By Mustafa Gungor
MERSIN, Turkey (AA) – Ancient seal dating back to some 9,000 years ago was unearthed at a mound in southern coastal city of Mersin.
The seal — belonging to 7,000 B.C. — was uncovered in excavations at Yumuktepe Hoyuk, located four kilometers west of the city center.
During the two-and-a half month excavations in the mound, the team of 25 — led by Isabella Caneva, an archeology professor at Italy’s Lecce University — discovered an arrow head belonging the Neotlithic era and scores of sling stones, as well.
“We found a seal which belongs to 9,000 years ago. 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, she added.
