Olive trees within Göbekli Tepe's archaeological area were relocated in 2025 to protect ancient remains from potential root damage and clear ground for future excavation. The work has revived a disputed 2018 controversy over a visitor shelter whose steel supports were anchored into bedrock above the main T-pillar enclosures. Çiğdem Köksal Schmidt, an archaeologist at the German Archaeological Institute and wife of the late excavation director Klaus Schmidt, said the installation damaged buried structures and prioritised tourism over excavation; the DAI disputed her account. Pillar 43 stands near one of the steel beams.
Göbekli Tepe tree relocation revives steel-beam damage dispute
TürkiyeHeritage
Key facts
- A large protective roof and visitor platform were installed over Göbekli Tepe's main T-pillar enclosures.
- The structure's steel supports were anchored into bedrock, with Pillar 43 located near one of them.
- Çiğdem Köksal Schmidt, an archaeologist at the German Archaeological Institute and wife of the late excavation director Klaus Schmidt, said in 2018 that the work damaged buried remains, began before excavation was complete and prioritised tourism over archaeology; the DAI disputed her account.
- In 2025, olive trees within the archaeological area were relocated to protect ancient artifacts from potential root damage and open previously inaccessible ground for future excavation.
Sources
Ancient Gobekli Tepe site meets conspiracy theories - NPRnpr.org
German archaeologist Klaus Schmidt, who pioneered excavations at the ancient site of Gobekli Tepe, carries out research in Sanliurfa, Turkey, ...
Göbeklitepe moves olive trees to safeguard ancient artifactshurriyetdailynews.com
The trees are carefully uprooted using a technique that exposes their roots without causing harm. Once removed, the trees are handed over to the ...
Gobeklitepe controversy leads to removal of trees—here is whyturkiyetoday.com
Olive tree relocation clears way for expanding excavations at Gobeklitepe · Excavation head denied claims that work had been halted in 2024 · Why ...
Gobeklitepe moves olive trees to safeguard ancient artifactsaa.com.tr
Gobeklitepe moves olive trees to safeguard ancient artifacts. 'As trees grew, their roots began to damage remains beneath surface,' says ...
Why an Old Göbekli Tepe Claim Is Resurfacinganatolianarchaeology.net
Olive trees being relocated from the Göbekli Tepe archaeological area in 2025, opening previously inaccessible ground for future excavation.
Olive trees relocated at Göbeklitepe to protect ancient ...dailysabah.com
Olive trees at Gobeklitepe, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in southeastern Türkiye, are being relocated to prevent damage to its 12,000-year-old ...
Göbekli Tepeen.wikipedia.org
As of 2021 , about 10% of the site has been excavated. Conservation work at the site caused controversy in 2018 when Çiğdem Köksal Schmidt, an ...
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