12 thousand years old Gobeklitepe ruins in Turkey may cause history to be rewritten

It was not long ago when archaeologists announced they had found some very important historical remains in ŞANLIURFA, Turkey dating back to 10,000 years before Christ. This discovery was considered important enough to cause history to be rewritten. The place is GOBEKLITEPE about 15 km from ŞANLIURFA and it hosts the world’s oldest known group of cult structures located near the village of ÖRENCIK.

The common feature of these structures is that T-shaped 10 – 12 obelisks are arranged in a round plan with stone walls. At the center of this structure two obelisks of higher height are placed, facing each other. Most of these obelisks were depicted with human, hand and arm, various animals and abstract symbols, embossed or carved. These motifs were used too intensely to be an ornament.

Experts think this composition refers to a story, a narration or a message. Bulls, wild boars, foxes, snakes, wild ducks and vultures are the most common animal motifs observed on obelisks. Archaeologists believe this was a cult center and not a settlement place.

It is possible to understand that concerned cult structures were built by the last hunter groups towards the transition period to production (agriculture and animal husbandry). In other words, GOBEKLITEPE was an important cult center for hunter – gatherer groups with a highly developed and deep-rooted belief system, at the time.

All these obelisks are interpreted as stylized human sculptures. In particular, the human hand and arm motifs on the body of the central obelisks eliminate any suspicions, in this regard. Actually, these “obelisks” are stylized style sculptures that describe the human body in three dimensions.

The use of GOBEKLITEPE as a cult center continued until around 8,000 BC and was abandoned thereafter and was not used for other purposes. All these and the monumental architecture unearthed in the excavations make this spot unique and special. In this context, it was nominated by UNESCO for World Heritage on 15.04.2011.