Newly Found Phallic Statue Could Reveal Ancient Secrets

A 7.5 foot statue of a man holding onto his proverbial "junk" was recently discovered at an archaeological site of Karahan Tepe in Sanliurfa, Turkey. The phallic statue, which is estimated to be around 11,000 years old could reveal ancient secrets about the Neolithic culture.

The statue was found in southeastern Turkey. According to Marianne Guenot, of Business Insider, the site is believed by some people to be the world's oldest Neolithic temple. If these dates are accurate, it would predate the Egyptian pyramids and Stonehenge by over 6,000 years!

The statue appears to be the skeleton of a man with both of his hands placed on its penis. Not just the region, the actual thing. The phallic statue is sitting on a bench along with a leopard, according to France24. Necmi Karul, of Istanbul University, who is credited with uncovering the statue, told Agence France Presse that discovering statues like this one is not rare, "but for the first time here we found the phallus."

It turns out, the region where the phallic statue was found is actually full of these things. In the archaeological community, the area is, in fact, known for its depictions of the male appendage. The famous Urfa Man, a statue more than 6 feet tall of a man seeming to protect his penis with both hands, was also found nearby.

That's not all! The site of Karahan Tepe features many scenes like this one. According to Business Insider, Sean Thomas, of The Spectator, wrote about his experience there and noted similar pieces. Thomas wrote about another room there with T-shaped pillars (another phallic shape).

These findings show that these communities across Southwest Asia were more sophisticated than previously believed. What remains unclear is what the site was originally for. Klaus Schmidt, a German archeologist, told Smithsonian Magazine the site was "the first human-built hold place." Others disagree, including University of Toronto anthropologist, Ted Banning. Banning believes that these buildings were probably houses instead of temples.

Per Live Science, Banning said, "The fact that the figure is clutching its penis is also consistent with this interpretation by potentially symbolizing that this person was the progenitor of a social group, such as a lineage or clan, associated with the building."

While archaeologists may disagree about it's meaning, they do agree that this is a very significant find and is helping to better our understanding of the Neolithic culture and how people lived back then. For more on this story check out Marianne Guenot's article on Business Insider!

There are incredible destinations that deserve a spot on your travel bucket list. The world is full of incredible places that can fill our lives with wonder and excitement. These places might seem like they're from a dream, but they are real and waiting for us to explore. Let's take a journey into the joy of travel and discover some amazing destinations that you should add to your travel bucket list.

Picture a place where rocks and caves create a scene that looks like it's straight out of a fairy tale. This is Cappadocia, Turkey. Its unique rock formations and ancient cave houses are a true marvel of nature. Travel a bit further, and you'll arrive at Vaadhoo Island in the Maldives. When night falls, the ocean lights up with tiny, glowing plankton. This magical phenomenon turns the shoreline into something out of this world.

But the wonders don't stop there. In Bolivia, the Salar de Uyuni, a vast salt flat, transforms into a giant mirror when it rains. This surreal sight makes us question what's real and what's not, proving that nature loves to play tricks on us in the most delightful ways. In Northern Ireland, the Giant's Causeway will make you feel like you've stepped onto another planet. Its neat arrangement of rock columns looks like the work of a skilled artist.

The world is a treasure trove of experiences waiting to be enjoyed, offering us a chance to witness the surreal and the enchanting firsthand. As travelers, we're curious about the world's unique treasures. Many places deserve special attention on your travel bucket list, whether you're after a serene beach experience, an off-the-grid retreat, or an exploration of a new city abroad.

Take a look at these eight seemingly unreal places to add to your travel bucket list.

This Arizona canyon was naturally carved by rainwater streams within the sandstone. The Navajo Nation gave it the name 'The place where water runs through rocks.' Visit Arizona explains that the Upper Antelope Canyon tour is more frequented due to increased sunlight and towering walls reaching 120 feet. Alternatively, the Lower Antelope Canyon tour is equally remarkable, providing visitors with an immersive encounter among the swirling sandstone walls.

Among the world's largest springs, the Grand Prismatic measures an expansive 370 feet in diameter, exceeding the size of a football field. Its vibrant appearance stems from bands of orange, yellow, and green that encircle the deep blue waters. These diverse colors originate from different strains of thermophile bacteria, thriving in the progressively cooler waters around the spring, as explained by Yellowstone National Park. For a bird's-eye-like view of the Grand Prismatic, they suggest visitors follow the half-mile Fairy Falls trail to a lookout.

Located in Turkmenistan's Karakum Desert, the Door to Hell is a large fiery crater. It emerged when a natural gas field accidentally caught fire in 1971 and has been burning continuously since then, according to National Geographic. A well-visited tourist spot, the Door to Hell permits visitors to hike down into the crater for a close view of the flames and an opportunity to experience the unique atmosphere of the site. The Door to Hell, also referred to as the Darvaza Gas Crater, is located in a rural part of the country.

Found along Iceland's South Coast, the Diamond Beach is a volcanic black sand shoreline adjacent to the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. Ice blocks from the glacier lagoon wash ashore after breaking into smaller pieces at sea, as mentioned in the Diamond Beach Travel Guide. The beach is also a natural habitat for seals.

According to the Tongass National Forest, the Mendenhall Glacier is among the numerous expansive glaciers originating from the Juneau Icefield, an area spanning 1500 square miles of rock, snow, and ice. The glacier gradually advances under the influence of gravity, descending down the slope. Over time, it carves the bedrock and erodes during its 13-mile path until it reaches Mendenhall Lake.

Located on the Oregon coast near Cape Perpetua, there's a large sinkhole that appears to swallow seawater continuously, resembling a bottomless pit. According to Yachats Oregon, it's often called the "drainpipe of the Pacific." They explain that the well is actually a hole in the rock that gives the impression of draining ocean water. Some researchers believe this well might have started as a sea cave shaped by waves. Over time, its roof likely collapsed, creating openings at the top and bottom, which spray ocean water.

Found close to the town of Gryfino in West Pomerania, Poland, the Crooked Forest consists of 400 peculiarly contorted pine trees. As revealed by Discovery, these pine trees were planted approximately in 1930, back when the area was part of the German province of Pomerania. Starting from the ground, the pine trees exhibit a distinctive feature: they grow with a sharp 90-degree bend towards the north, before gracefully straightening up towards the sky.

The beach is named for its pink sand, which comes from tiny organisms in the coral reefs nearby. Visitors can swim, snorkel, and see marine life like sea turtles and manta rays in the clear water. The beach also has great views of hills and turquoise waters.

What do you think about the discovery? Let us know in the comments!