Ancient seal discovered in mound

MERSİN

An ancient seal dating back to around 9,000 years ago was unearthed in a mound in southern coastal city of Mersin. The seal, dating back to 7,000 B.C., was uncovered in excavations at Yumuktepe mound, located four kilometers west of the city center. 

During the two-and-a half month excavations in the mound, the team of 25 people, led by Isabella Caneva, an archeology professor at Italy’s Lecce University, discovered an arrow head belonging to the Neolithic era and scores of sling stones, as well. 

“We found a seal, which was from 9,000 years ago. A seal means private property. There are geometric patterns on it,” Caneva said. 

“The obsidian arrowhead, which belongs to the Neolithic period was removed and a large number of sling stones, which were used for counting the calcolitic layer with a geometric pattern seal were discovered,” she said. 

The team acquired precious and useful information about the region’s history during the excavation, Caneva added.