2-meter-long stone block found at 12,000-year-old Boncuklu Tarla site in Mardin

Archaeological excavations at the Boncuklu Tarla site in the Dargecit district of Mardin have revealed a remarkable 2-meter-long processed stone block, estimated to be 12,000 years old. The discovery also included miniature steles, beads, arrowheads, and bull horns, shedding light on the region’s ancient history.

The site, located in the Ilisu village of Dargecit, is part of ongoing excavations aimed at documenting and preserving the cultural heritage impacted by the Ilisu Dam and Hydroelectric Power Plant (HES) Project.

The project, led by the Mardin Museum Directorate, began in 2012 and has continued intermittently. The recent findings are part of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s project, which is working to uncover and protect valuable historical artifacts from the region.

Unearthing 12,000-year-old structures and artifacts

Boncuklu Tarla is a significant archaeological site dating back to the Epipaleolithic and Neolithic periods. It has yielded more than 200 skeletons, thousands of beads, and numerous other artifacts, offering a glimpse into early human civilization. In the most recent excavation phase, a “public building” from approximately 10,000 years ago was uncovered, along with the 2-meter-long processed stone block, or stele and other objects.

This structure, which measures about 10 meters in diameter, appears to have been used continuously over several phases. Notably, the building was renovated at least four times, with the floor being filled in during each renovation. This discovery challenges earlier assumptions that structures at Boncuklu Tarla were used only once and then abandoned.

Unprecedented discovery in Upper Tigris Valley

According to Associate Professor Ergul Kodas, the excavation leader from Mardin Artuklu University, this large stele is a groundbreaking find for the site and the Upper Tigris Valley. “For the first time, such a large stele has been discovered both at Boncuklu Tarla and in the Upper Tigris Valley,” said Kodas.

The stele is particularly significant as it resembles those found in the Sanliurfa region, suggesting a historical connection between these areas. Furthermore, a miniature version of the stele was discovered within the building, providing additional insight into the relationship between the regions during this period.

Unique public building with symbolic artifacts

The building, which was used for at least four distinct phases, also contained numerous symbolic artifacts, including bull horns and bull head fragments, further emphasizing its role as a public building.

“We have uncovered several bull horns in the structure, which is consistent with other public buildings in the area,” Kodas explained. “However, this building is distinct because of its size, its repeated renovations, and the unique artifacts we have found.”

The building, believed to date back to 10,000 B.C.E., offers new insights into the long-term use of structures at Boncuklu Tarla. Unlike previous buildings at the site, which were abandoned after a single use, this structure appears to have been continuously used for a much longer period.

Boncuklu Tarla’s role in early human civilization

Boncuklu Tarla, which is thought to have been a settlement during the Pre-Pottery Neolithic period, continues to reveal crucial information about early human societies. The ongoing excavations are providing new data on the cultural, social, and architectural practices of the people who lived in this region.

Professor Kodas emphasized the importance of continued research at Boncuklu Tarla, especially with the support of local authorities and institutions. “We aim to uncover more of Boncuklu Tarla’s hidden historical treasures and shed light on the ancient civilizations that once flourished here,” he concluded.

The discoveries at Boncuklu Tarla provide an invaluable window into the lives of ancient societies in the Upper Tigris Valley. As excavations continue, they promise to enrich our understanding of early human civilization in Türkiye, shedding light on the long history of the region’s cultural and architectural evolution.