Gobekli Tepe (Belly Hill,rough translation) "There's more time between Gobekli Tepe and the Sumerian clay tablets [etched in 3300 BC] than from Sumer to today," Megalithic culture has always held a deep fascination for me, and I am amazed that this complex in Turkey has not recieved more attention. Constructed in 9,000 BC it is the oldest temple we know of, it pre-dates the pyramids and stonehenge by 7,000 years! it was first discovered by a farmer ploughing his fields in 1994. work still continues on the site under the supervision of German Archaeologist Klaus Scmidt,who has uncovered many amazing artifacts.For me the most astonishing thing about it is how closely it's construction and some of the carvings resemble the megalithic sites of the Boyne valley in Ireland (circa 5,000 B.C)Did the same culture migrate to Ireland? Who knows...One interesting fact is that around 8,000 BC the whole complex was covered over with earth, on purpose and with great effort. The carvings of animal totems are also unusual in the choice of foxes,scorpions,etc. There are also life size statues. There are some good articles and blogs out there,well worth checking out if you have the time. Youtube have 2 short videos (in German) I have made the slideshow below in order to share this wonder with you, it starts with a computer generated image of how it looked after ...
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