Göbeklitepe, 20 km away from the city center of Şanlıurfa, has approved its being the primeval prayer place of the civilization history. Those who are curious about its history, this article will enlighten you!
12.000 years ago, in-between Fırat and Dicle, the primordial sanctuary was constructed on the fertile land. With its frame breaking nature, amazing remnants enlightening history, geography, sociology, theology and anthropology are still found.
Here are 10 questions and answers to satisfy your curiosity
1. What is Göbeklitepe?
Göbeklitepe is thought to be the first property where mankind become sedentary. However, contrary to what is believed, the excavation works revealed that it was not built for domestic purposes but for religious purposes. On that sense, the land is interpreted as the first “pilgrimage center” of the history. Göbeklitepe has hosted many religious rituals for centuries.
2. Why is it so important?
When compared to Egyptian Pyramids which is 7500 years younger and Stonehenge in England which is 7000 years younger, Göbeklitepe site is proved to be the oldest men-crafted (human-built) property.
3. Where exactly is it?
20 km far away from Şanlıurfa city center, within the boundaries of Örencik Village. It is exactly located in fertile crescent which is called Mesopotamia.
4. How was Göbeklitepe site discovered? (brought up to light)
Mahmut Kılıç, a farmer, found a slab of limestone while ploughing and brought it to Şanlıurfa Archeological Museum. That was the first step taken to discover Göbeklitepe’s archaeological treasures. However, until 1995, no one looked further. In 1995, in collaboration with German Archaeologist Prof. Dr. Klaus Schmidt, Şanlıurfa Archaeological Museum and Ministry of Cultural affairs notable archaeological excavations started.
5. How did Göbeklitepe shed light on the rise of human civilization?
According to Dr. Klaus Schmidt findings in Göbeklitepe has disproved the thesis that “with the agricultural life, mankind become domestic”. Göbeklitepe, the oldest sanctuary of the history, proved, in the light of findings in excavations, that what made mankind domestic was not agriculture but such religious sites.
6. What are the “firsts” of Göbeklitepe?
Göbeklitepe is thought to be the first site where wheat agriculture was realized, and the beer was brewed. Besides, from an architectural point of view, it is believed to reveal the earliest architecture with waterproof constructed ground, T-shaped pillars, ornate engravings of figures.
7. The figures on the columns… What do they tell us?
Lion, crane, snake, cattle, wild plant figures on T-shaped pillars indicates that Mesopotamia had rich and diversified ecosystem during the Neolithic age. Above all, it can easily be understood that the folk living in Göbeklitepe was so familiar with the ecosystem that they could artfully carve the figures.
8. Is it open to visitors?
In collaboration with The Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Doğuş Holding, the archaeological site is open to visitors in condition that excavation site is closed. With a special roof system, sanctuary sites are preserved and the findings in the excavations are exhibited in the museum. You can visit the site just like visiting an archaeological museum.
9. When will the excavation works end?
There are still hidden treasures in the site waiting to be revealed and seems that it will take 200 years to shed light on them. The natural disasters and force majeures are also taken into consideration when estimating the time.
10. What are the current findings in Göbeklitepe?
According to the striking results revealed in the report based on the recent researches of archaeologist Bruce Fenton, abstract symbols bear a great resemblance to the symbols of Australian Aborigines. In that sense, it seems possible that Shamanism was first practiced in Göbeklitepe.
