Çayönü Hill

Çayönü Hill is a mound located within the borders of Ergani district of Diyarbakır, and stands out as one of the earliest settlements from the Neolithic period. Spanning approximately 55,000 square meters, the settlement was continuously inhabited from 10,000 BC to 6000 BC. Furthermore, recent research has revealed that it was also used as a distinct settlement area during the Early Bronze Age (3100–2600 BC). Excavations, initiated in 1964 by Halet Çambel and Robert J. Braidwood, are currently being continued under the direction of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Savaş Sarıaltun in collaboration with Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University. Although only 12.5% of the area has been excavated so far, the data obtained clearly demonstrates the archaeological importance of the settlement.