When archeologists uncovered the world’s oldest temple in a dusty flatland in southern Turkey, they got the academic equivalent of a swift kick to the ‘nads. After the tests had been done and strata counted, they came back with a number: Göbekli Tepe is 11,000 years old.
Let me put 11,000 years old into context, starting with the last Ice Age—that ended only 10,000 years ago. From there, let’s go on: Göbekli Tepe is 8,000 years older than the Pyramids, 6,000 years older than Stonehenge, 5,500 years older than writing, and 1,000 years older than Jericho (the world’s oldest true “city”). Göbekli Tepe is older than farming. It is older than pottery.
Nobody likes to discuss their age in public, but archeologists had a total mindf***. It had been thought that the whole idea of religious thought sprung up after humans, who for thousands of years roved in isolated bands, were driven by a drying climate valleys of the Nile, Indus, Tigris-Euphrates, and Yellow rivers and by default created what today we call “civilizations.” But Göbekli Tepe shows no signs of habitation, no supporting community. It’s like it just sprung up out of nowhere, leading experts to believe it was the awe of the beyond that drew humanity together to sacred sites that then themselves became cities and towns, not the other way around.
There are lots of reasons to visit Turkey, not least of which it being one of the most forward-thinking countries in the Muslim world. But from a historical perspective, the country is hard to beat, and now it’s even harder. Most travelers stick to Istanbul and the Aegean coast, but Göbekli Tepe is almost on the other side of the country, near the city of Şanlıurfa (which is itself totally worth the trip and still off the radar when it comes to mass tourism). Tours to Göbekli Tepe ar already underway even as more of the site is excavated. Totally worth it if you don’t mind going off the beaten track.
Aside from it’s mindbending age, Göbekli Tepe is curious because of how “male” it is. The site is a complex of stone pillars carved into a basic approximation of a man’s head and torso. Carved onto these boys are a zoo of creatures—scorpions, vultures, foxes—and where a penis can be shown, it is. In fact, penises (albeit animalistic ones) spangle the site. It’s been a rule that the further you go back in archeology, the more and more the sacred female images you get; Göbekli Tepe clearly shows the dudes were in the spotlight.
What can I say? Guys rock. Steele Luxury Travel is here to make your Turkish Delight become a reality. Visit www.SteeleTravel.comto learn more!