Latitude and longitude coordinates are: 37.2234629, 38.9226076.
Göbekli Tepe is an archaeological site located in southeastern Turkey, near the city of Şanlıurfa. It is considered one of the most important archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. The site is believed to be the oldest known temple complex in the world, dating back to the Pre-Pottery Neolithic period, around 9600 to 7300 BCE.
Göbekli Tepe consists of several large, circular structures made of massive stone pillars arranged in a series of concentric rings. These pillars, some of which weigh up to 20 tons, are adorned with intricate carvings of animals, including lions, foxes, snakes, and birds. The carvings suggest a highly skilled craftsmanship and artistic expression.
What makes Göbekli Tepe remarkable is that it challenges the conventional understanding of early human civilization. The site predates the advent of agriculture and settled communities, which were previously thought to be necessary for the development of monumental architecture and complex social organization. Göbekli Tepe suggests that hunter-gatherer societies were capable of constructing large-scale ceremonial structures and implies that the shift towards settled life may have been influenced by religious or social factors rather than purely economic ones.
The discovery of Göbekli Tepe has provided valuable insights into the social, cultural, and religious practices of our ancient ancestors. It has sparked ongoing research and debate among archaeologists and historians, shedding light on the complexity and sophistication of early human societies.
| Country | Turkey |
| Latitude | 37.2234629 |
| Longitude | 38.9226076 |
| Elevation | 774 m |
| Distance | NA km |