Archaeologists exploring Turkey's southeast near Şanlıurfa have found new sites that could predate Göbekli Tepe. The region, part of Turkey's Taş Tepeler project, includes sites like Mendik Tepe, Karahantepe, and Sayburç that are reshaping understanding of prehistory. The sites lack tourism infrastructure in some areas but are active excavations. The ministry-led project encompasses 12 Neolithic sites of settled communities in Şanlıurfa dating back to 9,500 BC, with Göbeklitepe and other sites currently being excavated.
Key facts claimed:
- Exploration of several new archaeological sites in southeastern Turkey near Şanlıurfa (not Glastonbury Lake Village)
- Sites may potentially predate Göbekli Tepe
- The region lacks tourism infrastructure and is relatively unknown
- Sites are open archaeological dig sites with active excavations
- Local officials have suggested sites could be older than Göbekli Tepe