Located in southeastern Turkey, Göbekli Tepe is a Neolithic archaeological site that has revolutionized our understanding of prehistoric human societies. Dating back to around 9500 BCE, this monumental complex features large circular structures with massive stone pillars, some weighing up to 11 tons12. The site's architecture and intricate carvings, including anthropomorphic details and animal reliefs, provide rare insights into prehistoric religion and iconography2. Initially interpreted as a sanctuary used by nomadic hunter-gatherers, recent findings suggest Göbekli Tepe may have been a settlement with domestic structures, water supply installations, and tools associated with everyday use2. As of 2021, less than 5% of the site had been excavated, leaving much to be discovered about this enigmatic ancient complex2.

V-shaped symbols carved on stone pillars at Göbekli Tepe likely represent a sophisticated solar calendar of 365 days, consisting of 12 lunar months plus 11 extra days1. This ancient timekeeping system, potentially the world's oldest known solar calendar, predates other lunisolar calendars by millennia1. The summer solstice appears as a special day, depicted by a V-shaped marking worn around the neck of a bird-like creature thought to represent the summer solstice constellation of that era1. This discovery suggests that the inhabitants of Göbekli Tepe possessed advanced astronomical knowledge and the ability to track celestial events with remarkable precision, challenging previous assumptions about the capabilities of prehistoric societies.

The carvings at Göbekli Tepe are believed to record a devastating comet strike that occurred around 10,850 BC, triggering a mini ice age lasting over 1,200 years1. This cosmic event had far-reaching consequences, including:

• Extinction of many large animal species

• Prompting significant changes in human lifestyle and agricultural practices

• Potentially catalyzing the birth of civilization in the Fertile Crescent region

The ancient inhabitants of Göbekli Tepe may have created these intricate carvings as a memorial to this cataclysmic event, demonstrating their keen observational skills and the profound impact the comet strike had on their society12.

The discovery of Göbekli Tepe has ignited a heated debate among archaeologists and historians about the origins of human civilization. This ancient site challenges long-held assumptions about the development of complex societies and the role of religion in early human communities.

Traditionally, scholars believed that the emergence of agriculture led to sedentary lifestyles, which in turn gave rise to organized religion and monumental architecture. However, Göbekli Tepe's existence suggests a different sequence of events. The site predates the advent of agriculture in the region by at least 500 years, indicating that complex religious practices and the ability to construct large-scale monuments may have preceded farming1.

This revelation has led to two predominant theories regarding Göbekli Tepe's creation:

1. Hunter-Gatherer Capability: Some researchers argue that hunter-gatherer societies were capable of creating such monumental structures without the need for a settled agricultural lifestyle. They suggest that these nomadic groups had sufficient free time and resources to engage in complex astronomical observations and artistic endeavors2.

2. Advanced Civilization Requirement: Others contend that the sophistication of Göbekli Tepe's architecture and artwork necessitates the existence of a more settled, organized society. This view posits that the knowledge and skills required to build such structures would have developed over many generations, implying a level of social complexity previously unrecognized for this period2.

The site's excavator, Klaus Schmidt, initially interpreted Göbekli Tepe as a sanctuary used by groups of nomadic hunter-gatherers from a wide area. However, recent findings have led current excavators to view it as a settlement, based on the discovery of domestic structures, water supply installations, and tools associated with everyday use3.

The debate extends to the purpose of the site itself. While Schmidt described the circular enclosures as the "world's first temples," this interpretation has been questioned. Recent stratigraphic studies have revealed that the structures were filled by natural slope slide events rather than intentional ritual backfilling, as previously thought3.

Göbekli Tepe's influence on the development of agriculture is also a point of contention. Some researchers suggest that the need to feed the large workforce required to build and maintain the site may have spurred the transition to farming. Archaeozoologist Joris Peters has identified tens of thousands of animal bones at the site, predominantly from wild game, indicating that the builders were still primarily hunter-gatherers4.

The complexity of Göbekli Tepe's artwork, including three-dimensional stone carvings representing constellations, implies a sophisticated understanding of astronomy and artistic techniques. This level of knowledge suggests a long period of cultural development, possibly spanning thousands of years2.

As excavations continue and new evidence emerges, the debate over Göbekli Tepe's role in the dawn of civilization remains active. The site's existence challenges researchers to reconsider the timeline and drivers of human social evolution, potentially rewriting our understanding of how complex societies first emerged.