Unveiling the World's Oldest Sanctuary: The Birthplace of Civilization
Discover Göbekli Tepe, an ancient temple complex in Turkey that predates Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids, offering unparalleled insights into the dawn of human civilization.
Göbekli Tepe, located in Southeastern Anatolia, Turkey, stands as one of the oldest known temple complexes on Earth—far older than Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids.
Archaeologists continue to excavate and study this extraordinary site, which offers a rare glimpse into human history dating back over 12,000 years. Scholars believe Göbekli Tepe represents a pivotal chapter in our civilization's origins.
"This is a journey back to civilization, to the very starting point of time."
- Aydın Aslan, Head of Local Culture and Tourism Department
It is believed that around 12,000 years ago, early human groups gathered here to construct this monumental complex, characterized by richly decorated T-shaped megalithic pillars. This predates Stonehenge and the earliest Egyptian pyramids by more than 7,000 years.
"This period marked the transition from hunter-gatherer societies to settled communities."
- Sean Lawrence, Assistant Professor of History, West Virginia University
The sanctuary comprises around twenty circular stone structures adorned with intricate carvings of birds, animals, snakes, spiders, and scorpions, showcasing the artistic expression of prehistoric peoples.
Experts suggest that Göbekli Tepe was likely part of a sacred landscape encompassing nearby hilltop sites. While initially thought to serve purely ritualistic purposes, recent findings reveal evidence of early sedentary life, with architectural features resembling contemporaneous structures found in northern Syria.
Artifacts excavated from Göbekli Tepe are displayed in an impressive archaeological museum in the nearby city of Şanlıurfa, a place steeped in ancient history and often linked to the biblical figure Abraham’s birthplace.
Although discovered in the early 1960s, the site's immense archaeological significance remained unrecognized for decades. Today, researchers continue to uncover new sections of the complex, shedding light on some of humanity’s oldest monuments and offering invaluable insights into the roots of civilization.
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