World's oldest stone stairway discovered at Karahan Tepe. Turkish archaeologists discovered the world's oldest stone stairway at Karahan Tepe The stairway leads down into a semi-subterranean building Previously it was assumed pre-Pottery Neolithic structures had wooden stairs and ladders, which have not survived
Turkish archaeologists may have uncovered the oldest known stone stairway in pre-Pottery Neolithic Turkey! At Karahan Tepe, researchers discovered stone stairs leading into a semi-subterranean building—challenging the assumption that PPNA settlements relied solely on wooden stairs and ladders that haven't survived. This adds to Turkey's remarkable string of pre-Pottery Neolithic firsts.
Key Facts
- Turkish archaeologists discovered the world's oldest stone stairway at Karahan Tepe
- The stairway leads down into a semi-subterranean building
- Previously it was assumed pre-Pottery Neolithic structures had wooden stairs and ladders, which have not survived
- Wooden stairs were likely still used at Göbekli Tepe and Karahan Tepe, but these have perished
- This is yet another first for pre-Pottery Neolithic Turkey
Related site: Karahan Tepe — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.
Source: NEW | Göbekli Tepe's BIGGEST Enclosure to be Excavated + Major NEW Discoveries! by Ancient Architects