Was Zoroastrianism practised in Göbekli Tepe

[Anthea]

Rudaw

Head of Zoroastrian temple says people are returning to their roots

There has been a recent surge in conversions to Zoroastrianism among Kurds at home and abroad.

Andaz Hawezi, chief of the Zoroastrian Temple in Sweden says thousands have joined the faith.

In 2011 he was elected to lead the temple. Zoroastrianism is one of the world’s oldest religions to which most Kurds trace their ancestral faith.

Hawezi says not all the new converts or followers are Kurds. There are Arabs, Turks, Persian, Swedish, Polish, British and other nationalities.

“We hope to come back to Kurdistan. That’s why we named the Temple Kurdish Zoroastrian.” Hawezi says.

The Temple in Sweden is now working to gain permission from the Kurdish government to open its temple in the Kurdistan Region.

At the moment its members meet in Sulaimani city.

“As a religion we must be everywhere. If we get permission to work here we would do our works in every part of the Kurdistan Region.” Hawezi told Rudaw in an interview.

Link to Article - Video:

http://rudaw.net/english/kurdistan/310120162

[Anthea]

There are little known valleys of the dead in Kurdistan

Places where the skeletons of long dead Kurds - who refused to surrender to the Islamic onslaught as it swept throughout the area - have lain undisturbed for centuries

The same way in which the Islamic State offered innocent Yazidis the choice of life as a Muslim of an horrendous death

The same way in which the Islamic State are offering innocent peoples throughout Syria and Iraq the choice of life as a Muslim of an horrendous death

A Kurd is a Kurd whatever religion has been forced upon their ancestors

A Kurd is a Kurd whichever of the oppressive states occupy their land

A Kurd is a Kurd and must support other Kurds

So that their children may say

I AM A KURD

[Piling]

I wonder if these neo-zoroastrians are ready to practice Indian Parsis (the true Zoroastrians) rituals, like non-burrying deads but giving them as a dinner to vultures…

[Anthea]

I wonder if these neo-zoroastrians are ready to practice Indian Parsis (the true Zoroastrians) rituals, like non-burrying deads but giving them as a dinner to vultures…

Not a bad idea

I expect early Kurds were just the average sun worshippers

I wonder what they would have worshipped in Gobekli Tepe

I do not believe in any of the religions but I still think Zoroastrianisim is better than Islam

[Anthea]

An Archaeological Site In Kurdistan Is Rewriting Our Entire Understanding of Human History

Göbekli Tepe just doesn’t make sense. The neolithic archaeological ruins were first uncovered in the '60s, but their significance wasn’t truly realized until 1994. The site is located in southeastern Turkey - although it predates the establishment of the country by a significant amount of time

In fact, Göbekli Tepe is so old and complex that it is rewriting our understanding of not just Kurdish history, but the entire history of humanity. Based on everything we know about how modern civilization got its start, Göbekli Tepe should not exist. However, exist it does, and has for nearly 12,000 years.

Archaeological study of Göbekli Tepe has been going on for quite some time—even though the modern political climate in Turkey has made matters slightly more difficult. Some sections are even in the process of being restored. The site has become a tourist attraction and a source of local pride, and there are plenty of good reasons for that. Göbekli Tepe is, after all, the oldest site of significance created by human beings, and that makes it one of the most important archaeological discoveries ever made.

Almost 12,000 Years Old, But A... is listed (or ranked) 1 on the list This Archaeological Site Is Rewriting Our Entire Understanding of Human History

Göbekli Tepe is notable for multiple reasons, but they all tie back in to its excessive ancientness. The construction at Göbekli Tepe dates back almost 12,000 years, placing it in a time period that is generally considered to be pre-civilization. It was built right around the same time that the last ice age ended. Göbekli Tepe then went on to be an active civilization for nearly three millennia before being abandoned under mysterious circumstances around 9,000 years ago.

Göbekli Tepe is a site that practically begs for archaeological study. The structures that make up the site are amazingly well-preserved, allowing archaeologists to study them in something similar to their original state. Part of the reason for the remarkable preservation of Göbekli Tepe is due to the climate in Turkey, but another major factor is the fact that many of the temple sites appear to have been backfilled before being abandoned.

This allowed the structures to remain protected from the elements as the centuries wore on, preserving their history for modern humans to discover.

Predates Stonehenge, Sumer, Writing By Over 6,000 Years

One of the best ways to comprehend just how ancient Göbekli Tepe is, is to compare it to other things that are considered incredibly ancient. Göbekli Tepe predates Stonehenge, one of the most famous prehistoric construction feats in human history, by over 6,000 years. The site predates the era of Sumer, considered one of the earliest true civilizations, and the invention of writing, by a similar, 6,000-ish year margin.

To really put things in perspective, there was about as much time between the construction of Göbekli Tepe and the construction of Stonehenge as there was between the construction of Stonehenge and today.

Architecture Far Ahead Of Its Time

The fact that Göbekli Tepe is so old isn’t the only significant thing about it. The skilled architectural style seen in the construction of its many “temples” is seriously impressive, and would be in any era. The combination of the site’s age and construction quality, however, is what makes it such an earth-shaking revelation for the archaeological world. The craftsmanship seen at Göbekli Tepe is thousands of years ahead of its time, and dates back to long before such construction should have been possible.

The manpower, engineering, and project managing required for such an endeavor all seem unfeasible, given where human civilization was understood to be at the time. The very existence of Göbekli Tepe has forced archaeologists to re-think the dawn of civilization.

https://www.ranker.com/list/facts-about ... L3tV9ucANc

[Anthea]

Link to recent interesting video on Gobekli Tepe:

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/16mH19LbCH/

[Anthea]

Göbekli Tepe
The 12,000-Year-Old Site That Shouldn’t Exist

Around 6,000 years before the early peoples of Britain were gathering at Stonehenge, a similar structure was being painstakingly constructed thousands of miles away in the hills of Kurdistan near the Syrian border. The pre-Neolithic structure of Göbekli Tepe has intrigued and puzzled archaeologists and historians for decades

Large circles of towering limestone T-shape pillars dominate the site, some rising 16 feet into the sky. Through radiocarbon dating, scientists have established that Göbekli Tepe was built between the years 9600 B.C.E. and 8200 B.C.E., but they still don’t know exactly why.

Theories have been vigorously discussed and debated since the site was first uncovered in the 1960s, with some suggesting it’s a temple, others a burial place. Recent research adds to the speculation with signs that there was a permanent settlement in the area. While there are many unanswered questions around this ancient mystery, its importance is beyond doubt.

One of the most astounding things about the site is its timing. Built before agriculture, before pottery, and possible before organized religion as we understand it today, it’s hard to imagine the civilization that managed to erect such a sophisticated monument with its huge pillars and intricate carvings.

Pillars of Göbekli Tepe.

For one thing, Göbekli Tepe was built in the pre-Neolithic age when humans were hunter-gatherers, living a nomadic lifestyle and moving in small groups. Building Göbekli Tepe would have required the workers to settle in one place during its construction, leading some archaeologists to theorize that the site prompted, or at least heralded, the development of agriculture. If people were going to build and attend a place of worship, they would’ve needed the means to form a self-sustaining settlement there.

In this way, discoveries at Göbekli Tepe are rewriting the story of human history, filling in some of the blanks around the civilizational shift in early peoples from hunter-gatherers to farmers. Work at the site is ongoing and new theories are developing as this sacred space spills its secrets.

Excavating Göbekli Tepe

There are over 20 structures at Göbekli Tepe, made up of large limestone pillars. Some of these pillars are over 16 feet tall, and at least one is estimated to weigh about 50 tons. Arranged in rings, the pillars aren’t all uniform. Some display finely wrought carvings of animals including foxes, scorpions, lions, and vultures. Others feature designs of humans and pieces of clothing. The pillars themselves appear to be anthropomorphic, decorated with what appear to be arms and faces.

After being discovered in the 1960s, Göbekli Tepe was abandoned in favor of other digs in the area. Revived again in the 1990s, this next phase of research uncovered several more structures allowing archaeologists to categorize them into ordinary buildings and special buildings.

The special buildings are those that show no evidence of occupation and boast the largest, most ornate pillars. From the structure of the pillars — some facing inwards, some angled towards others — archaeologists believe these structures were an important, perhaps sacred, meeting place.

There have been many fascinating artifacts dug out of the ground at Göbekli Tepe but one in particular has captured public imagination. In 2023, researchers unearthed a life-sized statue of a wild boar estimated to be around 10,500 years old. Placed between pillars, the statue was clearly a focal point of the structure it was found in and was even decorated. Red, white, and black pigment was found on its head and body.

Farmers or Hunter-Gatherers?

The people who built and used Göbekli Tepe did so in between eras, at the time of a great societal shift. The world was transitioning from a more nomadic culture to settlements that could support themselves as they grew through farming crops, domesticating animals, and storing food.

So which were the people of Göbekli Tepe, hunter-gatherers or farmers? Given the unusual nature of the temple-like structures, the original theory placed them firmly in the former camp but, as more was unearthed from the site, the picture became blurry.

The discovery of new buildings in the 2000s showed that people weren’t just occasionally coming to Göbekli Tepe to worship or gather. Discoveries of fragments of human bones suggest a settlement where people were living full-time

The anomaly however is that archaeologists haven’t found any evidence of farming. Bone fragments from the site show that the people were surviving on the usual hunter-gatherer fare of wild animals (in this case gazelle) and wheat. The people of Göbekli Tepe appear to have had a foot in both camps, wanting to settle down but not quite ready to start farming.

Exploring Göbekli Tepe

In 2018, Göbekli Tepe became a UNESCO World Heritage Site and, as a result, is now a major contributor to Turkey’s tourism industry. Although the site is an active excavation, it is open to the public and has a Visitors Center and accessible walking paths.

The closest airport to Göbekli Tepe is in the nearby city of Şanlıurfa. First time visitors are encouraged to see the Şanlıurfa Archaeological Museum while they’re in the city. Home to around 10,000 ancient artifacts, the museum has an extensive exhibit on Göbekli Tepe that goes into detail on its origins and construction and includes a detailed replica of the stone circles.

Over 2.5 million people have visited Göbekli Tepe since it first opened to the public in 2019. As they wander the site, these travelers are walking in the footsteps of one of the world’s most ancient civilizations. Every discovery made at this important place helps us bridge the gap across the millennia to gain incredible insights into how early peoples lived.

Link to Article - Photos:

https://www.worldatlas.com/ancient-worl ... exist.html

[Anthea]

Göbekli Tepe
UNESCO World Heritage Centre

Brief synthesis

Göbekli Tepe is located in Upper Mesopotamia, a region which saw the emergence of the most ancient farming communities in the world.

Monumental structures, interpreted as monumental communal buildings (enclosures), were erected by groups of hunter-gatherers in the Pre-Pottery Neolithic period (10th-9th millennia BC). The monuments were probably used in connection with social events and rituals and feature distinctive limestone T-shaped pillars, some of which are up to 5.50 meters tall.

Some of the pillars, which are abstract depictions of the human form, also feature low reliefs of items of clothing, e.g. belts and loincloths, as well as high and low reliefs of wild animals. Recent excavation works have also identified the remains of non-monumental structures which appear to stem from domestic buildings.

Criterion: The communities that built the monumental megalithic structures of Göbekli Tepe lived during one of the most momentous transitions in human history, one which took us from hunter-gatherer lifeways to the first farming communities. The monumental buildings at Göbekli Tepe demonstrate the creative human genius of these early (Pre-Pottery Neolithic) societies.

Criterion: Göbekli Tepe is one of the first manifestations of human-made monumental architecture. The site testifies to innovative building techniques, including the integration of frequently decorated T-shaped limestone pillars, which also fulfilled architectural functions. The imagery found at Göbekli Tepe, adorning T-pillars and some small finds (stone vessels, shaft-straighteners, etc.), is also found at contemporaneous sites in the Upper Mesopotamian region, thus testifying to a close social network in this core region of Neolithisation.

Criterion: Göbekli Tepe is an outstanding example of a monumental ensemble of monumental megalithic structures illustrating a significant period of human history. The monolithic T-shaped pillars were carved from the adjacent limestone plateau and attest to new levels of architectural and engineering technology. They are believed to bear witness to the presence of specialized craftsmen, and possibly the emergence of more hierarchical forms of human society.

Integrity

Göbekli Tepe contains all the elements necessary for the expression of its Outstanding Universal Value and is of adequate size to ensure the complete presentation of the features and processes which convey its significance.

The physical fabric of the property is in good condition and the processes of deterioration are monitored and carefully controlled.

The conditions of integrity are potentially vulnerable in the buffer zone and wider setting of the property due to the future infrastructure projects (railway line) and the increase in visitor numbers likely to be generated.

Authenticity

The megalithic structures have largely retained the original form and design of their architectural elements, together with numerous decorative elements and craft works that provide an insight into the way of life of the societies that occupied the site. The results of more than twenty years of research and archaeological excavations on the site testify to its authenticity. Excavations and research under way since the mid-1990s also provide a more balanced and detailed view of the relationship between the various aspects of usage and the prehistoric importance of the property.

Protection and management requirements

Göbekli Tepe is legally protected by Law 2863/1983 on the Protection of the Cultural and Natural Properties, amended in 1987 and 2004. In 2005, the tell and the limestone plateau were inscribed as a 1st Degree Archaeological Conservation Site by the decision of the Diyarbakır Council for Conservation of Cultural and Natural Properties. In 2016, the buffer zone was registered as a 3rd Degree Archaeological Conservation Site, by the decision of the Şanlıurfa Council for Conservation of Cultural Properties.

The institutional framework for the implementation of the protection measures consists at national level of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, at regional level of the Şanlıurfa Council for Conservation of Cultural Properties, and at local level of Şanlıurfa Museum. Since 2014 the Ministry of Culture and Tourism has granted an excavation permit to Şanlıurfa Museum in collaboration with the German Archaeological Institute .

The property, its buffer zone and its wider setting are protected by a strict regime of maintenance and control, derived from extensive statutory protection and state ownership. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism, through the Şanlıurfa Museum and the German Archaeological Institute, has in place an effective system of monitoring of all the assets and their condition, which includes an ongoing maintenance programme.

The management plan was drawn up in 2013, revised in 2016 and finalised in 2017. Within the framework of the revised conservation legislation (Protection of Cultural and Natural Properties Law No.2863, 23/07/1983 as amended by the Law No.5226, 14/07/2004) and its supplementary Regulation on the Substance and Procedures of the Establishment and Duties of the Site Management and the Management Council and Identification of Management Sites No.26006, 27/11/2005, a site manager was appointed in 2014.

An Advisory Board, set up in 2016, examines the management plan and submits proposals for decision-making and the implementation of the plan. A Coordination and Audit Board, also set up in 2016, examines and approves the draft master plan.

https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1572