Sayburc, a little-known sister site to Göbekli Tepe with 11-12,000-year-old ruins, sits neglected on a roadside in an impoverished neighborhood. A steel beam appears to penetrate straight through a 12,000-year-old pillar. The site has no signs, fences, or barriers, with trash everywhere and kids and farm animals wandering freely. Reconstruction attempts were ineffective and ruins have been scattered about. This forgotten site with potentially extraordinary archaeology receives zero protection.
Olive trees planted on Göbekli Tepe damaging ancient ruins
TürkiyeHeritage
Key facts
- Orchards of olive trees were planted on top of ancient ruins surrounding Göbekli Tepe
- Tree roots are penetrating basements and destroying infrastructure
- The roots have been confirmed to be damaging the ruins at Göbekli Tepe
- The trees prevent full excavation as they would need to be removed
Site mentioned
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