The gate of the year

Göbekli Tepe is an archaeological site discovered in present Turkey, at the border with Syria, dating back to the early Neolithic of late Mesolithic (about 11,500 years B.P.). The excavations have brought to light a monumental sanctuary, built on an artificial mound and delimited by stone walls. Four circular enclosures made by huge stone pillars have been discovered within the site, each pillar weighing more than 15 tons. Most of the steles bear engravings and sculptures portraying various animals. The monument, the earliest stone temple in history, has produced a revolution in the conceptions regarding the so-called “Neolithic revolution”. In this case, indeed, the building of a monumental ceremonial centre has preceded and perhaps fostered the introduction of agriculture and the establishment of permanent settlements (Schmidt 2007).

[Image: http://www.nationalgeographic.com.es/articulo/historia/secciones/7363/gobekli_tepe_primer_templo_historia.html]




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Göbekli Tepe is an archaeological site discovered in present Turkey, at the border with Syria, dating back to the early Neolithic of late Mesolithic (about 11,500 years B.P.). The excavations have brought to light a monumental sanctuary, built on an artificial mound and delimited by stone walls. Four circular enclosures made by huge stone pillars have been discovered within the site, each pillar weighing more than 15 tons. Most of the steles bear engravings and sculptures portraying various animals. The monument, the earliest stone temple in history, has produced a revolution in the conceptions regarding the so-called “Neolithic revolution”. In this case, indeed, the building of a monumental ceremonial centre has preceded and perhaps fostered the introduction of agriculture and the establishment of permanent settlements (Schmidt 2007). [Image: http://www.nationalgeographic.com.es/articulo/historia/secciones/7363/gobekli_tepe_primer_templo_historia.html]