Hakkari Steles In 1998, a total of thirteen stone steles were unearthed on the northern slopes of the Medieval Castle located in the center of Hakkari city. These steles range in size from 0.70 to 3.10 meters in height and depict naked male figures adorned with codpieces, each featuring a dagger hanging above them. The figures carved on the steles are shown holding various objects such as human skin, axes, daggers, knives, spears, as well as wild animals like goats and deer. Notably, two of the steles possess distinct features that indicate they were likely made to represent women. Created by multiple artisans, the Hakkari steles adhere to specific conventions and are associated with the ruling elite who lived in tents during the latter half of the 2nd millennium BC. These monuments are quite rare within ancient Anatolia and the Near East, spanning a broad chronological range from the 3rd millennium BC to the 12th century AD. Furthermore, the presence of a shared vessel held in both hands on statues from the Gokturk era and Central Asian gravestones indicates a significant cultural link between these regions. If you have any questions or would like more information about the Hakkari Steles, please feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] or simply contact us on WhatsApp, and we will reply promptly.