Neolithic Stone Vessel Predecessors in Ancient Levant. Stone vessels appeared in Turkey at Çayönü, Karahan Tepe, and Körtiktepe around 10,700 BC These sites predate the earliest Egyptian stone vessels by 5 to 6,000 years Çayönü is the oldest known Neolithic archaeological site in Turkey, occupied for over a millennium
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.
Key Facts
- Stone vessels appeared in Turkey at Çayönü, Karahan Tepe, and Körtiktepe around 10,700 BC
- These sites predate the earliest Egyptian stone vessels by 5 to 6,000 years
- Çayönü is the oldest known Neolithic archaeological site in Turkey, occupied for over a millennium
- Levantine vessels 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
- Pump drills and bow drills date back over 12,000 years and were used until the industrial revolution
Related site: Çayönü — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.
Source: Ancient Egyptian Stone Vases Made by Hand or Machine? by Curious Being