Archaeologists working at Tadım Castle and Höyük in Elazığ, eastern Türkiye, have uncovered a stone seal believed to be around 7,500 years old — a discovery that sheds new light on the deep cultural history of the Upper Euphrates Basin and confirms the region as one of Anatolia’s earliest settlement centers.
The excavations, carried out under the coordination of the Elazığ Museum Directorate and the Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Governorship of Elazığ, form part of the national “Heritage for the Future Project.” The multi-layered mound at Tadım Höyük has revealed cultural remains stretching from the Ottoman and Seljuk eras back to the Neolithic period.
A Unique Artifact Linked to Identity, Ownership, and Early Social Organization
Governor Numan Hatipoğlu emphasized the exceptional nature of the seal within the context of discoveries made so far at Tadım Höyük.
“Among the finds unearthed in Tadım Village, we discovered a stone seal unlike anything previously seen in our city,” Hatipoğlu said. “It is believed that this seal may have been associated with ownership, property marking, or an early form of identity. Research is ongoing. This discovery indicates that civilization in our region dates back to approximately 7500 BCE. All of these finds show that Elazığ has been a settlement center since ancient times.”
The stone seal is currently preserved at the Elazığ Archaeology and Ethnography Museum, where specialists are conducting detailed analysis to better understand its function, symbolism, and possible administrative role within prehistoric society.
Year-Round Conservation and Expanding Excavations
Excavations at Tadım Castle and Höyük continue year-round, with the Elazığ Museum Directorate leading conservation, restoration, analysis, and documentation efforts. The project advances scientific research while promoting cultural tourism and awareness of regional heritage.
Elsewhere in Elazığ—including Harput Castle, Palu Castle, and Salkaya village—archaeologists have made notable discoveries. Among the latest finds are a Roman bath identified via ground-penetrating radar and a mosaic depicting animals, adding to the city’s rich archaeological record. Plans are underway to expand excavation areas, improve visitor facilities, and enhance accessibility for cultural tourism in future seasons.
Governor Hatipoğlu highlighted that preserving these discoveries strengthens both historical understanding and local identity. “As we continue working layer by layer, we expect even more significant archaeological outcomes for our province,” he stated.
