Gobeklitepe is the oldest known building in the world (Image: Getty)
Deep in the southeastern region of , hidden beneath layers of history, lies a structure that rewrites everything we thought we knew about early civilization.
, a Neolithic archaeological site dating back to 9000 BC, is the oldest known human-made structure still standing today.
That makes it twice as old as Stonehenge and pre-dates the invention of the wheel, writing, and even agriculture.
Discovered in the 1960s but only truly studied in the 1990s, this prehistoric marvel has left historians and archaeologists astounded.
The site, which has been recognised as a , consists of enormous T-shaped limestone pillars arranged in circular formations.
The carvings on the stones depict animals (Image: Getty)
Some of these stones weigh up to 50 tons, raising the question of how ancient humans, without metal tools or domesticated animals, built such a complex site.
Unlike later historical sites that served as settlements, Gobeklitepe appears to have been purely a religious or ceremonial site, built by hunter-gatherers long before permanent villages existed.
The carvings on the stones, depicting animals like lions, snakes, scorpions, and vultures, suggest that this place was deeply spiritual, possibly a gathering place for rituals or an early form of worship.
Its discovery challenges long-held beliefs about when and how civilization began.
The fact that hunter-gatherers built such an advanced structure long before the rise of farming suggests that complex societies may have developed earlier than previously thought.
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Today, visitors can walk among the massive pillars (Image: Getty)
Despite its immense age, Gobeklitepe has survived the test of time remarkably well. Its survival is partly due to its intentional burial by the people who built it.
Archaeologists believe that, at some point, ancient builders covered the site with earth, preserving it for thousands of years. Some even theorize that this burial was part of a ritual rather than an act of abandonment.
Today, visitors can walk among the massive pillars, experiencing the awe of standing in a place that has seen the rise and fall of countless civilizations.
Though its true purpose remains a mystery, Gobeklitepe stands as a testament to the ingenuity of ancient ancestors.
For those fascinated by history, Gobeklitepe is a must-visit destination. Located near the modern Turkish city of Şanlıurfa, the site offers a glimpse into a world that existed long before written records.