Neolithic Stone Vessel Predecessors in Ancient Levant

Stone vessels appeared in Turkey at Çayönü, Karahan Tepe, and Körtiktepe dating to the Pre-Pottery Neolithic period — predating Egyptian vessels by several millennia. Excavations at Karahan Tepe, a monumental site near the Turkish-Syrian border, have revealed large stone vessels with carefully packed figurines, suggesting complex societal organization before the dawn of agriculture. Çayönü, one of the oldest known Neolithic sites in the region, shows evidence of occupation spanning over a millennium. The Levantine vessels were made of limestone, chlorite, and grainstone with thin edges and smooth finishing. Tools found include flint and obsidian chisels, axes, grindstones, and likely flywheels for pump drills.