Publications
Shamanism at Early Neolithic Göbekli Tepe, southeastern Turkey. Methodological contributions to an archaeology of belief
A new methodological framework for identifying shamanism in the archaeological record emerges from Göbekli Tepe, one of the most studied Early Neolithic sites (9600–7000 BCE) in southeastern Turkey. The study challenges the use of a universal 'one-size-fits-all' approach to interpreting early belief systems by analyzing iconographical evidence with cultural context. It argues for a more nuanced understanding of shamanism, avoiding oversimplified explanations while acknowledging its potential presence in Early Neolithic societies. The research contributes to broader debates on the archaeology of belief, emphasizing the need for rigorous contextual analysis when applying anthropological concepts like shamanism to ancient sites.
Geometry and Architectural Planning at Göbekli Tepe, Turkey
A new geometric analysis of Göbekli Tepe’s monumental enclosures reveals that three large stone structures were likely planned and built as part of a single, cohesive project. This challenges previous assumptions about the site's construction phases and suggests a high level of architectural sophistication among its Neolithic builders. The study employed formal architectural analysis to reconstruct design processes, offering insights into the 'chaîne opératoire'—the sequence of operations involved in construction—and providing a fresh perspective on the site's history and symbolism.
On prehistoric psychology: Reflections at the invitation of Göbekli Tepe.
Göbekli Tepe challenges the conventional narrative of psychological history by highlighting the profound sociocognitive transformations that occurred during the Neolithic Revolution, long before the advent of writing or organized religion. This study argues that the transition from egalitarian hunter-gatherer bands to stratified societies—key to understanding human civilization—has been overlooked in both evolutionary psychology and historical accounts. By centering on this prehistoric site, it invites a reconsideration of where the history of psychology should begin, emphasizing the need to integrate these ancient developments into the discipline's framework.
Cereal processing at Early Neolithic Göbekli Tepe, southeastern Turkey
New evidence from Göbekli Tepe reveals that cereal processing played a significant role at the site during the Early Neolithic period (10th/9th millennium BC). Analysis of starch residues and other microfossils indicates that cereals were not only consumed but also processed in ways that suggest their importance in social or ritual contexts, challenging previous assumptions about the site's primary functions. The study employed multi-proxy analysis, including microscopic examination and chemical characterization, to identify cereal types and processing techniques used by its inhabitants. This finding sheds light on the complex subsistence strategies and cultural practices of one of humanity's oldest known monumental sites.
Göbekli Tepe: A Brief Description of the Environmental Development in the Surroundings of the UNESCO World Heritage Site
Göbekli Tepe experienced significantly different environmental conditions during its occupation compared to today. Research indicates that the site was surrounded by denser vegetation and widespread sediment cover, contrasting with the current arid landscape. The study employed literature review, remote sensing data, terrain modeling, and field-based geomorphological mapping to analyze Late Quaternary geomorphodynamics in the Eastern Mediterranean region. These findings suggest that humans at Göbekli Tepe may have perceived a lush, sediment-rich environment, which could inform narratives about their landscape creation motives. The research also proposes hypotheses for future studies on environmental changes during the Late Pleistocene and Holocene.
Rituals and Feasting as Incentives for Cooperative Action at Early Neolithic Göbekli Tepe
Ritualized feasting, including the consumption of beer-like beverages, played a crucial role in fostering social cohesion and cooperation among early Neolithic communities at Göbekli Tepe. This 10th to 9th millennium BC site in southeastern Anatolia features monumental circular buildings with richly decorated limestone pillars, constructed by small-scale groups. Archaeological evidence, such as animal motif imagery distributed across a 200 km radius, large quantities of bones, and cooking equipment, suggests that these rituals brought together people from distant regions to work collaboratively on the site's construction. The study proposes that altered states of consciousness during rituals further enhanced intragroup cohesion, providing insights into the mechanisms that enabled complex social organization in early human societies.
Decoding Göbekli Tepe With Archaeoastronomy: What Does The Fox Say?
Archaeoastronomical analysis of Göbekli Tepe reveals that the 'Vulture Stone' may serve as a date stamp for 10950 BC ± 250 years, aligning closely with the proposed Younger Dryas event (10890 BC). The study matches low-relief carvings on pillars to star asterisms and meteor showers, suggesting Göbekli Tepe functioned as an observatory for tracking cometary encounters, particularly the Taurid meteor stream. This finding proposes a direct link between Göbekli Tepe and the Younger Dryas event, potentially supporting the theory of coherent catastrophism.
Hungry architecture: spaces of consumption and predation at Göbekli Tepe
Göbekli Tepe's architecture reflects a relational, predatory worldview rooted in consumption and co-production. This study challenges Western ontological frameworks by integrating indigenous theories and anthropology to reinterpret the site's socio-cosmic dynamics. Through iconography, human and animal remains, and architectural analysis, it reveals that Pre-Pottery Neolithic societies engaged with material and non-human entities as agential forces, fundamentally shaping their social realities.
Modified human crania from Göbekli Tepe provide evidence for a new form of Neolithic skull cult
Archaeological evidence from Göbekli Tepe, dating back approximately 11,000 years, reveals a previously undocumented form of Neolithic skull cult. Carved and drilled human crania fragments, discovered at the ritual site, suggest sophisticated practices involving skull modification, distinct from known Neolithic traditions. The study, conducted by Gresky et al., employed detailed analysis of these artifacts to uncover their significance within the broader context of Pre-Pottery Neolithic cultures in southeastern Anatolia. This discovery challenges existing narratives about early human rituals and social structures, hinting at complex symbolic behaviors during a pivotal period in human history.
Places of Encounter: Relational Ontologies, Animal Depiction and Ritual Performance at Göbekli Tepe
Göbekli Tepe, a Pre-Pottery Neolithic site in Turkey, offers new insights into prehistoric ontologies and symbolic systems through its rich iconography. Contrary to previous interpretations that emphasized male-centric violence, this study proposes that the curvilinear enclosures served as places of encounter for human and non-human agents, facilitated by images acting as intermediaries. The research leverages the framework of relational ontologies and analyzes stylistic and contextual aspects, such as cues of motion and three-dimensionality in animal depictions, to argue for a dynamic convergence of beings within these social spaces. This reinterpretation challenges traditional views and advances our understanding of ritual performance and symbolic representation in prehistoric societies.
Gathering of the Dead? The Early Neolithic Sanctuaries of Göbekli Tepe, Southeastern Turkey
Göbekli Tepe, a prehistoric site in southeastern Turkey, challenges traditional narratives of Neolithic society by revealing sophisticated ritual practices linked to death and immortality. The study suggests that the site's sanctuaries were not merely places of burial but served as gathering points for communal rituals, possibly marking transitions between life and death. Researchers analyzed architectural features, artifact distributions, and symbolic representations to propose that these structures functioned as early Neolithic sanctuaries, predating the emergence of settled agricultural communities. The findings imply a complex social order with elaborate mortuary practices, reshaping our understanding of the transition from hunter-gatherer lifestyles to more structured societies.
Gazelle behaviour and human presence at early Neolithic Göbekli Tepe, south-east Anatolia
Research at Göbekli Tepe reveals that Persian gazelles exhibited migratory behavior during the early Neolithic period, with seasonal presence aligning with human activities such as feasting and rituals. Stable isotope analysis of carbon, oxygen, and strontium in gazelle teeth and bones, combined with zooarchaeological data, suggests that high game density in the southern Anti-Taurus piedmont coincided with human gatherings at this significant ritual center. This finding provides insights into the ecological and behavioral dynamics of gazelles during a pivotal period in human cultural history, offering a unique perspective on the interplay between early human societies and their environment.
Göbekli Tepe: A Neolithic Site in Southeastern Anatolia
Göbekli Tepe, a partially excavated Neolithic site in southeastern Anatolia, offers groundbreaking insights into the transition from hunter-gatherer lifestyles to early agriculture and animal husbandry during the Pleistocene to Holocene shift. Its monumental architecture, characterized by T-shaped pillars arranged in circular or oval enclosures with central pairs, suggests anthropomorphic representations, challenging traditional narratives of pre-agricultural societies. The site's diverse artistic repertoire—ranging from small figurines to intricately decorated megaliths—further underscores its significance as a cultural and symbolic precursor to later Neolithic developments. Excavations reveal that Göbekli Tepe predates the advent of agriculture, implying complex social structures and ritual practices far earlier than previously assumed.
The role of cult and feasting in the emergence of Neolithic communities. New evidence from Göbekli Tepe, south-eastern Turkey
Göbekli Tepe, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most significant archaeological discoveries, challenges the conventional timeline for the emergence of monumental architecture by predating the advent of agriculture. New evidence suggests that hunter-gatherer communities congregated at this site during the dawn of the Neolithic era, engaging in social and ideological cohesion through the carving of decorated pillars, communal feasting, and likely the consumption of fermented beverages such as beer. This research, based on ongoing excavations, offers a fresh perspective on the role of cultic practices and large-scale gatherings in shaping early human societies, providing insight into the cultural and ritualistic behaviors that may have laid the groundwork for complex Neolithic communities.
Göbekli Tepe – the Stone Age Sanctuaries. New results of ongoing excavations with a special focus on sculptures and high reliefs
New archaeological discoveries at Göbekli Tepe challenge long-held assumptions about the Neolithic Revolution, suggesting that complex stone sanctuaries predated agriculture. Excavations reveal sophisticated sculptures and high-relief carvings dating to 10th–8th millennium BC, indicating advanced societal organization before farming. This contradicts the notion that agriculture drove early societal development, proposing instead that ritual or ceremonial structures may have played a pivotal role in transitioning from hunting-gathering to settled societies.
You are here:
World Heritage Explorer > World Heritage Research > World Heritage Sites > Göbekli Tepe