Embark on an extraordinary journey through time to witness the 12,000-year-old history of Göbekli Tepe. This unique experience, brought to life through captivating animation, offers visitors an unforgettable glimpse into the enigmatic world of the Neolithic era.
Göbekli Tepe, located near Örencik village in the Haliliye district of Şanlıurfa, southeastern Turkey, stands as the oldest known Neolithic settlement. Discovered during joint surface surveys by Istanbul and Chicago Universities in 1963, excavations began in 1995 under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Klaus Schmidt, in collaboration with the German Archaeological Institute and Şanlıurfa Museum. Today, excavations led by Prof. Dr. Necmi Karul of Istanbul University continue to reveal evidence confirming Göbekli Tepe as the world’s oldest temple site.
Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Göbekli Tepe’s 12,000-year-old mysteries are further illuminated by a state-of-the-art virtual animation center.
Aydın Aslan, Şanlıurfa’s Director of Culture and Tourism, highlights Göbekli Tepe’s pivotal role as a leading Neolithic center. The site, renowned for its “T”-shaped pillars adorned with wild animal figures, some weighing between 40 to 60 tons and standing 3 to 6 meters tall, is hailed as “history’s zero point.” Its ancient temple remains continue to captivate global attention.
To deepen understanding of this historic site, Göbekli Tepe is frequently featured in books, films, series, and animated productions. The virtual animation center offers a compelling narrative of Göbekli Tepe’s evolution through engaging animations, enhancing visitors’ comprehension of its mysteries.
Aslan emphasizes the center’s significance in helping visitors grasp the Neolithic period:
“The center provides a crucial narrative, especially regarding the transition from the Ice Age and the emergence of Göbekli Tepe. It features animations and documentaries depicting the Neolithic people as hunter-gatherers, their shelter construction, and the monumental building of Göbekli Tepe. We also trace the human journey from hunting and gathering to agriculture and animal domestication. Visitors express great satisfaction with this immersive experience. We recommend that visitors explore the virtual animation center before seeing Göbekli Tepe itself, to fully appreciate how the site came to be.”
This immersive experience not only educates but also transports visitors back in time, allowing them to witness the dawn of civilization in a profound and memorable way.
