Archaeologists uncover Neolithic artifacts in Turkey and Serbia

Archaeologists have announced two significant Neolithic discoveries in Turkey and Serbia. In Karahantepe, southeastern Turkey, a 70-centimeter statue dating back approximately 11,000 years has been unearthed. The sculpture depicts a metamorphic figure—a fusion of a human and a leopard—found within the Taş Tepeler complex. The discovery was made during the 2026 excavation season by a mission directed by Professor Necmi Karul.

In Serbia, a long-misidentified artifact at the Museum of Mladenovac has been reclassified through microscopic and radiographic analysis. Previously thought to be an animal tooth bead, the object is actually a human canine tooth used as a pendant. The artifact originates from the late Neolithic Jablanica settlement and is associated with the Vinča culture, dating back over 6,500 years. The study, conducted by researchers from the Institute of Archaeology in Belgrade and the Belgrade City Museum, revealed complex craftsmanship in the tooth's perforation and shaping.