Sarcophagus of Maria Magdalene

Şanlıurfa - Yeni Mahalle Höyüğü is located within the
ancient town center of Şanlıurfa, north of Balıklıgöl sacred area

The Urfa Man (or Balıklıgöl Statue) was discovered in1993 during construction work near Balıklıgöl in Şanlıurfa, making it the world's oldest known life-sized human sculpture from the Pre-Pottery Neolithic Period (around 9,000 BC).

Water was plentiful at the pre-historic community

Heavy earth moving machinery rolling over a 12,000 year old in 1993, when the Urfa Man was revealed.

Three to five meters under the earth....

Many do not know that when they enjoy the beatiful park around Balikligöl, the
Pool of the Sacred fish, that just below them is a hidden temple complex and ancient town.

The archetypal und archaic Anatolian goddess, Cybele, was revered not only throughout Anatolia but also on the neighboring (modern day) Greek islands.

Evidence of her cult can still be seen today in the cave formations and niches carved into hillsides. Her great gift to humanity is the mystery of rebirth.

Many of these caves symbolize the birth canal and end in womb-like forms. On the island of Samos, for example, one enters the caves as if stepping back into the darkness of the womb—not of a biological mother and father, but of the Great Goddess of eternity.

During our journey through Anatolia, we will visit many such places—caves and rock niches where Cybele was likely venerated long before the appearance and unveiling of the many goddesses who later emerged in human consciousness, in our hearts and in our souls.