Archaeological teams working in northwestern Turkey have uncovered approximately 25 ancient turtle sculptures carved from limestone at İn Cave, positioned close to Gedikkaya Hill within the İnhisar district of Bilecik Province.
Radiocarbon analysis of the archaeological layer containing the artefacts has established their age at between 14,500 and 11,200 BC, potentially making them as old as 16,500 years.
The finds originate from the Epipalaeolithic period, representing a time when hunter-gatherer communities inhabited the region at the conclusion of the last Ice Age.
Researchers have determined that the sculptures were intentionally positioned within the cave for ceremonial activities, offering unusual insight into the spiritual customs of prehistoric populations in Anatolia.
The discovery represents significant evidence of ritual behaviour amongst ancient communities who lived millennia before the development of settled farming societies in the area.
A team of 14 archaeologists carried out the excavation work between May 18 and July 18 under the leadership of Professor Deniz Sarı from Bilecik Şeyh Edebali University's Department of Archaeology.
The project was undertaken on behalf of the Turkish Culture and Tourism Ministry.
The team recovered roughly 25 turtle-shaped objects during their work at the site. The majority were crafted from limestone, whilst several had been coated with clay.
Size variations exist amongst the collection, with the most substantial specimen measuring around 30 centimetres in length and 20 centimetres across its width.
The limestone material used for the sculptures was locally available, suggesting the prehistoric inhabitants selected resources from their immediate environment for creating these ritual objects.
The majority of the sculptures display hasty or unfinished workmanship, with numerous examples appearing crudely formed rather than carefully refined.
Archaeological experts believe this rough construction was deliberate, supporting the interpretation that these items served ceremonial functions rather than acting as ornamental pieces.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
- Fastest observed star set to reveal secrets of black hole at centre of our galaxy
- Sunken royal ship carrying MILLIONS in lost treasure finally found after vanishing in storm
- Scientists make breakthrough in replacing laboratory animals with human 'organ sacks'
The objects were positioned upright in the earth surrounding architectural features that form circular patterns within the cave interior.
"The artefacts unearthed showed us that this is an important cult and ritual area," Professor Sarı stated. "With the turtle figurines we found this year, the ritual context of the cave has been taken to a different dimension."
Professor Sarı drew parallels with Hidirellez, a traditional spring festival where participants inscribe wishes before burying or depositing them at symbolic locations.
"There is a circular architectural arrangement here. Around it, we found turtle figurines made from limestone, many of them incomplete or quickly shaped, inserted upright into the soil," she explained.
Investigators are exploring an intriguing hypothesis: that ancient inhabitants may have perceived Gedikkaya Hill's natural contours as resembling a turtle's form.
Professor Sarı indicated that several of the smaller figurines seem to have been deliberately fashioned to mirror the hill's outline.
Should this connection prove accurate, it might point towards an early manifestation of landscape veneration, potentially constituting what archaeologists term a mountain cult.
Professor Sarı cautioned, however, that reaching definitive conclusions about such interpretations remains premature at this stage.
Turtle imagery was already prevalent within the Natufian culture of the Near East and amongst even earlier Upper Palaeolithic societies.
Throughout various subsequent cultures, turtles became symbols associated with longevity and endurance, which Professor Sarı suggested could help explain their ceremonial importance at İn Cave.
The temporal placement of these discoveries holds particular significance, as the timeframe from 14,500 to 11,200 BC preceded the advent of agricultural practices and the establishment of large permanent communities across much of the region.
During this era, populations remained primarily nomadic hunter-gatherers, yet mounting archaeological evidence demonstrates their capacity to develop complex symbolic and ceremonial practices.
Initial identification of archaeological materials within the cave occurred during surface investigations undertaken in 2017.
Between 2019 and 2023, rescue excavation operations were directed by the Bilecik Museum before the university assumed responsibility for the site following a presidential decree issued this year.
The artefacts have now been relocated to both the Bilecik Museum and Bilecik Şeyh Edebali University, where they will undergo detailed analysis, conservation work and restoration processes.
Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter
