The Ancients Göbekli Tepe: The First Temple?
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Mar 6, 2025 Dr. Lee Clare, a leading expert and coordinator of the Göbekli Tepe Research Project, shares insights into this ancient Neolithic site in Turkey. He discusses its groundbreaking role as the world’s oldest known temple, revealing complex ritual practices and architectural wonders. The conversation highlights the transition from hunter-gatherer societies to settled life and the site's significance in early organized religion. Clare emphasizes fascinating burial rituals and the advanced construction techniques that mark Göbekli Tepe as a pivotal site in human history.
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Special Buildings
- Göbekli Tepe's special buildings are round/oval, 10-20 meters in diameter, with T-shaped pillars.
- These pillars, some up to six meters tall, were carved from local limestone and possibly roofed.
Building Use
- Analysis of mortar reveals the buildings were in use for hundreds of years, showing different building phases.
- T-pillars were moved, carvings altered, indicating constant change rather than a fixed plan.
Animal Art
- Animal depictions at Göbekli Tepe focus on powerful creatures like leopards and wild boar, not primary food sources like gazelle.
- These represent narratives and stories, marking the first petrified oral traditions.