The cave was not full of turtles. About 25 stone turtle shapes were found.
Debated. The team thinks the way they were placed may be a ritual, but that is not proved.
The finds are from İn Cave, on Gedikkaya Hill, in northwestern Turkey. Some come from a layer about 16,500 years old. Radiocarbon dates for that cave layer run from about 14,500 to 11,200 BC. The shapes are mainly limestone, and several may be coated in clay. They were standing upright around rings of stone. The largest is about 30 centimetres long and 20 centimetres wide.
The page says their exact purpose is still unknown.
https://www.ancient-origins.net/news-history-archaeology/turtle-figurines-turkey-00103123