Sayburç a mid-9th millennium BC site in the foothills of the Eastern Taurus

Abstract

A Pre-Pottery Neolithic site at Sayburç is currently being studied as part of the Şanlıurfa Neo-lithic Research Project – Taş Tepler (Türkiye), which is focused on the Neolithic Period at the Şanlıurfa Plateau. The settlement belongs to the early sedentary societies on the plateau, characterized by monumental buildings, T-shaped pillars, and rich symbolic elements that distinguish the region from its contemporaries in Southwest Asia. A growing body of evidence indicates that rituals and the associated symbolism and narratives play a pivotal role in the formation of the region’s early sedentary societies. The construction of special buildings in Sayburç, situated close to dwellings and accompanied by associated symbolism, illustrates the intertwining of the sacred with everyday life. This paper presents the preliminary results of the first three years of research on the site and discusses the cultural dimension of the region itself.