The flow of ideas: shared symbolism during the Neolithic emergence in Southwest Asia: WF16 and Göbekli Tepe

Archaeological evidence from WF16 in southern Jordan and Göbekli Tepe in northern Turkey reveals shared symbolism and ideological connections spanning hundreds of kilometers during the Late Epipalaeolithic to Early Neolithic periods. This suggests expansive social networks in Southwest Asia that facilitated the emergence of farming, despite geographical distance. The study analyzed material culture, architecture, and food production practices to trace how ideas and objects flowed between these regions, highlighting the role of symbolic exchange in cultural transformation during this pivotal period.

Mithen, S., Richardson, A., & Finlayson, B. (2023). The flow of ideas: shared symbolism during the Neolithic emergence in Southwest Asia: WF16 and Göbekli Tepe. Antiquity, 97(394), 829–849. https://doi.org/10.15184/aqy.2023.67