Karahantepe archaeologists discover 11,000-year-old leopard sculpture

Archaeologists at the Karahantepe site in Şanlıurfa, Turkey, have discovered a unique 11,000-year-old composite sculpture. The 70-centimeter-tall stone statue depicts a human figure sitting on the back of a leopard.

Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy announced the find, noting that the sculpture was discovered in its original position on a stone bench within a structure approximately three meters in diameter. The discovery, made during the 2026 excavation season as part of the ‘Heritage to the Future’ project, features a style previously unseen in the region.

Experts suggest the find could provide significant insights into the symbolic and social lives of early Neolithic societies. While some interpret the depiction as a potential early representation of riding, others suggest it may represent a shamanic ritual or a mythological narrative. The site is considered one of the oldest known Neolithic settlements, alongside nearby Göbeklitepe.