Introducing Göbekli Tepe to Psychology

Göbekli Tepe, a prehistoric site in southeastern Turkey, challenges the conventional narrative of human development by suggesting that complex social and psychological changes—such as religion, storytelling, and proto-writing—preceded rather than followed the Neolithic Revolution. Unlike traditional models that posit agriculture and permanent settlements as prerequisites for societal advancements, evidence from Göbekli Tepe indicates that these developments may have been driven by cognitive and social shifts. The site's intricate carvings and structures hint at early forms of narrative expression, offering a new lens through which to understand the origins of human civilization. This study bridges archaeology and psychology, highlighting how storytelling and symbolic behavior could have catalyzed the transition from nomadic lifestyles to settled communities.

Henley, T. B. (2018). Introducing Göbekli Tepe to Psychology. Review of General Psychology, 22(4), 477–484. https://doi.org/10.1037/gpr0000151