Naturalistic statue surprised archaeologists
An unusual 2.3 m high statue with a frontal image of a man holding his phallus with both hands was discovered near a Mesolithic temple in Turkey. The ancient statue was found at a prehistoric site known as Karahan Tepe. Archaeologists believe that this is the oldest human sculpture of its kind on Earth.
Photo: Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkey
One of the earliest and most realistic examples of human sculpture, depicting a man holding his phallus with both hands, was discovered by archaeologists in Turkey, writes the Daily Mail.
The unusual 2.3m tall statue was discovered at a prehistoric site known as Karahan Tepe, which is about 35km from a Mesolithic temple built 6,000 years before Stonehenge.
It is similar in style to the sculpture of a man from Urfa, 10,300 years old, was also found in southeastern Turkey during construction work in 1993. That statue was considered «the oldest naturalistic life-size sculpture of a person.»
But since Karakhan Tepe dates back to around 9400 BC, the new discovery is believed to eclipse the “Man of Urfa” as the oldest human statue of its kind ever found on Earth.
The sculpture was found attached to land on a bench at Karakhan Tepe, which is considered one of the most important settlements of the Neolithic period.
It has a realistic facial expression, a strong, wide v-neck and well-cut ribs. The statue, which dates back about 11,400 years, also has arms running down its sides, which are depicted holding its phallus.
It differs from the Urfa man in that his eyes are carved out, while the Karahan man is Tepe has a beard and hair and is much taller than his brother.
During excavations nearby, a statue of a bird with a beak, eyes and wings was also discovered, which archaeologists in Turkey believe represents a vulture.
This is not the first time that animal sculptures have been found at this site, the Daily Mail notes. Statues of snakes, insects, birds, a rabbit and a gazelle were also previously discovered at Karahan Tepe, which is located near the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Göbekli Tepe in Turkey's southeastern Şanlıurfa province.
Göbekli Tepe, considered home to the oldest known Mesolithic temple, dating back to 9600 BC and known as the «zero point of history.»
Another new find was also discovered here, according to the country's Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Archaeologists have reported that a life-size statue of a wild boar made of limestone has been found in «Structure D» of Göbekli Tepe.
Scientists say it is the first painted sculpture found from this period, and on its surface remains of red, white and black pigments are visible.
Excavations at Gobekli Tepe and Karakhan Tepe began in 2019, but these places have been known to archaeologists for about 30 years. Now they are the subject of a new book called Göbekli Tepe and Karakhan Tepe: The World's First Megaliths by author Hugh Newman.