Nevalı Çori

Nevalı Çori is an archaeological site in Şanlıurfa Province, Turkey, located at 490 meters (1,600 feet) above sea level near the Taurus Mountains. The settlement spreads across both banks of the Kantara stream, a tributary of the Euphrates.

The settlement dates from 8400 BC to 8100 BC and includes five building phases with rectangular houses on stone foundations. Since 1991, the site has been submerged beneath the waters of the Atatürk Dam reservoir.

Carved limestone figures and clay objects from the excavation show animals and people in nearly full size, among the earliest attempts at such representations. These works suggest that creating images of themselves and their surroundings mattered deeply to the community.

The site has been underwater since 1991 and cannot be visited directly. Some of the recovered objects are now on display in museums in the region and in Ankara.

A specialized cult complex was carved into the hillside in the northwest section, featuring three construction phases. Monolithic pillars embedded in the stone walls likely formed the center of ritual activity.

Location: Şanlıurfa Province

Inception: 84 century BCE

GPS coordinates: 37.51833,38.60556

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:24