Excavations at Göbekli Tepe continue to yield findings. Researchers found living quarters of an ancient civilization, which disproved earlier theories that the site served solely as a ceremonial pilgrimage destination.
Göbekli Tepe, a Neolithic archaeological site situated in the Germuş mountains of southeastern Anatolia, close to the border of Syria, revolutionized our understanding of prehistory and the origins of civilization, particularly regarding ancient humans and their societal complexities. The oldest parts of Göbekli Tepe date back to around 10,000 BCE, with its construction occurring up to 15,000 years ago.
The enormous T-shaped pillars at Göbekli Tepe, some reaching heights of up to 5.5 meters, are the oldest examples of monumental architecture discovered to date. These pillars were carved from flint at a time when metal tools were not yet used, demonstrating architectural skills.
So far, only about 10% of the Göbekli Tepe site was excavated, and it is likely to take around 150 years to excavate the full site. Archaeologists estimate that there are still 15 more enclosures buried underground, one of which could be up to 15,000 years old, built around 13,000 BCE. As excavations continue, researchers hope to unravel more mysteries about life at this ancient site, according to Infobae.
Göbekli Tepe could be the first known temple in the world, proposed to be a religious center in the Neolithic, making it at least 6,000 years older than Stonehenge. The discovery challenges the idea that agriculture was the first step toward civilization, as it appears to have been a ceremonial center rather than a simple agricultural settlement. The discovery led to a change in how archaeologists approach prehistory and called into question accepted theories about the development of early civilizations and the adoption of agriculture and animal husbandry.
At Göbekli Tepe, communities of hunter-gatherers gathered to perform rituals, periodically traveling from an area of 200 kilometers to celebrate rituals related to the animals represented on the pillars. “The complex would have been constructed by groups of hunter-gatherers who periodically gathered to celebrate rituals related to the animals represented on the pillars of the site,” stated Klaus Schmidt, the late archaeologist who led excavations until his death in 2014.
Sculptures, both zoomorphic and anthropomorphic, were found at Göbekli Tepe, suggesting that religion and spirituality may have been key factors in the formation of complex societies. The motifs and adornments on the pillars resemble a representation of a mythological story, which could serve as proof that Göbekli Tepe was a center of worship.
Göbekli Tepe demonstrated that human societies were more complex and interconnected than previously thought. It is considered even older than the era of Sumer, which experts often consider one of the earliest true civilizations.
Excavations also uncovered small grinding mills and flint sickles, indicating that its builders may have practiced agriculture. Remains of plants and animals reflecting the diet of the time were found, suggesting a continued tradition over several millennia. This could mean that humans began settling into permanent locations and building cities 1,000 years earlier than previously thought.
Recent excavations in nearby sites like Karahantepe unearthed similar monumental structures, including the largest known human statue of the time, 2.45 meters tall and an example of prehistoric art. The statue is an anthropomorphic sculpture with a realistic facial expression, firmly attached to the ground on a bench.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.
This article was originally published at www.jpost.com
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