Separating fact from fiction at Gobeklitepe

Discoveries at Gobeklitepe, often referred to as the “zero point of history,” reaching back 12,000 years, have led to changes in historical textbooks.

This ancient site, believed to possess the world’s oldest “ritual area,” continues to intrigue people with aspects still not fully understood, such as its purpose of construction.

However, within this mysterious cloud, various pieces of information about Gobeklitepe are flying around. Alongside extraordinary claims like the site being built by aliens or housing a time portal, some academics have made comments suggesting that Gobeklitepe was used for observing the sky.

Are these comments based on solid foundations, or has Gobeklitepe become a gateway for exploitation? In light of new discoveries, we asked Gobeklitepe Excavation Director professor Necmi Karul about these assertions.

In recent years, Gobeklitepe has particularly captured the interest of astrologers and “quantumists.” These figures write books about the site, make grand claims, and organize travels to the region under these pretenses.

Professor Karul remarks, “There are groups benefiting from this. I believe some of them lack rational faculties. What is saddening is that there are people who give credence to this. We cannot view the matter as ‘there’s no such thing as bad publicity.'”

‘They look at past people with primitive eyes’

Karul emphasizes that there is no connection between the Gobeklitepe people, whose existence has not been proven, and aliens, nor can one say that aliens built the site. He explains, “Modern people view societies that lived in the past with primitive eyes.

This stems from the arrogance of modern societies toward the past. We should not ignore the skills of prehistoric humans by saying ‘aliens did it.’ These statements should not be given credence.”

However, Karul argues that the views of some academics and writers abroad also lack solid ground. For instance, regarding Edinburgh University’s Martin Sweatman’s statements suggesting Gobeklitepe was used as an observatory to watch the night sky, Karul states, “So far, we have not come across any concrete evidence of this. Moreover, the structures at Gobeklitepe are covered with roofs and do not resemble observatories.

Last year, we found negative traces of wood that we think were used as roofs. We believe that 12,000 years ago, standing stones were used as supports, covered with materials like wood and branches. Of course, people of that period lived closely with nature. We cannot say they did not observe the sky. However, there is no archaeological evidence of this.”

‘They had advanced architecture’

Responds to a question about Israeli archaeologists who recently demonstrated the Gobeklitepe people’s knowledge of geometry through structures.

He said, “There is no need to relate this geometry to astronomy. It is more accurate to say that people of that period were highly advanced in architecture, transforming and masterfully using building materials around them.”

Hancock’s opinion

Graham Hancock, who visited Gobeklitepe and produced a documentary for Netflix, claims the site is an astronomical observatory, and “Pillar 43” could be a constellation diagram.

However, Karul denies this.

“Hancock previously visited Karahantepe and filmed there, producing a documentary. He twisted what we said to fit his narrative. He associates scenes on standing stones with astronomy. Yet, we believe these scenes are products of mythological stories and a shared memory. They develop a deceptive discourse by disregarding dozens of standing stones and depictions, even basing misleading claims on some figures depicted on them,” Karul said.