Hacilar

Hacılar is a Neolithic tell and archaeological site in southwestern Turkey near Burdur, notable for well-preserved domestic architecture and painted pottery. It is an important site for the study of early farming communities in Anatolia.

Excavations revealed compact mudbrick houses, successive occupation layers and a distinctive assemblage of painted ceramics and figurines that illustrate domestic life and craft production. The site’s stratigraphy has provided a sequence for Neolithic and Chalcolithic occupation in the region.

The site was excavated in the mid-20th century by archaeologists who documented its multiple occupation phases and material culture; the work helped shape understanding of settled village life in Anatolia during the Neolithic. Finds from Hacılar have informed broader studies of early agriculture and pottery development.

Hacılar lies in the Lakes Region of southwestern Turkey, near the modern city of Burdur.

• Museum displays: Many of the site’s important finds and pottery are displayed in local museums, helping to contextualise the settlement within Anatolian Neolithic culture.
• Key discoveries: Excavations in the mid-20th century revealed mudbrick houses, painted ceramics and anthropomorphic figurines, offering key evidence for early settled farming communities in southwest Anatolia.

Hacilar is reached from the city of Burdur by a short local drive (roughly 15-20 km depending on the site entrance used). Burdur is accessible by regional road from cities such as Isparta and Denizli.

• Visit the Burdur Archaeological Museum (city of Burdur) for finds from Hacilar and helpful context.
• Combine a site visit with other lakeside and archaeological stops in the region to make a full day of it.