STONE HILLS
ZERO
Stone Hills refers to a group of archaeological sites
located in Türkiye, within and around the province of Şanlıurfa, dating back approximately 12,000 years. The region contains the earliest known ritual structures, monumental T-shaped stone pillars, and an advanced symbolic language created long before written communication emerged.
Sites such as Göbeklitepe, Karahantepe, Sefertepe,
Sayburç and Nevali Çori reveal that hunter-gatherer communities ( long before the advent of agriculture) were capable of building shared ritual spaces,
sophisticated architectural layouts, and complex
symbolic expressions. Notably, Nevali Çori stands out with its early temple architecture and
remarkable human sculptures, marking a significant stage in this cultural development.
Stone Hills reshapes our understanding of early human history, demonstrating that social organisation, belief systems and communal rituals are far older and far more intricate than previously
assumed.
This exhibition seeks to reinterpret the universal legacy of Stone Hills through the lens of
contemporary art.
Nazlı Akıncı
