Gobekli Tepe Turkey – The Oldest Temple of Humanity!
Hi everyone! We continue our blog series with a very very interesting one! It is going to be; Gobekli Tepe Turkey – The Oldest Temple of Humanity!
This post will take you on a journey in the depths of history by providing you the details of the Gobekli Tepe Site in Turkey. As we have mentioned in almost every post, Anatolia/Turkey’s land has a very rich cultural structure. The main reason for this is that it has hosted countless civilizations for thousands of years.
With archaeological sites dating back to neolithic times like Gobeklitepe in Sanliurfa, mystic ancient settlements like Hattusa whose secrets still continue to be discovered, and world-wide famous ancient ruins like Ephesus, Pergamon, and Cappadocia that shows examples from Ancient Greek and Roman Empire life; Turkey welcomes its visitors to come and uncover the mysteries of its past.
Where is Göbekli Tepe Why it is Important?
Turkey Göbeklitepe was included in the Unesco World Heritage list in 2018. It is located in Sanliurfa city, in Eastern Turkey. It is believed that the first prophet of the three great monotheistic religions, Prophet Abraham, was born here 4000 years ago. These fertile lands located between Tigris and Euphrates rivers are as old as human history.
The Anatolian lands, which host countless civilizations, are 7 thousand years older than the Egyptian pyramids and 6 thousand years older than the Stonehedge in England. Turkey Temple Göbeklitepe, which changed all known human history with its 11,500 years of history, took the title of the oldest temple in the world from Stone Edge.
Göbeklitepe, which has made a great impact since its discovery, has rewritten the entire history of humanity. The excavations have revealed that the known history of religion and the transition to settled life should be reevaluated. What we think about the evolution of humanity until today; agriculture enabled us to settle down, develop religious teachings, and build temples. It was that small settlements formed cities, and cities formed powerful civilizations. Society, who does not waste time collecting anymore, has had more time to think, and this has accelerated evolution. But after the discovery of Göbeklitepe, the cultural evolution of history has changed completely.
Unearthing Göbeklitepe Turkey!
Göbeklitepe, first excavated by the renowned German archaeologist Klaus Schmidt between 1995 and 2014, is considered the world’s oldest known temple. Covering an estimated 90,000 square meters—roughly the size of 90 football fields—the site has revealed astonishing insights into prehistoric civilization.
During his initial excavations, Schmidt and his team uncovered a series of relief-covered stone columns, each weighing around 11 tons and standing up to 3 meters high. At the center of the site, two enormous T-shaped obelisks were discovered, 5.5 meters tall and weighing 16 tons each. Animal reliefs carved into the columns are thought to act as guardians, while the giant T-shaped obelisks are believed to represent humans.
Viewed in profile, the T-shaped pillars depict the head and body, with arms and hands etched on the sides, and a fox-skin belt around the waist. Interestingly, faces were not depicted, suggesting a symbolic or humorous representation. This has led some researchers to propose that these pillars could represent the first gods in human history.
Studies indicate that the stones were transported from kilometers away, shaped using granite tools, and then moved onto the hill. Surprisingly, it would have taken only about 50 men to lift and erect each massive column—a remarkable feat for prehistoric humans.
The Religious in Göbekli Temple and Rituals!
The construction of Göbeklitepe required remarkable organization and workforce, especially considering it was built 12,000 years ago during the Stone Age. At that time, people had discovered fire, but wheels had not yet been invented and animals were not domesticated, making the temple’s construction even more extraordinary.
Excavations at Göbeklitepe have uncovered numerous animal bones, including gazelle, wild sheep, and wild boar. The presence of wild animal remains indicates that these people were hunter-gatherers, not farmers, relying on foraging and hunting. Those who contributed to building the temple shared resources with their immediate community, and over time, they extended cooperation to the wider society, fostering trust and moral rules.
To unite these diverse communities, ritual ceremonies were organized. Participation in these events demonstrated belonging and created social cohesion. Professional skills were shared, ethical standards were reinforced, and religious practices became a central aspect of daily life. Many of the animal bones found suggest that ceremonial feasts were conducted here. Over time, animals were domesticated and cultivated to provide food for these rituals, highlighting the profound influence of belief systems on societal development.
Some researchers even suggest that these religious and ritual practices at Göbeklitepe were key drivers in the transition from the Stone Age to settled societies, making faith and communal belief one of the earliest catalysts of human civilization.
Destruction of the Göbekli Tepe Temple!
The collapse of Göbekli Tepe, the world’s oldest known temple, remains as mysterious as the religion it once represented. For over 1,000 years, the site served as a central hub of belief, where cultures converged, ideas were exchanged, and rituals were performed. It was here that the foundations of the agricultural revolution—which would change the course of human history—were laid.
As human society transitioned to a new way of life, the temple itself underwent significant transformations. Around 1,500 years after its construction, Göbekli Tepe was gradually covered with soil, and smaller structures were built on top. Columns were reduced in size, sections were modified, and with each alteration, the temple lost features and importance, eventually forming the mound we see today.
Several factors contributed to this decline. Local communities began building smaller, more accessible shrines in their settlements instead of traveling long distances to the temple. Additionally, the next generation of hunter-gatherers turned to agriculture and adopted a different lifestyle, which may have led to less reverence for ancestral beliefs. In this sense, the temple’s destruction reflects a cultural revolution—a shift from nomadic traditions to settled, agrarian societies.
Similarities Between Göbeklitepe and Çatalhöyük
Although Göbekli Tepe was buried over 10,000 years ago, the belief systems established there continued to influence surrounding settlements. One notable example is the Ancient City of Çatalhöyük, located approximately 650 km from Şanlıurfa. With a history spanning around 9,000 years, Çatalhöyük was one of the earliest known settlements, with a population of about 8,000 people, primarily relying on farming as their main source of income.
Excavations at Çatalhöyük have revealed findings that echo the teachings of Göbekli Tepe. Depictions of wild animals such as wild bulls, boars, and leopards—dating back around 2,500 years—demonstrate how the beliefs and cultural practices of the hunter-gatherer society of Göbekli Tepe influenced neighboring communities.
For instance, the bullhead images on the walls of Çatalhöyük homes are striking. The bullhead, representing the prehistoric aurochs, symbolizes a divine power. Prehistoric aurochs could reach 2 meters in height with antlers spanning 3 meters, and taming or depicting them was a way for humans to demonstrate dominance over nature—a practice mirrored in modern traditions like bullfighting.
Similarly, the headless human figures found at Göbekli Tepe reflect beliefs in resurrection after death, a concept also seen in Çatalhöyük. Excavations there uncovered numerous headless body parts, as the dead were initially buried underground, after which the skulls were carefully removed and kept in homes or public spaces. These practices reveal a shared spiritual understanding and the continuity of beliefs from Göbekli Tepe to Çatalhöyük.
Why Visit to Göbeklitepe?
It is believed that the first Temple of the World.
It is believed to be a center of faith and pilgrimage during the Neolithic Period.
The first and earliest three-dimensional depictions carved into stone are found here.
According to scientists, the archaeological discovery of Göbeklitepe changed known human history.
It proves the existence of religious beliefs prior to the establishment of the first cities.
It is one of the Unesco World Heritage Site which was included to the list in 2018.
How to Go to Göbeklitepe?
Göbeklitepe archaeological site is located near to Örencik Village, 15 km away from Şanlıurfa, which is one of the most interesting cities in Turkey and famed as the city of prophets. There are scheduled flights from Istanbul, Izmir, and Ankara to Şanlıurfa city. Upon arrival to Şanlıurfa Airport, a taxi service can be taken to reach to Göbekli Temple. Also, there are Guided Tours from Istanbul to GöbekliTepe.
There are intercity busses to Şanlıurfa city from almost all around Turkey! In addition, some artifacts from the Göbeklitepe excavation area were placed in the Göbeklitepe Museum in the city center of Şanlıurfa. Do not forget to visit this museum while you are in Şanlıurfa!
Final Thoughts
Although this prehistoric temple has disappeared, the belief it represents has continued to shape civilizations and cultures for 12 thousand years. In terms of the meaning it represents, it has been a social bond that holds communities together. Most important is a giant springboard that is groundbreaking in our spiritual world.
Turkey has a larger and richer cultural structure you can imagine. There are hundreds of historical and cultural places that can be visited and seen. Continue reading our blog posts and benefiting from useful information to plan your Turkey Tours smoothly. If you ever need help with creating your itinerary or have questions, do not hesitate to contact our team! We also recommend you reading our post about Cappadocia which is the most popular destination of Turkey!
If you liked our posts, do not forget to share it with your friends!
CATEGORIES
