Considered the world’s oldest known temple complex, Göbeklitepe dates back to the 10th millennium BCE—predating Stonehenge by 6,000 years and the Egyptian pyramids by 7,000.

The site features massive T-shaped limestone pillars arranged in circular and oval enclosures, many intricately carved with reliefs of animals such as snakes, foxes, boars, and vultures.

These carvings are not merely decorative but likely held symbolic or spiritual meaning, hinting at complex belief systems in a society that had not yet developed settled agriculture.

The discovery of Göbeklitepe has dramatically reshaped our understanding of early human civilization, suggesting that religious structures may have preceded and even catalyzed the development of organized farming and settlement.

Perched on a barren hilltop overlooking the plains of southeastern Turkey, the site emanates an otherworldly, almost sacred atmosphere that continues to stir profound wonder and fascination among scholars and visitors alike.