GGöbekli Tepe Visit

OBJECT RECORD · ESTABLISHED · CHECKED 2026-10-22

Urfa Man / Balıklıgöl statue

Yeni Mahalle / Balıklıgöl Höyüğü

The Urfa Man statue displayed in the Şanlıurfa Archaeology Museum.
The Urfa Man statue displayed in the Şanlıurfa Archaeology Museum.Photo: Dosseman, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia CommonsPhoto credits & licences
The Urfa Man, also known as the Balıklıgöl statue.
The Urfa Man, also known as the Balıklıgöl statue.Photo: Immanuelle, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia CommonsPhoto credits & licences
The Urfa Man statue in the museum.
The Urfa Man statue in the museum.Photo: Resulkarahasanmd, CC0, via Wikimedia CommonsPhoto credits & licences

Record

SiteYeni Mahalle / Balıklıgöl Höyüğü
Location nowŞanlıurfa Archaeology Museum
Discovered1993
DatingPPNA, c. 9300–8700 BCE (official museum guide)
DimensionsAbout 1.8 m high

What is carved

The limestone statue is shown standing with both hands held at the front of the body. Its eyes are inlaid with dark material. It was found during construction work in the Yeni Mahalle area of Şanlıurfa in 1993. [1][2]

Interpretations

Scholarly debate

The figure is often described as an early human statue; its precise social or ritual role is unknown. [1][2]

By Museum and regional Neolithic scholarship

Related Field Log entries