göbekli tepe – the oldest known place of worship in the world

Göbekli Tepe is one of the most fascinating Neolithic sites in the world. It is a tell, an artificial mound dating to the Pre-Pottery Neolithic. It was not used for habitation; it consists of several sanctuaries in the form of round megalithic enclosures. The site is located about 15km north-east of the Turkish city of Sanliurfa, at the highest point of an extended mountain range that is visible from the surrounding planes (pic 1). Its enormous deposition of layers, up to fifteen meters high, have accumulated over several millennia in an area of about nine hectares. Even today, the place has lost nothing of its magic appeal. For example, a wish fulfilling tree which stands on top of the ridge is still sought out by the residents of the surrounding area (pics 2&3).
Archaeologists found an important piece of the puzzle in the early history of humanity at the site, which contributes to a completely new understanding of the process of settling and the beginning of agriculture. The hill, which is strewn with countless stone implements and large-format, regular-shaped ashlars, revealed its secret as a result of the excavations carried out since 1995 by the German Archaeological Institute in cooperation with the Archaeological Museum in Sanlıurfa with German chief excavator. Archeologist Professor Klaus Schmidt summarized his findings in an article  in Actual Archeology Magazine 2012.

Unfortunately Schmidt died of a heart attack while on vacation in Germany in 2014–while I was visiting the place. At that time only about 3 % of the huge site had been excavated and most areas were protected with roofs and fences. Photography was difficult. But the wish fulfilling tree still stood on top of the hill. I sat there and imagined myself as one of my ancient forefathers thousands of years ago.

Excavations were continued afte Smith’s death. In 2018 the site became recognized as World Cultural Heritage.