Why do some Seljuq architectural carvings in Anatolia show human and animal figures?

The presence of human and animal figures in 13th-century Seljuq architectural carvings in Anatolia is a subject of ongoing historical research, and scholars have not yet reached a definitive consensus on their origin.1

There are two primary theories regarding these decorative motifs:

• Pre-Islamic Influence: Some historians suggest that these figures reflect the decorative wealth and traditions of pre-Islamic monuments already present in the Anatolian region.1
• Central Asian Heritage: Other scholars propose that these carvings are a vestige of pagan Turkish art that originated in Central Asia and were brought to Anatolia by migrating groups.1

While Seljuq architecture in Anatolia was heavily influenced by Iranian and Syrian styles, the use of sculpture in the round or in high relief to depict human and animal forms represents a distinct and original development within the region's architectural decoration.1