New lab analysis of sediment from Karahan Tepe reveals wild gazelle was the primary meat source, with inhabitants using nearby desert kite traps for hunting. Surprisingly, legumes—not cereals—emerged as the key plant food, suggesting a more balanced diet than expected. Researchers say the dietary strategy combined seasonal hunting, plant gathering, and possibly early cultivation at this 10,000-12,000 year old site.
Karahan Tepe Diet Analysis: Gazelle Dominated Meat, Legumes Key Plant Food
TürkiyeBioarchaeologyNew Research
Key facts
- Lab analysis of sediment from 2025 excavation season revealed dietary patterns
- Wild gazelle was the primary meat source at Karahan Tepe
- Diet was more specific compared to sister site Göbekli Tepe which had greater animal diversity
- Desert kite animal traps near Karahan Tepe were used for catching gazelle
- Legumes were an important plant food source - contrary to expectations of cereals and grains dominating
- Findings suggest a more balanced diet among inhabitants
- Dietary strategy involved seasonal hunting, plant gathering, and possibly early cultivation
- Site dates to approximately 10,000 to 12,000 years ago
Site mentioned
Sources
(PDF) Karahan Tepe - Its Three Interconnected, Rock-cut Structures ...academia.edu
The author reports on the layout and potential functionality of three interconnected bedrock structures focusing on their cultic symbolism and potential usage.
(PDF) A New Early Neolithic Settlement: Karahan Tepe.researchgate.net
Karahan Tepe lies some 63 km east of Sanliurfa (Urfa), southeastern Turkey in an area called Tek Tek Daglari (Tektek Mountains). Some 266 in situ pillars ...
12,000-Year-Old Discovery at Karahan Tepe, “the World's First ...thedebrief.org
Keys to Ancient Survival at Karahan Tepe. According to recent lab analysis of materials recovered from Karahan Tepe, archaeologists have ...
Karahan Tepe - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
Karahan Tepe is a Pre-Pottery Neolithic archaeological site in Şanlıurfa, Turkey. The site is in the same geographical region as Göbekli Tepe and ...
The Significance of Karahan Tepe - Archaeologyhistoryarchaeologyhistory.com
The precision with which the builders of Karahan Tepe shaped and arranged massive limestone blocks speaks to remarkable technical skills.
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