Zero Point In Time: G?beklitepe

G?beklitepe refers to an archaeological site, which is considered one of the oldest known temple complexes in the world, located in the vicinity of ?rencik village of Haliliye district, 18 km northeast of ?anl?urfa in Turkey. The "zero point of history" is referred to in some sources as G?beklitepe, which has an estimated age of 9600–9500 BC.?

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Given that G?beklitepe is the earliest architectural structure to have been discovered to date, this discovery is crucial to archaeology and human history. This ancient building, which dates to the Pre-Pottery Neolithic period, or roughly 12,000 years ago, marks a significant turning point in human history. Along with this, it is known that the final hunter groups that were in close proximity to agriculture and animal husbandry created the construction.

The rise of G?beklitepe

The oldest known megaliths in the world can be found in this work, which comprises of several enormous circular monuments with stone pillars. Ten to twelve T-shaped obelisks were placed in a circle within this building, and stone walls were constructed in between them. Two taller obelisks are set opposite one another in the building's center. The majority of these obelisks have abstract, human, animal, hands and arms, and embossed or carved symbols on them.

It is possible to see tons of motifs in every piece of this place! You can assume that each of these themes has a purpose. These factors combine with the massive architecture discovered during the excavations to make G?beklitepe a?unique building. The ?anl?urfa Archeology Museum currently has some statues and stones on display that were discovered during the local excavations.

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From the hill, one can see the F?rat?Plain to the west, the mountain range separating the ?anl?urfa plateau and the F?rat?Plain to the north, the Toros Mountains and the foothills of the Karaca Mountains to the east, and the Harran Plain to the Syrian border to the south. Because of its expansive location, G?beklitepe may be observed from a fairly wide region as well.

G?beklitepe; With the completion of projects such as a visitor welcome center, services for transportation, social facilities, walking paths and cafeterias, it started to host its visitors and 2019 was declared the year of G?beklitepe in Turkey. G?beklitepe, which attracts great attention all over the world, has taken its place among the most popular places of TV series and movie screenwriters and book writers. In addition, this number continues to increase day by day!

Interesting discovery story!

In 1986, a farmer plowing his field found a stone resembling a statue and thought it was valuable and took it to the ?anl?urfa Archeology Museum. This stone, which nobody understood at first, is taken to the warehouse of the museum by the director of the museum in order to preserve it properly.

German Prof. Dr. Klaus Schmidt says he would like to inspect the works in the warehouse while looking to see if there is an artifact he hasn't seen while he is?visiting the museum in ?anl?urfa for a completely different project. While touring the warehouse, an archaeologist came across the sculpture stone that the farmer had given him. Attracted by the stone's mystery and unsatisfied with the explanations he had received, the archaeologist began to look into the matter in an effort to solve the G?beklitepe mystery. With excavations starting in earnest after 1994, the area's true worth started to become apparent.

What benefits has it given us today?

To summarize why this discovery is so important; Contrary to what has been known and taught for hundreds of years in the transition to sedentary life, it has been definitively proven that belief is at the forefront, people come together for their beliefs and after the needs arisen, they move to sedentary life.Along with this, it is known that the final hunter groups that were in close proximity to agriculture and animal husbandry created the construction.

With a 12000-year history, G?beklitepe is the oldest temple known to humankind. It was added to UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2011 and was added to the permanent list in 2018. The discovery of G?beklitepe, which surprised the entire globe, took place in the mesopotamian region, which serves as a link between antiquity and modernity. The document is. Archaeological investigations have shown that humans practiced religious rituals and ceremonies before settling down, and G?beklitepe is testament of this.

Just the top of the iceberg has been exposed on G?beklitepe thus far! Even though only 6 temples have been exposed thus far, it is believed that there are roughly 20. We are eager to meet them as well!

Useful Details:

Opening Hours: 7:30

Time of Closure: 19:30?

Box Office 19:00 Closing Time

Don't forget to take a detour to ?anl?urfa to see this remarkable temple and keep learning with?Plavel!