Presentation of the structures and stone carvings at Göbekli Tepe

Göbekli Tepe is an extraordinary archaeological site featuring various structures and intricate stone carvings. The site is organized into several layers, with multiple circular and oval-shaped enclosures built on top of one another over time. These enclosures are made up of T-shaped limestone pillars, which are arranged in concentric circles.

1. Structures: The main structures at Göbekli Tepe are the circular and oval-shaped enclosures, which have been labeled as Enclosures A to D. These enclosures vary in size, with the largest measuring up to 20 meters in diameter. The T-shaped pillars within each enclosure are connected by stone walls, creating an enclosed space with entrances at specific points. Each enclosure has two larger central pillars that are taller and more elaborately decorated than the surrounding pillars. These central pillars seem to have a more significant function within the enclosures, possibly serving as focal points for rituals or ceremonies.
2. T-shaped Pillars: The most striking features of Göbekli Tepe are the T-shaped limestone pillars, which range in height from 3 to 6 meters and weigh up to 20 tons. The tops of the pillars are shaped like a capital “T,” which some researchers believe may represent stylized human figures, with the horizontal bar symbolizing arms or shoulders and the vertical bar representing the body. Many of the pillars feature intricate carvings of animals and abstract symbols.
3. Stone Carvings: The stone carvings at Göbekli Tepe depict various animals, including foxes, bulls, lions, snakes, birds, and scorpions, as well as abstract symbols and geometric patterns. These carvings are executed in bas-relief, a technique in which the images are slightly raised from the background surface. The diversity and sophistication of the carvings suggest a rich symbolic system and a shared artistic language among the people who built Göbekli Tepe.
4. Floors and Hearths: The floors of the enclosures at Göbekli Tepe are made of polished lime-plaster, while some are composed of terrazzo, a type of concrete made from crushed limestone. These floors were meticulously constructed and leveled, demonstrating the builders’ expertise in working with different materials. In addition, several enclosures have stone hearths or fire pits, which may have been used for ritual purposes or for heating the space during ceremonies.
5. Burials and Refilling: Interestingly, Göbekli Tepe’s enclosures appear to have been intentionally buried or backfilled after a certain period of use. This process involved the deliberate deposition of soil, debris, and stone tools within the enclosures, possibly as part of a decommissioning ritual or to preserve the site for future generations. Some researchers believe that the refilling process may have been a way to ritually “renew” the site or to mark the end of a particular phase in its use.

The structures and stone carvings at Göbekli Tepe represent a remarkable achievement in prehistoric architecture and art, offering valuable insights into the religious beliefs and ritual practices of early human societies during the Neolithic period.