Smithsonian Magazine · People & society

Neolithic Sculpture of Human Riding Leopard Unearthed in Turkey

Archaeologists in Turkey have discovered an 11,000-year-old Neolithic sculpture depicting a human riding a leopard, an artifact described as unique and unlike anything previously encountered.

The 2.3-foot-tall sculpture was found buried at the Karahan Tepe archaeological site. It was positioned on a platform within a round structure, potentially offering new insights into early human history.

Jens Notroff, an archaeologist, suggests the sculpture might symbolize power, with a human mastering a dangerous animal like the leopard, which was a common and formidable predator in the region.

This discovery follows the 2021 unearthing at Karahan Tepe of another leopard-related artifact: a statue of a human carrying a leopard on his back. Both artworks are abstract in style.

The abstract style of these leopard sculptures is similar to prehistoric mural paintings in Europe, suggesting a potential cultural unity and shared iconographic language during prehistory.

Karahan Tepe, built in the 10th millennium B.C.E., is located near Göbekli Tepe, an older Neolithic site known for its pillars with carvings of abstract symbols and wild animals.

While animal sculptures have been found at Göbekli Tepe, a human astride an animal like in the new sculpture is unprecedented. The exact purpose of these Neolithic structures remains unclear.

These artworks date to a period before writing, and understanding their symbolism is challenging. However, increasing finds and contextual analysis may allow for more meaningful interpretations over time.

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