Haran

Haran is an ancient excavation site in Şanlıurfa Province that spreads across a large area with uncovered structures and quarries. The location includes sections where characteristic columns were extracted from limestone formations.

The settlement began in the 9th millennium BC and was inhabited by many peoples who left their traces in this Mesopotamian landscape. Archaeologists find evidence here of thousands of years of human activity.

The site preserves monumental stonework with animal reliefs showing how people created large structures without metal tools thousands of years ago. These reliefs still look powerful today and give a sense of the craft skills early communities possessed.

Visitors can reach the location through tours departing from Şanlıurfa city that offer guided walks throughout the year. Comfortable shoes help since you walk over uneven ground and between excavations.

In 2023 researchers uncovered an almost life-size human figure made from stone with finely worked fingers and ribs. Next to this statue stood a large bird representation created in the same period.