Göbeklitepe 2025 Excavation Season: Horizontal Human Statue and Restoration Work at Structure C
Overview of the 2025 Excavation Season
The 2025 excavation, maintenance and restoration season at Göbeklitepe, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been completed. As part of the Taş Tepeler project, this year's work focused mainly on the areas beneath the protective shelter. Excavation and structural conservation activities were carried out simultaneously, and by the end of the season one of the year's most remarkable finds was announced to the public.
A Human Statue Placed Horizontally Inside a Wall
The highlight of the season was a realistically proportioned human statue discovered at the junction of Structures B and D. Except for the broken right hand, the piece was found largely intact. As seen in other contemporary Neolithic examples from the region, the right arm is positioned below the abdomen, while the other arm extends upward across the torso — a feature that distinguishes this particular figure. The facial and bodily characteristics align closely with other figurative depictions known from the same period.
Human representations are rare at Göbeklitepe, where animal reliefs dominate the imagery, making this find especially significant. What makes this piece even more intriguing is its placement: the statue had been laid horizontally within the inner face of a wall, suggesting a deliberate and meaningful architectural act carried out thousands of years ago. This unusual positioning hints at a possible ritual context rather than a purely structural purpose. Such discoveries contribute to a deeper understanding of the symbolic role of human imagery in the Neolithic worldview.
Restoration Work at Structure C
Another major focus of the 2025 season was the restoration work carried out in Structure C. Excavation director Prof. Dr. Necmi Karul notes that the team concentrated heavily on this structure, progressing both structural reinforcement and conservation treatments. Known for its striking reliefs of snakes, bulls and boars, Structure C is among the most visually impressive monumental buildings within the Göbeklitepe complex.
This year's work included stabilizing the walls, re-erecting fallen T-shaped pillars and reconnecting stone blocks. In 2024, similar structural interventions had been implemented in the so-called Lion Building, and comparable methods were applied again this season to preserve the architectural integrity of Structure C and ensure its long-term stability.
Traces of Daily Life at Göbeklitepe
Göbeklitepe is globally renowned for its monumental enclosures and T-shaped pillars, yet recent research has made it increasingly clear that the site was not limited to ceremonial architecture alone. Geophysical surveys and excavations have revealed the presence of rectangular domestic structures, offering new insights into daily life during the Early Neolithic.
These investigations, led by Istanbul University, continued in the 2025 season. Alongside the restoration efforts in Structure C, excavations were carried out on the northern slope, where earlier work had partially uncovered small hut-like units. This season aimed to clarify the function of these domestic spaces and further understand the settlement's broader social organization.
A "Heritage for the Future" Approach
The work conducted throughout the 2025 season demonstrates that efforts at Göbeklitepe extend far beyond excavation. Within the T.C. Ministry of Culture and Tourism's "Heritage for the Future" framework the focus increasingly centers on sustainable heritage management and long-term preservation.
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