Turkey, discovered the work with the first narrative scene in history

Turkey ’s oldest known narrative scene discovered: an 11,000-year-old relief found at the archaeological site of Sayburç (southeastern Turkey) depicts a man holding his penis with his right hand, sandwiched between two flanking leopards. The discovery of the carved scene dates back to 2021, but the discovery was published yesterday in the scientific journal Antiquity, published by Cambridge University Press.

The work, explains the author of the Antiquity article, Eylem ÖzdoÄŸan, “reflects the complex relationship between humans, the natural world and the animal life that surrounded them during the transition to a sedentary lifestyle.” Indeed, the newly discovered scene comes with a narrative integrity that separates it from other contemporary images, and is the most detailed representation of a Neolithic “story” found to date in the Near East, bringing us closer to the Neolithic people and their world. Excavations at the Sayburç site began in 2021, and the relief is carved on the wall of a building itself carved in limestone.

The relief features several figures but only the male figure holding his penis is carved in high relief. The rounded projections on the upper end of the legs appear to represent knees, as if they were bent forward. Although the head is damaged, a round face, large ears, protruding eyes, and full lips are evident. Especially noteworthy is a triangular-shaped necklace or collar. This male figure is faced on each side by two leopards, depicted in profile. Their mouths are open, their teeth visible, and their long tails are curled toward their bodies. The leopard to the west is depicted with a phallus, while the other is not. Also present is another scene with a second human figure, also depicted with phallus clearly in view, in a slightly crouched position, with his back facing the first three figures. Her raised and open left hand has six fingers, while her right hand holds a snake, or rattle, with her head turned toward the ground. This second figure is depicted near a bull.

According to Antiquity, the Sayburç reliefs correspond to Neolithic style and themes. Phalluses are the only elements that identify the sex of the figures, and the emphasis is on the predatory and aggressive aspects of the animal world, as represented by the depiction of dangerous features, such as teeth and horns, which has also been observed at other sites in the area. The Sayburç reliefs, however, differ in that the figures form a narrative, with the two individual scenes appearing to be related to each other. The comparable stature of men and animals in the Sayburç relief suggests a new dimension recognized in the narratives of pre-Ceramic Neolithic people. The figures were undoubtedly characters worthy of description, according to Antiquity. The fact that they are depicted together in an ongoing scene, however, suggests that one or more related events or stories are being told. In oral traditions, stories, rituals and strong symbolic elements formed the foundation of ideologies that shaped society beyond spirituality. It is therefore thought that the reliefs may be reflective of a collective memory that wanted to keep its values alive.

Turkey, discovered the work with the first narrative scene in history

Warning: the translation into English of the original Italian article was created using automatic tools. We undertake to review all articles, but we do not guarantee the total absence of inaccuracies in the translation due to the program. You can find the original by clicking on the ITA button. If you find any mistake,please contact us.