On the UNESCO World Heritage List: 2.5 million people have visited Göbeklitepe since 2019

Located near the rural Örencik Neighborhood, 18 kilometers from the center of Şanlıurfa, the archaeological site was first noticed during surface surveys by researchers from the universities of Istanbul and Chicago in 1963. The most concrete findings emerged in 1986 with a statue discovered by a farmer while plowing his field.

In the joint studies carried out by the Şanlıurfa Museum and the German Archaeological Institute since 1995, "T"-shaped pillars with wild animal figures, measuring 3-6 meters in height and weighing 40-60 tons, dating back to the Neolithic period, were found.

2 MILLION 551 THOUSAND PEOPLE VISITED

During the excavations, various historical artifacts were also unearthed, such as the world's oldest temple ruins, which are circular and rectangular in shape with diameters of 8-30 meters, and a 65-centimeter-long human statue stated to be approximately 12 thousand years old.

Attracting the attention of the whole world with the findings obtained, Göbeklitepe was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List on July 2, 2018. Following the construction of a protective roof and landscaping, Göbeklitepe was officially opened on March 8, 2019.

The archaeological site, which has become an important stop for tours in the Southeast, has been visited by 2 million 551 thousand 535 people since its opening.

EXCAVATIONS THAT BEGAN IN 1995 CONTINUE

Göbeklitepe Site Manager and Director of the Şanlıurfa Museum, Celal Uludağ, stated that the findings obtained from the excavations at the site have created very important results for world archaeology.

Pointing out that the number of visitors increases every year, Uludağ explained that the excavations in the region, which began in 1995, are continuing and that the artifacts found have drawn the attention of the whole world to this region.

Recalling that a pig statue was found in 2023, Uludağ said:

"We can actually describe this artifact as the world's oldest painted pig statue made in its real dimensions. This artifact is on display at the Şanlıurfa Archaeology Museum. Of course, excavation work continues at Göbeklitepe within the scope of the Taştepeler project. These excavation works will continue in the coming years. Very important findings will be encountered in the ongoing excavations, just like the artifacts obtained in previous years. Naturally, with these findings, Göbeklitepe is becoming a center of attention for people."

PEOPLE ARE AMAZED WHEN THEY ENCOUNTER THE FIGURES

Stating that the archaeological site has a very important place for world and Turkish archaeology, Uludağ noted the following:

"When people who come here see these structures in the area, especially when they see the human figures and animal figures on the steles, they are truly amazed. Because the Göbeklitepe Archaeological Site is actually the oldest and most special in terms of monumental architecture in the world. People visit Göbeklitepe out of curiosity about this. We think that these visits will continue to increase in the coming years. Göbeklitepe is truly one of the important points, one of the important centers that changed world history."

News Source: 12punto