Three ancient stone carvings discovered in Turkey have provided archaeologists with the oldest evidence of deliberate storytelling through arranged objects, dating back 11,500 years.
The miniature sculptures depicting a fox, vulture and wild boar were excavated at Karahantepe in the country's southeast, amongst the world's most ancient Neolithic communities.
This collection marks the first documented example of prehistoric figures positioned together to communicate a narrative, according to researchers.
The discovery transforms scientific understanding of how early humans developed methods to share stories and create collective memories through artistic expression.
The three carved figures each stand roughly 3.5 centimetres in height and display remarkable craftsmanship in their detailed execution.
Archaeologists found the miniature sculptures carefully stored inside a small vessel with a stone cover, which had been placed within a larger container.
Each animal's head had been positioned inside its own limestone circle, suggesting deliberate and thoughtful arrangement by their creators.
The artefacts were excavated late last year and have now gone on public exhibition at Turkey's Presidential Complex in Ankara.
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A view shows the archaeological site of Karahan Tepe, one of the world's oldest Neolithic settlements, is pictured in Sanliurfa, Turkey
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They appear alongside additional archaeological discoveries from the 9,500 BC settlement site.
Necmi Karul, who leads the Karahantepe excavation project, emphasised the discovery's revolutionary implications for understanding prehistoric societies.
He said: "Telling a story undoubtedly brings storytellers to mind, and carving them into stone reveals the existence of artists. But it also proves that communities who know those stories share a common memory."
The excavation leader explained that the transition to settled living during the Neolithic era fundamentally transformed how humans communicated through narrative.
Archaeologists found the miniature sculptures carefully stored inside a small vessel with a stone cover
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Mr Karul said: "These narratives must have been the social bonds that held this new order together," he noted, characterising the stone animals as "one of the most important discoveries from a prehistoric perspective".
The excavation site at Karahantepe spans 14 hectares, though archaeological work beginning in 2019 has examined only a small portion of the area.
Teams have uncovered circular communal structures with decorated pillars and a human head carved directly into bedrock on one wall.
The discovery transforms scientific understanding of how early humans developed methods to share stories and create collective memories
|REUTERS
The settlement forms part of the Tas Tepeler or "Stone Hills" research initiative, encompassing multiple Neolithic sites throughout Turkey's Sanliurfa province where digging continues.
The nearby Gobeklitepe location holds Unesco World Heritage status as potentially the world's earliest settlement.
Karul intends to pursue various Unesco designations for Karahantepe to generate increased international attention for the ongoing archaeological investigations.