvan prospection studyArchaeological Prospection 33(2), article 70037 · 2026 · peer-reviewed · retrieved 2026-10-22
  40. Relationality, Immanence, Hierarchy: The Nature and Culture of Being(s) at Göbekli TepeE. D. Yurttaş, Cambridge Archaeological Journal · 2025 · peer-reviewed · retrieved 2026-10-22

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