Archaeologists in Şanlıurfa, Turkey, have discovered a ceremonial vessel approximately 900 years old at the ancient site of Harran, recognized as one of the oldest settlements in the world and listed on UNESCO’s tentative World Heritage list. The artifact, found during excavations at the historic Harran school, is about 20 centimeters deep and features Arabic inscriptions along its surface, including the maker’s signature. The vessel was crafted using the polishing technique, an advanced ceramic method involving multiple firings to create a shiny metallic layer. Professor Mohamed Ünal, head of the Archaeology Department at Harran University and leader of the excavation team, noted that the school was once an important educational center and that this is the first fully intact example of polished pottery found in Harran. According to the excavation team, the vessel dates back to the Zengid and Ayyubid periods in the 12th century AD.

Ünal emphasized that Harran is frequently mentioned in historical records for its continuous existence over thousands of years, adding that every discovery at the school sheds new light on the city’s role during the Islamic Middle Ages and reflects the peak of pottery craftsmanship in the region.