Göbekli Tepe discovery history: 1963 surveys, Schmidt excavation, 11,600 BP dating. Site was first surveyed in 1963 by archaeologist Peter Benedict and team Located in southeast Turkey near Şanlıurfa (ancient city of Edessa) Dates to at least 11,600 years ago, after the Younger Dryas
Göbekli Tepe in southeast Turkey was first surveyed in 1963 by Peter Benedict. The site near Şanlıurfa dates to at least 11,600 years ago and was publicly announced in 2000. Klaus Schmidt recognized its importance in the late 1980s. GPR scans reveal about 22 acres of construction, though only 5-7% has been excavated.
Key Facts
- Site was first surveyed in 1963 by archaeologist Peter Benedict and team
- Located in southeast Turkey near Şanlıurfa (ancient city of Edessa)
- Dates to at least 11,600 years ago, after the Younger Dryas
- Announced to the world in the year 2000, with excavations beginning in the mid-1990s
- Klaus Schmidt identified significance in the late 1980s after artifacts were brought to museum
- Sites were deliberately buried at end of use (~1500 years of occupation) and preserved
- 12 or more official sites in the region; reports suggest 38 or up to 100 sites
- GPR scan reveals approximately 22 acres (9 hectares) of construction
Source: STONEHENGE Rituals, BAALBEK Megaliths, KARAHAN TEPE Astronomy | Hugh Newman | Hodge-Cast Podcast by MegalithomaniaUK