What is Goebekli Tepe | Klaus Schmidt | TEDxPrague

TEDx Talks
8 Jul 201417:06
EducationalLearning
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TLDRThe Göbekli Tepe archaeological site in southeastern Turkey, dating back to the 10th-9th millennium BC, offers crucial insights into the transition from hunter-gatherer societies to agriculture-based communities. This unique site, characterized by monumental T-shaped pillars and intricate sculptures, challenges our understanding of early human civilization. The project, led by the German Archaeological Institute and supported by various Turkish institutions, has been ongoing for 20 years and continues to uncover the mysteries of early agrarian development in the Near East, a region historically known as the Fertile Crescent.

Takeaways
  • 🗺️ Göbekli Tepe is an archaeological site in southeastern Turkey, significant for its unique and ancient structures dating back to the 10th and 9th millennium BC.
  • 🏛️ The site is not a settlement but a sanctuary or a series of sanctuaries, predating other known structures and settlements by thousands of years.
  • 🕰️ Göbekli Tepe's construction began around 9,600 BC, shortly after the rapid climate change that marked the end of the Ice Age.
  • 👥 The project is a collaborative effort involving the German Archaeological Institute, local authorities, and various universities, primarily focused on conservation and restoration.
  • 💰 Financing for the scientific work at Göbekli Tepe is mainly provided by the German Research Foundation, supporting this long-term archaeological endeavor.
  • 🏗️ The site features monumental architecture, including large T-shaped pillars believed to represent stylized humans, which are unique to Göbekli Tepe.
  • 🎨 The site also contains large-scale sculptures and art, challenging our understanding of early human artistic capabilities and narrative storytelling.
  • 🌾 Göbekli Tepe plays a crucial role in understanding the transition from hunter-gatherer societies to food-producing societies, a significant chapter in human history.
  • 🐏 The domestication of various animals, such as cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs, began in different regions of the Near East and contributed to the development of agrarian societies.
  • 📚 The site provides insights into early forms of symbolic representation and communication, possibly laying the groundwork for later developments in writing systems.
  • 🥳 The construction of Göbekli Tepe's monumental architecture likely involved large gatherings and feasting, which may have been a means to mobilize the workforce for such an ambitious project.
Q & A

  • What is Göbekli Tepe and why is it significant in archaeology?

    -Göbekli Tepe is a site in southeastern Turkey known as 'mound with belly' due to its shape and is significant because it contains some of the world's oldest known monumental architecture, dating back to the 10th and 9th millennium BC. It provides crucial insights into the transition from hunter-gatherer societies to agricultural societies.

  • Who is responsible for the excavation and research at Göbekli Tepe?

    -The excavation and research at Göbekli Tepe are carried out by the German Archaeological Institute in close cooperation with local authorities, including the General Directorate for Antiquities in Ankara and the University of Sanliurfa and Harran University, with financing mainly from the German Research Foundation.

  • How does Göbekli Tepe relate to the broader context of early agricultural societies?

    -Göbekli Tepe is situated within what is known as the Fertile Crescent, a region in the Near East where the transition from hunter-gatherer cultures to food-producing cultures happened independently. The site is part of the Golden Triangle within this region and plays a significant role in understanding early agricultural societies.

  • What is unique about the architecture found at Göbekli Tepe?

    -The architecture at Göbekli Tepe is unique due to its monumental T-shaped pillars arranged in circles or ovals. These structures are not found in the Paleolithic period before or after Göbekli Tepe's time, making them a distinctive feature of this site.

  • What does the T-shape of the pillars at Göbekli Tepe represent?

    -The T-shapes of the pillars at Göbekli Tepe represent stylized human forms, often with animals depicted as attributes, suggesting a connection with the phenomenon of domestication and the rise of human dominance over animals.

  • How does the site of Göbekli Tepe challenge our understanding of early human societies?

    -Göbekli Tepe challenges our understanding by showing that complex monumental architecture was built during the 10th-9th millennium BC, a time when people were thought to be hunter-gatherers and not capable of such large-scale construction projects.

  • What role did feasting play in the gatherings at Göbekli Tepe?

    -Feasting played a significant role in bringing people together at Göbekli Tepe. It is believed that large feasts were held to attract people to the site, providing the necessary workforce for the construction of the monumental architecture.

  • How did the early domestication of animals occur according to the findings at Göbekli Tepe?

    -According to the findings, early domestication of animals occurred independently in different regions: cattle on the Syrian Euphrates, sheep on the Turkish Euphrates, goats in the Taurus Mountains, and pigs in the Tigris basin. These domesticated species were then combined to form the Neolithic package.

  • What is the significance of Göbekli Tepe in understanding the development of writing?

    -Göbekli Tepe provides an early example of symbolic representation with its T-shaped pillars and animal depictions, which could be seen as a precursor to writing. However, there is a significant gap between these early symbols and the invention of true writing systems, such as Egyptian hieroglyphs.

  • What was the role of Göbekli Tepe in the development of early agrarian civilizations?

    -Göbekli Tepe was not a settlement but a sanctuary, and it played a crucial role in the development of early agrarian civilizations by being a central place for gatherings and possibly rituals, which could have facilitated the transition from hunter-gatherer societies to farming societies.

  • How does the archaeological work at Göbekli Tepe involve a collaborative effort?

    -The archaeological work at Göbekli Tepe is a collaborative effort involving local workers from nearby villages, students from Europe and Turkey, and specialists in various fields such as archaeofauna and botany, all working together to uncover and interpret the site's findings.

Outlines
00:00
🏺 Introduction to Göbekli Tepe

The speaker introduces Göbekli Tepe, an archaeological site in southeastern Turkey, which is considered one of the most significant projects in recent years. The site, meaning 'mound with belly,' is an artificial mound constructed from natural limestone. The project is a collaborative effort between the German Archaeological Institute and local authorities, focusing on conservation and restoration. Funded primarily by the German Research Foundation, the project is in its 20th year and aims to continue for many more. The site is unique due to its age, dating back to the 10th and 9th millennium BC, just after the Ice Age. This places it at a time when humans were transitioning from hunter-gatherers to an agrarian society, a significant development in human history.

05:03
🌏 The Global Context of Göbekli Tepe

The speaker expands on the importance of Göbekli Tepe by placing it within a global context. The map shown illustrates regions where the transition from hunter-gatherer to food-producing cultures occurred independently. The Near East, particularly the Fertile Crescent, is highlighted as the core area where this transition began around 9,000 BC. Göbekli Tepe is situated within a 'Golden Triangle' in this region, indicating its crucial role. Unlike other contemporary sites, which are settlements of settled hunter-gatherers, Göbekli Tepe is identified as a sanctuary, not a settlement. The speaker also discusses the process of domestication, mentioning the first domesticated animals and the beginning of the Neolithic period, characterized by the shift from wild to domesticated species.

10:06
🗿 Unique Monuments and Discoveries at Göbekli Tepe

This paragraph delves into the unique features and discoveries made at Göbekli Tepe. The site is known for its monumental architecture, particularly its T-shaped pillars, which are believed to represent stylized human figures. These pillars are adorned with animal depictions, suggesting a connection to the phenomenon of domestication and indicating a shift in societal structure. The speaker also mentions the presence of large-scale sculptures and composite monuments, which are unprecedented in art history. The site's findings challenge traditional interpretations and suggest the existence of a cultist community. The speaker also touches on the discontinuity between the symbolic representations at Göbekli Tepe and the later development of writing systems, highlighting the gap in understanding between these periods.

15:06
🍽 The Role of Feasting in Göbekli Tepe's Construction

The final paragraph discusses how the monumental architecture at Göbekli Tepe was constructed, suggesting that large feasts would have been necessary to gather the workforce required for such an undertaking. The speaker references experimental archaeology and historical photos from Indonesia to illustrate how large stones, similar to those at Göbekli Tepe, were moved. The paragraph concludes by emphasizing the collaborative nature of the archaeological work at the site, involving local workers, students, and specialists from various fields. The speaker expresses a desire to continue research to answer the many open questions about the transition from hunter-gatherers to farmers, a transformation that had a profound impact on world history.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Göbekli Tepe
Göbekli Tepe is an archaeological site in southeastern Turkey, known for its monumental structures dating back to the 10th and 9th millennium BC. It is significant because it predates other known settlements and is believed to be one of the earliest examples of human-made religious architecture. The term 'Göbekli Tepe' translates to 'mound with belly,' which refers to the artificial mound's shape. The site challenges our understanding of early human societies, suggesting a complex social structure and the capacity for large-scale construction at a time when most humans were thought to be hunter-gatherers.
💡Archaeology
Archaeology is the scientific study of human history and prehistory through the excavation of sites and the analysis of artifacts and other physical remains. In the context of the video, archaeology is used to uncover and understand the significance of Göbekli Tepe, revealing insights into early human societies, their religious practices, and the transition from hunter-gatherer to agricultural societies. The script discusses the collaborative nature of archaeological work at Göbekli Tepe, involving various institutions and experts.
💡Hunter-gatherers
Hunter-gatherers refer to the early human societies that subsisted primarily by hunting, fishing, and gathering wild plants. The script discusses the transition from hunter-gatherer societies to farming societies as a significant historical development. Göbekli Tepe provides evidence that this transition began around 9,600 BC, which is much earlier than previously thought. The site suggests that complex social structures and monumental architecture could have been developed by hunter-gatherers, challenging the traditional narrative of human development.
💡Neolithic
The Neolithic period, also known as the New Stone Age, marks the transition from hunter-gatherer societies to farming societies. It is characterized by the domestication of plants and animals, the development of agriculture, and the establishment of permanent settlements. In the video, Göbekli Tepe is described as belonging to the pre-pottery Neolithic culture, indicating a time before the invention of pottery but at the beginning of the Neolithic period, which is crucial for understanding the origins of agriculture and the domestication of animals.
💡Monumental architecture
Monumental architecture refers to large-scale, impressive buildings or structures, often with religious or ceremonial significance. The script describes the unique T-shaped pillars at Göbekli Tepe as a form of monumental architecture. These structures, along with the sculptures and enclosures found at the site, provide evidence of a sophisticated building tradition among early Neolithic people, indicating a level of social organization and cultural complexity previously unknown for that period.
💡Domestication
Domestication is the process by which humans have taken wild species and bred them over time for specific traits to make them more suitable for human use. In the context of the video, domestication is highlighted as a key development in the transition from hunter-gatherer to agricultural societies. The script mentions the early domestication of animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs, which played a crucial role in the establishment of farming societies.
💡Fertile Crescent
The Fertile Crescent is a region in the Middle East that spans from the Nile Valley to the Zagros Mountains, known for its fertile land and early development of agriculture. The script discusses the Fertile Crescent as the core area where the transition from hunter-gatherer cultures to food-producing cultures occurred independently. Göbekli Tepe is situated within what is now recognized as a 'Golden Triangle' within the Fertile Crescent, indicating its strategic importance in the development of early civilizations.
💡T-shapes
T-shapes, as mentioned in the script, refer to the unique T-shaped pillars found at Göbekli Tepe. These pillars are believed to represent stylized human figures and are often associated with animals, suggesting a connection to the phenomenon of domestication. The T-shapes are significant because they are unlike any other structures from the same period, indicating a distinctive cultural expression at Göbekli Tepe that has no known parallel elsewhere.
💡Sanctuary
A sanctuary refers to a sacred place, often associated with religious or spiritual activities. In the script, Göbekli Tepe is described as a sanctuary or a series of sanctuaries, rather than a settlement. This distinction is important because it suggests that the site served a specific purpose related to religious or ceremonial activities, rather than being a permanent dwelling place for a community of hunter-gatherers.
💡Experimental archaeology
Experimental archaeology is a branch of archaeology that involves recreating ancient technologies, structures, or activities to better understand past societies. The script mentions experimental archaeology in the context of studying how the large monoliths at Göbekli Tepe might have been moved and erected. This approach helps researchers to hypothesize and test theories about construction techniques and the social organization required for such monumental building projects.
💡Archaeofauna
Archaeofauna refers to the study of animal remains found at archaeological sites, which can provide insights into the diet, economy, and environment of past societies. In the video, archaeofauna is mentioned as a source of information about the early domestication of animals, such as cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs. The analysis of animal bones at Göbekli Tepe and other sites helps to trace the origins and spread of animal domestication, which is a key aspect of the Neolithic transition.
Highlights

Göbekli Tepe is an archaeological site in southeastern Turkey, internationally recognized as one of the most important projects of recent years.

The site, meaning 'mound with belly,' is an artificial mound made of limestone, indicating its significance through its name.

The project is a collaboration between the German Archaeological Institute and local authorities, focusing on conservation and restoration.

Göbekli Tepe is financed primarily by the German Research Foundation, marking it as a long-term archaeological endeavor.

The site dates back to the 10th and 9th millennium BC, featuring monuments that are approximately 12,000 years old.

Göbekli Tepe's age is unique, as it predates other known structures and coincides with the post-Ice Age period.

The site challenges the understanding of early human societies, suggesting complex building activities during a time when people were thought to be hunter-gatherers.

Göbekli Tepe is considered a crucial addition to human history, detailing the transition from hunter-gatherers to farming societies.

The site was initially obscured by agriculture, but surface findings indicated its importance, dating it to the pre-pottery Neolithic culture.

Göbekli Tepe is globally significant, as it is part of the regions where the transition to food-producing cultures occurred independently.

The site is located within a 'Golden Triangle' in the Fertile Crescent, indicating its importance in early agricultural developments.

Göbekli Tepe is not a settlement but a sanctuary, suggesting a central role in religious or ceremonial practices of the time.

Excavations have uncovered flint tools and large-scale sculptures, including a unique totem pole sculpture with human and animal depictions.

The T-shaped pillars at Göbekli Tepe represent stylized humans, marking a significant development in the representation of human forms in art.

The site provides evidence of early animal domestication, with different animals being domesticated in various regions, which were later combined into the 'Neolithic package'.

Göbekli Tepe's monumental architecture and art suggest a complex society with the capacity for large-scale gatherings and labor.

The site was eventually abandoned for unknown reasons, presenting a mystery that continues to drive archaeological research.

Göbekli Tepe is seen as a 'smoking gun' in archaeology, offering unexpected results that challenge traditional interpretations of early human societies.

The archaeological work at Göbekli Tepe is a collaborative effort, involving local workers, students, and specialists from various fields.

The research aims to answer open questions about the transition from hunter-gatherers to farmers and the impact on world history.

Transcripts

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Göbekli TepeArcheologyNeolithicTurkeyHunter-GatherersMonumental ArtDomesticationCultist CommunitySanctuaryPre-Pottery