9,500-year-old public structure unearthed

Excavations at the 12,000-year-old Çayönü Hill in the Ergani district of Diyarbakır have unearthed a 9,500-year-old public structure. The excavations shed light on the Neolithic period and indicate that the structure may have been used for community gatherings or rituals. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Savaş Sarıaltun, director of the excavations, noted that the structure is distinct from traditional houses and is notable for its painted floor. Çayönü, where excavations will continue, offers important insights into the beginnings of agriculture, animal husbandry, and architecture.