Çayönü Tepesi discovery reveals 9,000-year-old copper workshop

Çayönü Tepesi Neolithic mining workshop copper metallurgy archaeological discovery Diyarbakır

Archaeologists conducting excavations at Çayönü Tepesi in the Ergani district of Diyarbakır, Turkey, have discovered a specialized mining workshop dating back to between 6900 and 6800 BCE. The approximately five-square-meter site features a stone-paved workspace and post holes that suggest the area was once covered by a roof or shade structure.

Led by Associate Professor Savaş Sarıaltun of Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, the team recovered approximately 42 items, including raw and semi-processed malachite, finished malachite objects, copper beads, and various copper tools. The presence of materials at different stages of production indicates a highly organized and specialized manufacturing process.

Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy noted that while traces of copper and malachite use at Çayönü Tepesi date back to 9100 BCE, this specific discovery proves that a continuous metallurgical tradition existed at the site for approximately 2,000 years. The findings provide significant insight into the earliest production technologies and craft specialization in human history.

Entities

Mehmet Nuri Ersoy · Ministry of Culture and Tourism · Savaş Sarıaltun · Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University · Çayönü Tepesi

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 2 SOURCES] Researchers found over 40 pieces of malachite in various stages of processing, along with copper beads and tools. www.fehmarn24.de · www.leinetal24.de
[● 2 SOURCES] Archaeologists discovered the oldest known copper workshop in Anatolia at Çayönü Tepesi. www.fehmarn24.de · www.leinetal24.de
[● 2 SOURCES] The workshop included a five-square-meter stone slab working surface and six post holes suggesting a roof. www.fehmarn24.de · www.leinetal24.de
[● 2 SOURCES] Traces of copper and malachite use at Çayönü Tepesi date back to 9100 BC. www.fehmarn24.de · www.leinetal24.de
[● 2 SOURCES] The copper workshop dates to between 6900 and 6800 BC. www.fehmarn24.de · www.leinetal24.de