Göbekli Tepe, the oldest known site and possibly the greatest mystery of human civilization, has become the subject of much controversy in recent years. Theoretically, it is an archaeological heritage that could answer many critical questions about the origins of humanity. However, the reality shows that the damage and obstruction in the excavation of this site are causing headaches for experts and researchers.
Lack of Adequate Excavation
In previous videos, I’ve discussed many controversial issues about Göbekli Tepe. One undeniable fact is that only about 5 to 10% of the site has been excavated over the past 30 years. What is even more concerning is the future plan for excavation, as experts have announced that the pace of excavations will slow down in the coming decades. Specifically, they have stated that the excavation process will take a long period, up to 150 years, to complete. This decision is unacceptable, especially when Göbekli Tepe could provide crucial answers about the origins of humanity.
Damage from Tourism Infrastructure
Unfortunately, the slow pace of excavation is not the only issue. Years ago, the construction of tourism infrastructure caused severe damage to the site. When tourism facilities were built almost directly on top of ancient ruins, excavation work was effectively halted. This infrastructure was built too hastily and without proper standards, leading to irreparable destruction of ancient artifacts, especially in the central parts of the site.
One significant mistake was planting olive trees on areas of the site that had not yet been excavated, making it extremely difficult to access and excavate the entire site. Furthermore, the roots of olive trees can damage the ancient structures as they penetrate the soil and ruin the archaeological layers beneath.
Drilling Holes That Cause Irreparable Damage
During a recent visit to Turkey, I witnessed something incredibly concerning: the construction of a dome on Göbekli Tepe, relying on steel pillars that were drilled directly into the ground of the ancient site. These steel pillars have been drilled deep into the earth, right in areas where artifacts had not been excavated, creating an enormous risk for irreplaceable relics. Drilling holes into the ground where ancient artifacts lie could cause irreparable damage.
In reality, many tourism facilities have been built right on areas that have not been properly excavated. If archaeological work had been carried out before construction, we might have been able to avoid this destruction. The drilling of holes as deep as 6 meters into unexcavated ruins is not just an intrusion but also a severe mistake in preservation efforts.
Challenges in Restoring and Studying the Site
What’s even more alarming is that this damage will affect future archaeological research for years to come. With the artifacts being destroyed or damaged, restoring and studying them will become incredibly difficult. Understanding the true purpose of Göbekli Tepe may never be achievable if proper conservation and excavation measures aren’t implemented from the start.
Conclusion
We cannot deny the importance of Göbekli Tepe in the history of humanity. However, hasty and unreasonable actions in developing tourism infrastructure have seriously harmed this archaeological site. If there is no change in the approach and priority given to archaeology, we may lose the opportunity to unlock crucial mysteries about the origins of human civilization.
The preservation and proper excavation of this site must be the top priority, rather than short-term tourism benefits. The world is watching what happens at Göbekli Tepe, and we have every right to demand a more responsible approach to protect this heritage for future generations.
