Karahan Tepe winter solstice alignment discovered. Winter solstice sunrise alignment discovered at Karahan Tepe by Hugh Newman and JJ Ainsworth in Dec 2021 Light hits a carved head emerging from bedrock for 45 minutes during winter solstice Site dates to 11,400 years ago

At Karahan Tepe during winter solstice, sunlight hits a carved head emerging from bedrock for 45 minutes! Hugh Newman and JJ Ainsworth documented this in Dec 2021. Serpentine neck & V-neck decoration proves solar astronomy ~12,000 years ago.

Key Facts

  • Winter solstice sunrise alignment discovered at Karahan Tepe by Hugh Newman and JJ Ainsworth in Dec 2021
  • Light hits a carved head emerging from bedrock for 45 minutes during winter solstice
  • Site dates to 11,400 years ago
  • The pillar shrine (Structure AB) is carved entirely from bedrock
  • The head has a serpentine neck, V-neck decoration, and is three times the size of a human head
  • Andrew Collins noted the eyes look toward the hole where winter solstice light enters

Related site: Karahan Tepe — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.