Archaeologists have found unusual carvings on built-in benches in a Neolithic (or New Stone Age) building.
Researchers believe that the imagepresents two scenes that form a single plot. On the first of them (on the left) you can see images of a bull and a man standing facing each other. In his right six-fingered hand, raised up, the man holds a snake or rattle.
General view of the bas-relief with two scenes. Image: Eylem Özdoğan, Antiquity
In the second image, two leopards are facingface with a person carved almost in 3D. Animals are shown with open mouths, drawn teeth and long tails pressed to the body. The man holds his phallus in his right hand and looks straight into the room.
Although similar artwork in additionperiod were discovered earlier, the find represents the first connected narrative, archaeologists say. The bas-relief forms a story, the meaning of which is not yet clear, but it is "a reflection of the collective memory that supported the values of its community," they add.
Close-up image of a man and leopards. Image: Eylem Özdoğan, Antiquity
The researchers believe that the paintings reflectunderstanding of masculinity. This is both a demonstration of the phallus and a life-threatening situation, which is reflected by snarling predators. The find will help archaeologists better understand Neolithic painting in Turkey.
Unfortunately, while the Neolithic hunter could easily recognize the message, we still lack an understanding of the actual plot of the story.
Jens Notroff, Neolithic archaeologist at the German Archaeological Institute in an interview with Live Science
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