British Museum expert Irving Finkel analyzes a small rounded green stone artifact from Göbekli Tepe, dated to approximately 9000 BC, and sees more than decoration. He argues the signs resemble hieroglyphic-style symbols and may represent a shared system of meaning — possibly even a bureaucratic purpose like marking ownership or formalizing agreements, similar to later Mesopotamian cylinder seals. With only 10% of Göbekli Tepe excavated, what other secrets might this 12,000-year-old site still hold?
British Museum expert identifies possible proto-writing at Göbekli Tepe
TürkiyeEpigraphy
Key facts
- Irving Finkel (British Museum) argues imagery from Göbekli Tepe shows a symbolic system rather than mere decoration
- A small rounded green stone artifact similar to later Egyptian and Mesopotamian stamp seals shows hieroglyphic-style signs
- Finkel dates this seal to approximately 9000 BC
- Finkel argues seals imply a shared system of meaning and a bureaucratic purpose (ratification, marking ownership, formalizing agreements)
- Only 10% of Göbekli Tepe has been excavated
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Sources
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