Archaeologists have uncovered about 25 turtle figurines at a prehistoric ritual site in northwestern Turkey, with radiocarbon testing dating the site to between 14,500 and 11,200 BC.

The limestone figurines were found during excavations at Gedikkaya Hill and İn Cave in Bilecik’s İnhisar district. Some were coated with clay, while the largest measured about 30 centimeters long and 20 centimeters wide.

The excavations were conducted from May 18 to Jul 18 by a 14-member team led by Prof. Deniz Sarı of Bilecik Şeyh Edebali University’s Department of Archaeology.

Radiocarbon tests place the finds in the Epipaleolithic period, which lasted roughly from 20,000 to 10,000 BC. Researchers believe the figurines were made for ritual purposes and placed inside the cave.