66-Million-Year-Old Fossil Found at Kulhoyuk Near Ankara

Archaeologists have made an unusual discovery during excavations at the ancient Kulhoyuk settlement in Gölbaşı, Ankara Province: a fossil estimated to be around 66 million years old.

The find is particularly interesting because the fossil is tens of millions of years older than the archaeological site where it was discovered. Kulhoyuk is believed to be around 5,000 years old, leading researchers to consider how the much older fossil ended up among the settlement's archaeological layers.

Türkiye's Ministry of Culture and Tourism announced the discovery on September 14, 2026.

What Was Found at Kulhoyuk?

The object has been preliminarily identified as a fossil belonging to the Gastropoda group, which includes modern snails and other gastropods.

According to the initial scientific assessment, the fossil is approximately 66 million years old. Its geological origin is associated with the later stages of the ancient Tethys Sea, which played an important role in the geological formation of Central Anatolia.

Important: The identification is preliminary. Further laboratory research will be needed to determine the exact species and confirm additional details about the fossil.

Why Is the Discovery So Unusual?

The main mystery is the enormous difference between the age of the fossil and the archaeological layers of Kulhoyuk.

• 🪨 Fossil: approximately 66 million years old
• 🏺 Kulhoyuk settlement: approximately 5,000 years old

This means that the fossil did not originate during the period when the settlement itself was inhabited, unlike pottery, tools and architectural remains found at the site.

One possibility being considered by researchers is that ancient inhabitants found the unusual stone somewhere else and brought it to the settlement because of its distinctive appearance.

Researchers still need to determine whether the fossil had a practical, symbolic or simply collectible value for the people who may have brought it to the settlement.

What Is Known About Kulhoyuk?

Kulhoyuk is located in the Gölbaşı district of Ankara Province. The archaeological site is associated with the Hattian and Hittite history of Central Anatolia.

According to Ankara University, the archaeological mound is approximately:

• 📏 250 metres long;
• 📐 150 metres wide;
• ⛰️ 22 metres high.

The site contains cultural layers from different historical periods. Archaeological excavations have been carried out there since 2021 under an official research programme.

The excavations are led by Associate Professor Derya Yılmaz Tekin.

What Could the Fossil Tell Researchers About Ancient People?

For archaeologists, the importance of the discovery goes beyond the geological age of the fossil. Researchers are also interested in the possible history of how the object reached the ancient settlement.

If the hypothesis that people intentionally brought the fossil to Kulhoyuk is confirmed, it could provide another example of ancient inhabitants paying attention to unusual natural objects and potentially collecting or keeping them.

The discovery therefore connects two different areas of research: the geological history of Central Anatolia and the behaviour of people who lived in the region thousands of years ago.

Can Visitors See the Fossil?

At present, there has been no official announcement of a dedicated museum display for the newly discovered fossil.

There is also no confirmed information about a new tourist route or changes to visitor access to the excavation site because of the discovery.

Kulhoyuk remains an active archaeological site, so visitors should check the latest access rules before planning a visit.

Further research will help determine the fossil's exact origin and how an object dating back around 66 million years came to be found among the remains of a settlement inhabited thousands of years ago.