Ongoing excavations in Göbeklitepe, known as the world’s oldest temple, reveal new structures. 12 thousand-year-old temple is visited by thousands of tourists every year and the ongoing excavations in the archaeological site also attract the attention of the world of archeology and history.

MEDİNE MAMEDOĞLU

Rıha -Göbeklitepe (Girê Miraza), which is described as the “zero point in time” in archaeological sources and known as the world’s oldest temple, continues to attract all attention with its new unearthing structures. The archaeological site is located near Xirapreşk (Örencik) village, approximately 18 km northeast of Rıha (Şanlıurfa). The cult buildings in the historical site are also known as the oldest cult building in the world. The first excavation in Göbeklitepe, which attracted the attention of many archaeologists and historians, first started in 1963. The excavations have been carried out jointly by the Urfa Museum and the German Archaeological Institute since 1995.

Excavations reveal new findings

The archaeological site attracts tourists in four seasons. While the unearthed structures shed light on history, new buildings have been found in the excavations restarted last year. New houses have been found under existing houses. Archaeologists claim that the history of Göbeklitepe, which is known to date back 12 thousand years, goes back even further with new buildings. Excavations continue in the area where the newly found buildings are protected.

The motifs on the obelisks draw attention

The common feature of the structures in Göbeklitepe is that 10-12 obelisks in the shape of T are lined in a round plan and the walls are erected with stone walls. Two higher obelisks are placed mutually in the center of this building. On most of these obelisks, human, hand, and arm, various animals and abstract symbols are depicted by embossing or engraving. The motifs in question were used extensively to be an ornament in places. This composition is thought to mean a story, a narrative, or a message.

Göbeklitepe was included in the World Heritage temporary list

Göbeklitepe is claimed that the earliest use of the region dates back to Phase A (9.600-7.300 BC) of the Pottery Neolithic Age (PPN, Pre-Pottery Neolithic), that is, at least 11.600 years ago. However, it is not possible to date the oldest activities in Göbekli Tepe, but when these monumental structures are examined; it is thought that they have a history dating back to the Paleolithic Age, a few thousand years earlier, to the Epipaleolithic. All these and the monumental architecture unearthed during excavations make Göbeklitepe unique and special. In this context, Göbeklitepe was included in the World Heritage temporary list by UNESCO in 2011 and entered the permanent list in 2018.