New Göbekli Tepe excavations uncover rectangular domestic buildings

August 14, 2026TürkiyeExcavationSignificant Find

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Key facts

• New excavations have begun in an area of roughly 1,500 square metres directly north of the famous oval buildings at Göbekli Tepe, on land previously covered by controversial olive trees
• Excavations are led by Dr. Necmi Karul
• Remains of buildings were discovered at shallow depths, with floors reached in several cases
• Shallow depth is partly due to erosion that wore away upper sections of ancient walls
• Buildings are rectangular, dating to a later phase when T-shaped pillars were less used in construction
• The arrangement of interiors suggests these were likely domestic dwellings rather than ceremonial structures
• Site interpretation is shifting from a ceremonial center to a large, year-round settlement with both communal and domestic buildings, water channels, and a quarry
• Soil and sediment analysis (microscopic material) is being conducted to identify traces of food preparation, plant material, and residues
• Olive trees that formerly grew on the site caused far less damage than initially feared
• Geophysics indicates more oval buildings may exist in another large hollow within the excavation zone

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