An open-air Neolithic excavation with a protective shelter and interpretive signage, where visitors can view the mudbrick houses of one of Anatolia's oldest villages on the Melendiz stream.
The Asıklı Höyük Open-Air Site is the visitor-facing component of one of Central Anatolia's most important Neolithic excavations, located near the village of Kızılkaya in the Gülağaç district of Aksaray province, approximately 25 kilometres southeast of Aksaray city. The site presents the exposed mudbrick architecture and excavation deposits of a settlement occupied continuously from approximately 8350 to 7300 BC — a village predating pottery in the region and representing one of the earliest known permanent communities in Anatolia.
The primary visitor feature is a purpose-built protective shelter erected over a section of the ongoing excavation. Beneath the shelter, exposed mudbrick walls surviving across multiple building phases reveal the dense, planned arrangement of Neolithic houses that were entered from the roof rather than through ground-level doors. The thick mud walls and preserved floor deposits are directly visible from the walkway around the shelter, providing an unusually immediate encounter with architecture that is more than 10,000 years old.
Bilingual (Turkish and English) interpretive boards are positioned around the shelter and along the approach path. These cover the site's radiocarbon-dated chronology, the discovery of the world's earliest known trepanned skull (displayed at the Aksaray Museum), the evidence for early animal management, and the excavation methodology used by the Istanbul University team currently directing the ongoing fieldwork. The boards include scaled diagrams of the building plan and photographs of finds recorded in situ.
The site is open access and free of charge, managed jointly by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the excavation team. Visitors are expected to remain on the marked path around the shelter and not to handle any exposed material. The surrounding volcanic and alluvial landscape of the Melendiz stream valley adds to the atmospheric quality of the visit, particularly in spring and early autumn when temperatures are mild.
Location
Kizilkaya, 68300 Gulagac/Aksaray, Turkiye
38.3489, 34.2300 View on map
Highlights
- Protective shelter over exposed Neolithic mudbrick walls dated c. 8350–7300 BC, viewable from a close-access walkway
- Visible multi-phase architecture showing roof-entry house construction predating regional pottery
- Bilingual interpretive boards covering Neolithic chronology, the trepanation discovery, and early animal management evidence
- Free, open-access site in the atmospheric Melendiz stream valley setting
- Active excavation site — seasonal summer fieldwork may be visible during annual campaign periods
Tips for visiting
- Visit the Aksaray Museum before or after the site to see the trepanned skull and excavation finds in their display context
- Spring (April–May) offers the most comfortable site conditions — mild temperatures and a green Melendiz valley setting
- Stay strictly on the marked path; excavation deposits are fragile and may be covered by protective backfill between seasons
- Bring water — no refreshments are available at the open-air site
- Morning visits are more comfortable in summer as the low protective shelter offers limited shade from afternoon sun
Accessibility
The approach path from the road to the protective shelter is unpaved and crosses moderately uneven ground over roughly 200 metres. The walkway around the shelter has a compacted gravel surface. The site is not formally wheelchair accessible, though visitors with moderate mobility can navigate the terrain. There are no toilet facilities on site; the nearest are available in Kızılkaya village.
Frequently asked questions
Can the site be visited year-round?
The site is open year-round as a daytime open-access site. Brief access restrictions may apply during the annual active excavation campaign in summer, but the shelter area is typically accessible even during fieldwork.
Are there toilet facilities on site?
No toilet facilities are available at the open-air site. The nearest facilities are in Kızılkaya village or at the Aksaray Museum in the city centre.
Is a guide necessary to make sense of the site?
The on-site bilingual interpretation boards provide a solid overview for self-guided visitors. A specialist in Neolithic Anatolia adds significant interpretive depth, but the boards are sufficient for a rewarding independent visit.