First Civilization Part 3 Chapter 23

 

 

The structures at Gobekli Tepe not only predate pottery, metallurgy, and the invention of writing or the wheel; they were built before the so-called Neolithic Revolution, i.e., the beginning of agriculture and animal husbandry around 15000 BC. But the construction of Göbekli Tepe implies organization of an order of complexity not hitherto associated with Paleolithic societies. Archaeologists estimate that up to 500 persons were required to extract the heavy pillars from local quarries and move them 100–500 meters (330–1,600 ft) to the site.The pillars weigh 10–20-metric-ton (9.8–20 long tons; 11–22 short tons); with one found still in its quarry weighing 50 tons.  But they forget the early domestication of cattle is possible -the use of aurochs to pull the objects to the desired location.

 

Unfinished stone in Gobeckli Tepe quarry

 

Anakim using an instrument in construction of  a temple

A tradition says that the seven Anakim  (as priests) supervised the work and later controlled whatever ceremonies took place there. If so, this would be the oldest known evidence for a priestly caste—much earlier than in others elsewhere in the Near East.

Gobekli Tepe Lion Carving on Pillar

Archeologists do not know how a force large enough to construct, augment, and maintain such a substantial complex was mobilized and rewarded or fed in the conditions of pre-Neolithic society. They can not "read" the pictograms, and do not know for certain what meaning the animal reliefs had for visitors to the site; the variety of fauna depicted, from lions and boars to birds and insects, makes any single explanation problematic. As there seems to be little or no evidence, and the animals depicted on the stones were mainly predators, the stones may have been intended to stave off evils through some form of magic representation; it is also possible that they served as totems.

 

The two pillars in the center of the temple can be seen clearly here

Archeologists believe the two largest pillars were placed in the center of each circle to help support a roof, and up to eight smaller pillars were evenly positioned around the walls of the temple. The spaces between the pillars had stone benches placed between each set of pillars.  At the time of their construction these buildings were all  above ground.