Göbekli Tepe is a Neolithic archaeological site in the Southeastern Anatolia Region of Turkey. The settlement was inhabited from c. 9500 to at least 8000 BCE, during the Pre-Pottery Neolithic. It is famous for its large circular structures that contain mᴀssive stone pillars – among the world’s oldest known megaliths. Many of these pillars are decorated with anthropomorphic details, clothing, and sculptural reliefs of wild animals, providing archaeologists rare insights into prehistoric religion and the particular iconography of the period.
The Vulture Stele, an enigmatic artifact estimated to be at least 12,000 years old, was discovered among ruins reminiscent of the celebrated Göbekli Tepe in southeastern Turkey. This ancient monument has sparked heated debates among scholars and enthusiasts alike, as its intricate carvings suggest a far more advanced astronomical knowledge than previously ᴀssumed for that era.
At the center of the stele lies a sphere—widely interpreted as the Earth—surrounded by a host of animal figures that many believe represent constellations. This raises intriguing questions: Could our distant ancestors have known that the Earth is spherical, and had they already organized the heavens into a complex system of constellations? The precise placement of these figures hints at an intimate relationship with the cosmos, implying that these early peoples might have observed celestial patterns with a sophistication that challenges conventional timelines.
Adding to the mystery, a closer inspection of the upper right portion of the stele reveals two snake-like forms seemingly descending from the sky. Some researchers propose that these “snakes” symbolize a swarm of comets—cataclysmic visitors believed to have bombarded the Earth around the time the stele was crafted. This interpretation finds support in recent astrophysics studies, which document a significant comet impact event approximately 12,000 years ago.
Furthermore, similar stelae in the region depict strange beings with human legs and bird wings positioned near these celestial phenomena. These hybrid figures may represent divine messengers or symbolic guardians, potentially warning of an impending cosmic catastrophe. Whether these images serve as memorials of a long-forgotten extinction event or as a timeless caution, the Vulture Stele remains a captivating testament to a lost civilization’s profound connection with the universe. Could such a cosmic event reoccur? The mystery endures.
/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer/gobeklitepe_nov08_631.jpg?resize=300,300&ssl=1 "Gobekli Tepe: The World’s First Temple?")
