ANCIENT MENDIK TEPE MOUND IN TURKEY COULD REWRITE THE HISTORY OF CIVILIZATION

The Mendik Tepe mound is located in the Sanliurfa region, near the village of Payamli. It was originally discovered by archaeologist Fatma Sahin, and excavations are currently underway under the direction of Professor Douglas Baird from the University of Liverpool, together with the Sanliurfa Archaeological Museum and the British Institute of Archaeology.
According to Baird, the findings indicate that Mendik Tepe belongs to the earliest stages of the Neolithic. Despite its links to Gobekli Tepe and Karahantepe, the mound’s structures have a unique architecture and may even predate the famous monuments.
The excavation site has revealed structures of various purposes: small structures for storing and preparing food, medium-sized houses for living, and larger stone structures of a ceremonial nature. Unlike the T-shaped pillars of Göbekli Tepe, Mendik Tepe is distinguished by vertical stones of various shapes, indicating a special architectural identity.
The similarity with neighboring Çakmak Tepe suggests that Mendik Tepe may be older than Göbekli Tepe, which is often called the “zero point of history.” The mound is part of the Tash Tepeler system – more than ten prehistoric monuments demonstrating the development of agriculture, social organization, and ritual life of early communities.
Excavations are ongoing, but the finds already discovered highlight the importance of Mendik Tepe for understanding the Neolithic Revolution – the moment when humanity transitioned from nomadic life to sedentary agricultural communities. This discovery may significantly change our understanding of the emergence of civilization in the Middle East.