What is Goebekli Tepe | Klaus Schmidt | TEDxPrague

Summary

The transcript details the groundbreaking archaeological project at Göbekli Tepe in southeastern Turkey, dating back to the 10th and 9th millennium BC. This site, older than any other in the region, provides crucial insights into the transition from hunter-gatherer societies to early farming communities. The unique T-shaped pillars and monumental art suggest a complex cultist community and a significant chapter in human history. The project, a collaboration between German and Turkish institutions, has been transformative for our understanding of early civilization development.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The project at Göbekli Tepe in southeastern Turkey is considered one of the most important archaeological projects of recent years, revealing insights into the transition from hunter-gatherer societies to farming societies.
• 🏺 Göbekli Tepe, meaning 'mound with a belly', is an artificial mound made of limestone and is not a natural formation, but rather a testament to ancient human construction.
• 🏛 The site dates back to the 10th and 9th millennium BC, post-Ice Age, and features monumental structures that were built by humans at a time when the rest of the world was still in the hunter-gatherer phase.
• 🔍 The German Archaeological Institute leads the project in collaboration with local authorities and universities, focusing on conservation, restoration, and scientific research, funded primarily by the German Research Foundation.
• 🗺 The site is part of a 'Golden Triangle' within the Fertile Crescent of the Near East, a region critical to the development of early agrarian civilizations and the domestication of plants and animals.
• 🏞️ Göbekli Tepe is unique for its monumental architecture, including T-shaped pillars that are believed to represent stylized human forms, marking a significant shift in artistic and cultural expression.
• 🐏 The domestication of different animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs occurred in various parts of the Near East, contributing to the Neolithic 'package' that enabled farming societies to thrive.
• 🎨 The site features large-scale sculptures and a rich narrative art that challenges our understanding of prehistoric culture and the beginnings of storytelling and mythological representation.
• 🔮 The T-shapes at Göbekli Tepe are unique and have no direct predecessors or successors, suggesting a specific cultural phenomenon that was significant during the site's period of use.
• 🍲 The construction of Göbekli Tepe's monumental structures likely involved large communal feasts, suggesting social and ritual practices that brought people together for cooperative work.

Q & A

What does Göbekli Tepe mean and where is it located?

Göbekli Tepe means 'mound with belly' and it is located in southeastern Turkey on a natural limestone plateau.

Who is responsible for the Göbekli Tepe project?

The project is conducted by the German Archeological Institute in close cooperation with local authorities, including the General Directorate for Antiquities in Ankara, and the University of Sanliurfa, the Harran University, and other institutions.

How long has the Göbekli Tepe project been ongoing?

The project has been ongoing for 20 years and is expected to continue for many more years.

What is unique about the age of Göbekli Tepe?

Göbekli Tepe is unique because it dates back to the 10th and 9th millennium BC, making it much older than other similar sites and dating it to just after the Ice Age.

How does Göbekli Tepe relate to the history of human civilization?

Göbekli Tepe adds an important chapter to the history of humanity by showcasing the transition from hunter-gatherer societies to farming and food-producing societies, which is a form of subsistence our agrarian societies are still based on.

What is the significance of the T-shaped pillars found at Göbekli Tepe?

The T-shaped pillars are stylized representations of humans and are unique in history, not found before or after Göbekli Tepe's time. They signify a shift where human forms are depicted as superior to animals, indicating the beginning of human dominance and the domestication process.

What role does Göbekli Tepe play in the Fertile Crescent?

Göbekli Tepe is situated within a 'Golden Triangle' in the Fertile Crescent, an area with the most favorable conditions for early agrarian civilizations, and it plays a significant role in the development of early farming practices.

What evidence is there of early domestication at Göbekli Tepe?

Zoologists have identified early domestication of cattle on the Syrian Euphrates, sheep on the Turkish Euphrates, goats in the Taurus Mountains, and pigs in the Tigris basin from the archaeofauna found at Göbekli Tepe and other sites.

How were the large monoliths at Göbekli Tepe moved and erected?

While there is experimental archaeology on moving monoliths, there are also authentic photos from Indonesia showing similar megalith movement techniques, suggesting that similar methods were used at Göbekli Tepe.

Why was Göbekli Tepe abandoned and what happened to its culture?

The reasons for Göbekli Tepe's abandonment are unknown, but it is speculated that large feasting events may have been used to gather people for the construction of the monumental architecture. The culture and practices at Göbekli Tepe were eventually incorporated into the broader Neolithic package, which spread throughout Europe.

What is the current status of research at Göbekli Tepe?

Research at Göbekli Tepe is ongoing, with the aim to continue for many years to answer open questions about the transition from hunter-gatherers to farmers and the impact on world history.