A Turkish-Japanese team began excavating Ayanlar Höyük in 2025, one of the 12 Taş Tepeler sites. Bahattin Çelik documented it during surface surveys in 2013—not 1997. A field about 300 metres from the main mound contains a recorded T-shaped pillar with carved hands and drilled holes resembling those at Göbekli Tepe. Finds place the site in the Pre-Pottery Neolithic, and its roughly 14-hectare extent has been described as larger than Göbekli Tepe. ✋
Turkish-Japanese excavation begins at Ayanlar Höyük, reported larger than Göbekli Tepe
Site mentioned
📍 Ayanlar Höyük🌍 Show on the globe
Key facts
- A Turkish-Japanese team launched excavations at Ayanlar Höyük in 2025 as part of the 12-site Taş Tepeler project.
- The published archaeological record states that Ayanlar Höyük was identified during surface surveys in 2013, not 1997.
- Bahattin Çelik is credited with the survey work that identified the site.
- A T-shaped pillar with carved hands and drilled holes was documented in a field roughly 300 metres from the main mound.
- The site has been dated to the Pre-Pottery Neolithic; cut-marked stones are part of the evidence but do not establish an exact date.
- Ayanlar Höyük covers about 14 hectares and has been described in early reports as larger than Göbekli Tepe, although the comparison depends on the area measured.
Sources
Türkiye–Japan Partnership Expands the Taş Tepeler Projectanatolianarchaeology.net
Japanese Princess Akiko Mikasa inaugurated excavations at Ayanlar Höyük in Şanlıurfa, expanding Türkiye's Taş Tepeler Project.
Göbekli Tepe Wasn't Alone. Ayanlar Höyük Proves It.karahantepe.net
Ayanlar Höyük, a developing Taş Tepeler excavation west of Şanlıurfa, Excavation is still at an early stage. Finds reported in 2024–2025 ...
A new Pre-Pottery Neolithic site in Southeastern Turkeyresearchgate.net
Ayanlar Höyük (Gre Hut), located 30km west of Şanlıurfa, was discovered during surface surveys conducted in 2013. Ayanlar Höyük dated to the Pre-Pottery ...
Ayanlar Höyüken.wikipedia.org
Ayanlar Höyük is an archaeological site in the Southeastern Anatolia of Turkey. it was discovered in 2013. remains to be excavated. edited on 1 September 2025,
(PDF) Ayanlar Höyükacademia.edu
Ayanlar Höyük spans 14 hectares, ranking as a significant Neolithic site. New Excavation and New Research.
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