The Discovery that would Flip Archaeology on its Head

How Gobekli Tepe changed everything we thought we knew about pre-agricultural humanity

Abandoned for over 10,000 years, the site of Gobekli Tepe lay dormant, only to be rediscovered by chance by German archaeologist, Klaus Schmidt. This Pre-Pottery Neolithic site had been reduced to nothing but a hill, locally known by the shepherds of eastern Anatolia. Little did anyone know, this discovery would flip history and archaeology on its head.

Gobekli What?

Yes, you read that right, Gobekli Tepe (pronounced Go-beck-lee Teh-pay). So I know what you’re asking, what’s so important about this place anyway? First, we must look at what and how Gobekli Tepe came to be.

As mentioned before, the site is dated back to the Pre-Pottery Neolithic, roughly between 9,500 and 8,000 BCE. For context that’s over twice as old as Stone Henge and the Pyramids of Giza. The site is primarily known for its megalithic structures, including columns with intricate carvings of animals, far surpassing any previous expectations on the abilities of Neolithic hunter-gatherers.