Göbekli Tepe and Karahan Tepe
The word “tepe” means hill or summit in Turkish and refers to both sites that are located around the rocky Tektek Mountains. Turkey has been in the forefront of research into the origins of farming and animal husbandry for several generations, starting with the discovery and excavation of Çatalhöyük. Then followed the dig at Göbekli Tepe, with its monoliths and shrines dating to about 9600 BC. And now the site of Karahan Tepe is being investigated. Karahan Tepe is an archaeological site in Şanlıurfa Province in Turkey which is located near Yağmurlu and roughly 46 kilometers east of Göbekli Tepe which is often referred to as its sister site. Over the years, archaeologists have made a series of amazing discoveries at the Karahan Tepe site. Tons of buried T-shaped obelisks, like the ones carved with wild animals at Göbekli Tepe, have led researchers to conclude that Karahan Tepe “is much older” compared to its “younger sister,” Göbekli Tepe.
Karahan and Göbekli Tepe are the wonders of the world. Not only are these sites wonders of ancient engineering, but they also date to a time when history tells us such super-monuments were impossible to have been built. This is because they are believed to date back to at least 12,500 years ago. And during this period, no advanced civilizations were supposed to exist. Nonetheless, Karahan and Göbekli Tepe prove otherwise.
Karahan Tepe, a super-site
The site was found in 1997, and ever since, Karahan Tepe has caught the eye of archaeologists for numerous reasons. The site is massive. It covers 15 hectares when you include the quarries from which the gigantic stones were removed. Excavations throughout the years have revealed that Karahan Tepe is genuinely a super site. It is home to numerous mysterious structures, more than 250 obelisks, but also different sculptures of animals, curious inscriptions, and a symbology that tells us it was likely connected to Göbekli Tepe, bearing great importance. So far, experts have come across arrowheads, blades, and tools made of obsidian and flint. No traces of localized agriculture have been found at the site.
Göbekli and Karahan Tepe
There are various similarities between these two sites. Both seem to have been built some 12,000 to 12,500 years ago. But more importantly, both Göbekli and Karahan Tepe are home to massive t-shaped pillars which were decorated with numerous symbols, including snakes, insects, and birds, but also humanoid shapes. Unlike Göbekli Tepe, where no huts or similar structures were found that could point towards year-round habitation, Karahan Tepe features circular homes. However, as noted by experts, these houses were part of a vast complex believed to have served a ritualistic nature. There, a series of ritualistic structures were cut directly into the bedrock. It is noteworthy that this does not signify the site was inhabited year-round.
While Göbekli Tepe is home to numerous illustrations of humanoid figures, there are many more at Karahan Tepe. The symbolism is shrouded in mystery. Still, experts argue that it could point towards a connection between humans of the period and the animal world. And strangely, just as we see with Göbekli Tepe, the site of Karahan Tepe was also intentionally buried thousands of years ago on purpose. Why ancient humans needed to bury both sites elude historians to this date.
History Changer
Göbekli Tepe and Karahan Tepe, as well as a series of smaller sites in the area, are of great importance. Not only because they tell us that around 12,000 years ago, advanced civilizations existed on Earth, but because nothing like them has been found anywhere else. Göbekli and Karahan Tepe predate writing, agriculture, and some of the first cities. But more importantly, both sites are highly complex and vast and bear a meaning we have not yet understood. Strangely, both sites were buried. And this is believed to have been on purpose.
