Archaeologists working at the Pre-Pottery Neolithic site of Karahantepe in southeastern Turkey have announced the discovery of a monumental communal plaza. The structure, which dates back nearly 11,000 years, features integrated stone benches and large central pillars, suggesting it served as a primary venue for large-scale seasonal gatherings and ritualized feasting before the advent of settled agriculture.
Excavations revealed significant quantities of animal bone fragments and specialized stone vessels, indicating the preparation of communal meals. This discovery provides critical evidence that complex social festivals and organized group rituals were a driving force behind the development of settled communities in the Fertile Crescent, predating domestic crops.