In 1963, an
old Turkish farmer in Sanliurfa found accidentally a precisely carved stone in
his farm and took it away to Sanliurfa Museum but he had no idea which
consequences he would cause. After a process of research and excavation, today
some parts of Gobekli Tepe Temple have been unveiled. Its history traces back
to 10th Millennium BC which means that it’s 12 thousand years old. That makes
Gobekli Tepe the oldest human-made temple in the world. Plan of the temple is
similar to the Stonehenge. However, not only its immense dimensions but the
side-by-side existence of multiple pillar shrines makes the location unique.
Today the temple is acknowledged worlwide as the biggest antique temple in the
world.
Hypotheses
about it are unlimited and the most logical one seems as the one of an
excavator Klaus Schmidt as is: “First came the temple, then the city.”
Hunter-gatherer or a settled commu- nity, whoever built this temple must have
had a great sense of art and skill. Animal or floral carv- ings and their
plastic values are very significant. However, their belief system is not very
clear yet. Shamanism seems the most logical system considering ornaments in it
but there is no evidence about it. Pictograms are unreadable and the meanings
of animal reliefs are unknown. Deers, insects, spiders and wolfs... They keep
their silence for centuries; excavation may bring us closer to their meaning or
take us thousands mile away... The only truth is that the biggest antique
sanctuary Gobekli Tepe has more to show and each day we will learn more of it.
We are certain you will also discover your own truths about this old spiritual
place by visiting and feeling it...
Note from
Matiana Travel Advisors:
Göbekli
Tepe is the most attractive destination of Matiana Travel’s archaeology and
history of religions themed tours. If you like to visit mystical places where
the people chased the higher beings & holy energies, we invite you to
contact our travel advisors for more information and guidance.
