28 replies to this topic

[chimaybliss]

Gobekli Tepe is the oldest man-made structure ever found so far by archaeology but the site has posed huge questions about our ancient past.  Perhaps most perplexing is why would our ancestors have actually buried the site?  Was it to protect it or to erase the memory and construction of it?  Check out new information about it:

http://goo.gl/Rbu28

[sunshinegirl16]

Maybe for protection of the site? I don't know, honestly because of security or maybe...they were hiding something?

[Hilander]

Belief's changing seems like the most logical explanation.  I doubt we ever know for sure since they didn't leave a note.

I think its amazing they did this 7000 years ago.  I have a feeling we don't give ancient people enough credit for what they were capable of.

[Swede]

Just a bit of detail - Gobekli Tepe is the earliest megalithic site currently documented. Earlier habitation structures have been verified, such as Monte Verde, Chile (circa 14,800 BP). While still a matter of ongoing research (and debate), the Molodova site (Ukraine) could present habitation structures that are notably older.

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[DKO]

Hilander, on 17 June 2012 - 11:57 PM, said:

Belief's changing seems like the most logical explanation.  I doubt we ever know for sure since they didn't leave a note.

I think its amazing they did this 7000 years ago.  I have a feeling we don't give ancient people enough credit for what they were capable of.

Yeah I agree we don't give enough credit to them. But I can see this thread turning into an Ancient Alien debate...

(Humans couldn't have possibly done that without machinery! )

[pbarosso]

chimaybliss, on 17 June 2012 - 10:35 PM, said:

Gobekli Tepe is the oldest man-made structure ever found so far by archaeology but the site has posed huge questions about our ancient past.  Perhaps most perplexing is why would our ancestors have actually buried the site?  Was it to protect it or to erase the memory and construction of it?  Check out new information about it:

http://goo.gl/Rbu28

correction it is said to be the oldest man made religious site ever made. there are older mounds and dwellings found all over the middle east. one of these is Jericho.

[chrome3d]

I think they wanted to preserve some of their legacy for generations to come. Especially if there was a lot of volcanic activity around the end of the ice age. Unfortunately too much time has passed and we don't know what it means anymore. Maybe more of it will be understood once the rest 90% of the site is revelead.

I would like to see some ancient sites that were not temples and such. it would be so cool if Göbekli Tepe rings were expensive state-of-the-art condos or hotel rooms. Stone Age 5 star hotel so to speak.

[Sir Wearer of Hats]

I think, given that there is evidence of both growth and downsizing on the site over it's centuries of use, a new more aggresively preached religion swept into the area displacing the original worshippers.

[constantine_337]

Wearer of Hats, on 18 June 2012 - 09:18 AM, said:

I think, given that there is evidence of both growth and downsizing on the site over it's centuries of use, a new more aggresively preached religion swept into the area displacing the original worshippers.

My thoughts exactly We shouldn't assume that it was the builders who buried the site. The worshipers could have been displaced as mentioned or moved on and some one else buried the site because it didn't agree with their religion.

[chrome3d]

If someone else than the original builders buried the place, then why they left the whole structure intact? It's all there under the soil ready to use if and when the soil is removed. Wasn't it the custom of those uncivilized ancient times that hordes of bloodthirsty and hairy ape looking hunter-gatherer vandals stormed to a new land, took all the valuables, raped the women and killed every one in sight and sold or kept the rest for slaves? At least that we are told. Then why would these hairy caveman brutes carefully bury the temple of their enemies instead of just smashing it to pieces in a mindless frenzy?

To me it looks that there was far too much effort in the temple burial, if the new tribe hated the previous religion or wanted to hide the original religion. Simple destroy method is far more efficient in that case.

Edited by chrome3d, 18 June 2012 - 12:41 PM.

[questionmark]

Gobeliki had served its purpose for longer than any religion had ever lasted and has ever lasted since, it was most probably buried out of respect for the past when the last priests had to give it up.

[the L]

Swede, on 18 June 2012 - 12:37 AM, said:

the Molodova site (Ukraine) could present habitation structures that are notably older.

What site is that?

Also hypothesis about monte verde are bad. At site they found 45 different plants used my Monteverdians and some of them originate 250 km. So these 30 people lived there and now and then one of them gone 250 km on long trip on foot to bring plants?
Furthermore hypothesis that they went to Chile near coast is based on speculation. They could got there with boat. Do you know did they found any bones there because that footprint maybe isnt from child. Maybe from hobbits?

[Ove]

chimaybliss, on 17 June 2012 - 10:35 PM, said:

Gobekli Tepe is the oldest man-made structure ever found so far by archaeology but the site has posed huge questions about our ancient past.  Perhaps most perplexing is why would our ancestors have actually buried the site?  Was it to protect it or to erase the memory and construction of it?  Check out new information about it:

http://goo.gl/Rbu28

I don't think it was abandoned and buried. I think other people with other beliefs took over the land at some point in time.

[Swede]

the L, on 18 June 2012 - 09:47 PM, said:

What site is that?

Also hypothesis about monte verde are bad. At site they found 45 different plants used my Monteverdians and some of them originate 250 km. So these 30 people lived there and now and then one of them gone 250 km on long trip on foot to bring plants?
Furthermore hypothesis that they went to Chile near coast is based on speculation. They could got there with boat. Do you know did they found any bones there because that footprint maybe isnt from child. Maybe from hobbits?

A quick brief. More information is readily available:

http://www.scribd.co...odova-I-Ukraine

http://www.sciencene...uilding_project

It should be noted that Demay's interpretation is still a matter of debate. For somewhat of a comparative, you may wish to consult Klein 1973.

The rest of your response does not make a great deal of sense. The site referenced is Monte Verde, Chile. The P. I. on this one was Tom Dillehay. You may wish to reference this site more closely.

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[Starflower]

I do like the hypothesis that a different religion supplanted the old one...it does make a great deal of sense.  But the job to bury the entire site as they did would have been enormous...all most as big a job as actually building the temples.  If destroying it was the intent of those who buried it, there would have been easier ways to do that.  It's possible that those who built it were witness to this new religion sweeping the land, and gathered together themselves to preserve what they had build by burying it.  They forsaw the inevitable fate of what they believed in, and sought to protect what they had created from those who would destroy it.