Gobekli Tepe, Turkey (Early Neolithic Ceremonial Center)
Göbekli Tepe is an Early Neolithic site of enormous significance, featuring 5-meter-high monolithic pillars carved in relief and dating to 10,000 or more years ago. Erected within circular “temple” structures, the latest excavations have revealed that these structures likely covered the entire hillside and could number as many as 20 in total. Göbekli Tepe has been interpreted as the oldest human-made place of worship yet discovered. Until excavations began, a complex on this scale was not thought possible for a community so ancient. The massive sequence of stratification layers suggests several millennia of activity, perhaps reaching back to the Mesolithic. The oldest occupation layer (stratum III) contains monolithic pillars linked by coarsely built walls to form circular or oval structures. So far, four such buildings, with diameters between 10 and 30m have been uncovered. Geophysical surveys indicate the existence of 16 additional structures. However, the site and its extant remains are threatened by looting, exposure and insufficient management of the site and its resources.
-From the Global Heritage Fund website
(Click each photo to enlarge)
Photo by Dan Thompson
Site View from the East
Photo by Dan Thompson
Visitor Walkway Under Construction
Photo by James Hooper
Detailed Relief Carved on Pillars
Photo by Global Heritage Fund
Monolithic T-shaped Pillars
Photo by Global Heritage Fund
Exposed Archaeology
Photo by Global Heritage Fund
Broken Stone Monolith
Photo by Global Heritage Fund
Photo by Global Heritage Fund
Photo by Dan Thompson
Plans for a Visitor Center
Photo by Global Heritage Fund
Conservation Team
Local workers make up the majority of the conservation team. Photo by Global Heritage Fund
Exposure of Archaeology
The archaeological remains, once exposed through excavaton, are also subject to damage from erosion and the freeze/thaw cycle. Photo by Global Heritage Fund
Gobekli Tepe
The site features 5-meter-high monolithic pillars carved in relief and dating to 10,000 or more years ago. Photo by Global Heritage Fund
Community Development
One of the conservation lab facilities in Orencik, a nearby town that stands to gain from the conservation of Gobekli Tepe. Photo by Global Heritage Fund
Sculpted Predator on Stone Pillar
Long-tailed animal with bared teeth carved in high relief on pillar. Photo by Haldun Ayding
Carved Stone Pillar
Ancient carves stone pillar. Photo by Berthold Steinhilber
Wooden Catwalk
A Wooden Catwalk that Allows Workers and Visitors Access Around Site.
Photo by Dan Thompson, Phd-GHF
Unearthed Stone Pillars
View of circular arrangement of megalithic pillars with relief carving. Photo by Berthold Steinhibler
Wooden Crates Installed for the Protection of Pillars Against Weathering
Photo by Kalus Schmidt
“I expect to pass through life but once. If therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being,
let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again.” ~William Penn