Archaeologists have recently uncovered a 6,000-year-old temple complex at Tadım Mound in eastern Turkey. This site features a disturbing “blood channel” and an altar stone marked by knife cuts, providing direct evidence of human and animal sacrifices practiced in the region during the Late Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Ages.

The excavation, coordinated by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism alongside the Elazığ Museum Directorate, reveals the complex as potentially the oldest known temple structure in the Upper Euphrates Basin. This discovery profoundly alters our understanding of early religious architecture in the area.

One of the most notable findings within the temple complex is the ritual blood channel that contained both human and animal remains. It directed blood and other bodily fluids from sacrificial victims into a deep pit, indicating an organized ceremonial process.

Ahmet Demirdağ, Provincial Director of Culture and Tourism, emphasized the significance of the site, describing it as the first temple area discovered in the region. Covering an area of 210 by 160 meters and standing 35 meters tall, the Tadım Mound has also revealed important evidence of early religious architecture.

Archaeologists found four podiums potentially used for votive offerings, a sacred hearth, and various ceremonial artifacts. These included pottery, seal stamps, arrowheads, and intricately crafted figurines made from stone, clay, and bone—representative of some of the earliest known forms of symbolic religious expression.

The findings at Tadım Mound align with growing evidence of human sacrifice practices in Bronze Age Turkey. Knife marks on the altar stone suggest extensive use for ritual purposes, highlighting the sophistication of the site’s ceremonial layout.

This discovery positions the temple complex as a key site for understanding the evolution of religious practices in the transition from hunter-gatherer societies to more structured agricultural communities, predating many other famous religious sites significantly. Ongoing excavations are expected to unearth even older artifacts, further deepening our understanding of this critical period in history.