Göbeklitepe

Göbeklitepe has recently been the subject of TV series and has become a favorite of archaeologists. Its mystical atmosphere and the many secrets it contains add mystery to its mystery. The obsessive attitude of the archaeologist who revealed the discoveries made in this area is one of the important factors that enabled the discovery of Göbeklitepe. Without this attitude, this important area would perhaps not have come to light. Today, it is said that new inscriptions and information will emerge. This information has the potential to change the historical facts known to humanity, meaning that the truths we know may suddenly become wrong. Therefore, anyone who has not yet visited Göbeklitepe should go and experience the atmosphere of this area.

Göbeklitepe is a structure that is 7000 years older than the pyramids and 6000 years older than Stonehenge in England. Göbeklitepe, which is mysterious, surprising and connected to the sky like these structures, has turned the known human history upside down and rewritten the textbooks. When we go to Göbeklitepe, we go back approximately 12,000 years.

Archaeologists examining sediments from the ice age found bones and tools and called this period the Paleolithic Age. According to Carbon-14 tests, the Neolithic Age (Neolithic period) after the ice age dates back to B.C. It started in 9600 BC.

Göbeklitepe

Assuming that agriculture began and animals were domesticated in the Neolithic Age, archaeologists began to look for traces in Mesopotamia (the region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers), which is considered the cradle of civilization. This search focused on the region called the "Fertile Crescent".

The south of Iraq was examined first, but the desired result was not obtained. Thereupon, researchers asked for help from botanists and zoologists. According to them, to find the places where plants such as wheat and barley or animals such as sheep and goats were first domesticated, one should look at regions with higher altitudes and moderate rainfall.

For this reason, research focused on the regions further north of the "crescent", in the south of Turkey and around Iran. During these researches, Göbeklitepe was one of the areas examined, but it was not considered a priority. Until 1995, German archaeologist Prof. Dr. Until Klaus Schmidt discovered this area.

In the aerial images, a mound without any archaeological remains stood out. According to Schmidt, this hill on a limestone platform could not be natural, it had to be an artificial mound. The excavations confirmed Schmidt's thought and a great discovery was made.

Things Uncovered in Excavations

Göbeklitepe is considered the oldest known temple of humanity and contains many mysteries. The findings unearthed during excavations show that this place is not just a temple, but also an incredible work of engineering and art.

The temples in Göbeklitepe attract attention with their huge T-shaped monolithic columns. These columns are approximately 5.5 meters high and weigh 16 tons. These columns, with human arms and hands engraved on them, probably represent gods. Besides such columns, other animal figures are also found throughout the temples.

One of the most striking features in Göbeklitepe are the detailed figures on the columns. These figures have details that require high artistic and engineering skills. These include bulls, foxes, different bird species, wild boars, scorpions, headless human figures and abstract figures.

The symbolism of the temples is also quite interesting. Each temple attracts attention with its large T columns lined up in the east-west direction. These pillars are aligned with the sunrise or sunset at equinox times, such as March 21st or September 23rd. Additionally, the figures on the columns represent the 12 months of the year and are associated with symbols in the sky.

The findings in Göbeklitepe are important enough to require us to reconsider the known human history. These temples show that communities that earned their living by hunting had complex belief systems even before they transitioned to agriculture-based settlement.

Göbeklitepe Museum

Prof. Sidharth claims that the Rig Veda was written by people living around Göbeklitepe, and to support this claim, he shows pictures of vedic priests and a photograph of a statue found in Göbeklitepe.

Italian archaeo-astronomer Giulio Magli claims that Göbeklitepe was built for the star Sirius. According to Magli, Sirius BC. It crossed the horizon and rose into the sky around 9100 BC, and people built huge structures in Göbeklitepe for this bright star.

Of the 20 temples in Göbeklitepe, 6 have been completely unearthed so far. However, the history of some temples dates back to 14,000-15,000 years ago, and the mystery of Göbeklitepe cannot be solved unless the entire area is uncovered.

The findings unearthed so far prove that I was wrong about people thought to have lived in caves and made a living by hunting.

It proves that. The civilization in Göbeklitepe gave direction to many civilizations in the following years, especially the Sumerians and Akkadians.

Göbeklitepe is known as the oldest and largest temple in the world. This region is considered the zero point of known human history and is seen as the cradle of civilizations. By visiting Göbeklitepe in Şanlıurfa, you can have the opportunity to see these unique structures and discover this fundamental point of civilization. It is important to make efforts to preserve and promote this important heritage.

Where is Göbeklitepe?

Göbeklitepe is located near Örencik village, 20 kilometers northeast of Şanlıurfa. You can visit every day of the week between 08:00 and 19:00. Full Address: Örencik, 63290 Haliliye/Şanlıurfa

Göbeklitepe Entrance Fee

Visiting this historical place will be one of the best things you will do in your life. The entrance fee to Göbeklitepe is 90 TL for 1 adult. Additionally, Museum Card holders can enter free of charge.

While You're At It

Be sure to visit Şanlıurfa Archeology Museum. Magnificent works of art and figurines unearthed from Göbeklitepe excavations are exhibited here. The reliefs of leopards, wild boars, storks, foxes, gazelles, scorpions, snakes and headless people in the temple buildings present important findings about the beliefs of the period. Additionally, an impressive replica of Göbeklitepe awaits its visitors in a separate section.

Resources:
Göbeklitepe — The World's First Temple Documentary
Lost Civilization — Göbeklitepe National Geographic Documentary