Archaeologists have uncovered one of the world’s oldest streets in central Turkey, dating back nearly 9,750 years. The discovery was made at Canhasan 3 Höyük, a Neolithic settlement in Karaman province, and is now considered a key example of early urban planning.
The excavated site reveals a narrow, intentionally created passage separating two houses, one of the earliest known instances of structured space in a prehistoric community. Researchers say the find pushes back the timeline for organized living and suggests early concepts of shared access and settlement planning long before cities emerged.
The excavation is part of the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s “Heritage for the Future Project.” The work is led by Associate Professor Adnan Baysal from Ankara University, whose team uncovered the space while investigating domestic structures at the site.
Challenging assumptions about Neolithic living
Baysal explained that, unlike Çatalhöyük, another prominent Neolithic site known for its tightly packed, roof-accessed homes, Canhasan 3 demonstrates a different model of living. He believes the gaps between homes may have served as walkways, livestock corridors, or multi-use communal areas. While streets are often associated with more advanced societies, this find proves that some form of street-like design existed much earlier.
The archaeological team also found hearths placed differently than those at Çatalhöyük, signaling variations in daily life and cultural practices within the region. Canhasan, which consists of three connected mounds, Canhasan 1, 2, and 3, shows evidence of continuous human habitation from the Pre-Pottery Neolithic to the Iron Age.
Rich resources supported long-term settlement
Experts believe the site’s fertile land and steady water supply supported long-term settlement. Excavators have recovered bones from wild cattle, fish, and waterfowl, suggesting a once-wetland environment that offered rich food sources. Ongoing analysis of plant remains is expected to provide more insight into early agricultural activity.
The presence of a street-like layout at Canhasan 3 challenges long-standing views about the structure of Neolithic communities. While the world’s oldest streets are often linked with later civilizations, this find in Turkey suggests such developments began far earlier than assumed.
Canhasan 3 is now seen as a vital location for understanding early human settlement. Researchers continue to explore how these early people built their homes, moved through shared spaces, and adapted to their environment. As Baysal noted, the discoveries here offer a distinct view of Neolithic life and help reshape the narrative of human social evolution.
