In the Taş Tepeler, or Stone Mounds, of southeastern Turkey’s Şanlıurfa Province, archaeologists have uncovered more than 20 sites dating to the Pre-Pottery Neolithic period (ca. 12,000 to 10,200 years ago) that share characteristics including monumental architecture and distinctive stone carvings. Taken together, these sites suggest something revolutionary was happening in the area at this time. (Credit for all photos: © Tolga Ildun.)