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Visual Archive

Photo Gallery

Explore stunning photography of the T-pillars, animal carvings, excavation work, and the dramatic landscape surrounding the world's oldest temple.

Showing 18 of 18 images

Excavation

Enclosure D — The Grand Circle

Aerial view of the most impressive and fully excavated enclosure with its monumental central pillars.

Enclosure D — The Grand Circle

Carvings

Fox Relief on Pillar 12

Detailed low-relief carving of a fox, one of the most common animals depicted at the site.

Fox Relief on Pillar 12

Carvings

Vulture Stone (Pillar 43)

The famous Vulture Stone depicting a headless figure, vultures, and scorpions — possibly the earliest narrative scene.

Vulture Stone (Pillar 43)

Landscape

Sunrise Over the Mound

Golden morning light illuminates the hilltop, with the Harran Plain stretching to the horizon.

Sunrise Over the Mound

Pillars

T-Pillar with Arms and Hands

One of the anthropomorphic pillars showing carved arms along the sides and fingers meeting at the front.

T-Pillar with Arms and Hands

Drone

Aerial View of Excavation Area

Drone photograph showing the protective shelter structures over the main excavation area and surrounding landscape.

Aerial View of Excavation Area

Carvings

Wild Boar Relief

A fierce wild boar carved in high relief, demonstrating the dynamic artistic skill of the Neolithic builders.

Wild Boar Relief

Pillars

Pillar 18 — The Tallest

Standing over 5.5 metres tall in Enclosure D, this is the tallest pillar discovered so far. Features a belt and foxskin loincloth.

Pillar 18 — The Tallest

Excavation

The Quarry and Unfinished Pillar

The limestone quarry 100 metres from the hilltop, with a partially carved pillar still attached to the bedrock — estimated at 7 metres and 50 tonnes.

The Quarry and Unfinished Pillar

Carvings

Snake Motifs on Enclosure A

Intertwined serpent carvings on a pillar in Enclosure A, possibly representing chthonic or earth-based spiritual forces.

Snake Motifs on Enclosure A

Landscape

Protective Shelters at Dusk

The modern shelter structures silhouetted against a dramatic sunset over the southeastern Turkish landscape.

Protective Shelters at Dusk

Drone

Drone Panorama — Full Site

Wide-angle drone view capturing the full extent of the excavated hilltop, shelter structures, and the visitor approach path.

Drone Panorama — Full Site

Pillars

Central Pillars Close-Up

The two central pillars of Enclosure D standing face to face, connected by a low stone bench. The taller reaches 5.5 metres.

Central Pillars Close-Up

Excavation

Excavation Team at Work

Archaeologists carefully removing fill material in a newly opened trench, revealing carved stone surfaces beneath millennia of burial.

Excavation Team at Work

Landscape

Spring Wildflowers on the Mound

The hilltop covered in colourful spring wildflowers, with the patchwork fields of the Harran Plain visible in the background.

Spring Wildflowers on the Mound

Carvings

Crane Relief — Enclosure G

A beautifully rendered crane carved on a pillar in Enclosure G, showcasing the diversity of bird imagery at the site.

Crane Relief — Enclosure G

Drone

Drone — Enclosure Circle from Above

Vertical drone shot looking directly down into one of the circular enclosures, revealing the ring arrangement of pillars.

Drone — Enclosure Circle from Above

Pillars

Pillar Detail — Belt Buckle

Close-up photograph of the carved belt and possible buckle on one of the anthropomorphic pillars in Enclosure D.

Pillar Detail — Belt Buckle

360 Virtual Tour Preview

360° Virtual Tour

Can't visit in person yet? Explore the excavation site, walk among the pillars, and examine the carvings up close with our immersive 360-degree virtual tour experience.

See It With Your Own Eyes

Photographs can only capture a fraction of the experience. Book a guided tour and stand among pillars that are older than civilization itself.

Book a Guided Tour