SOME 12,000 YEARS AGO ...

Dec 23, 2025

Göbeklitepe is a 12,000-year-old ceremonial site carved into a stone hillside in southeastern Turkey. When it was first discovered, it surprised archaeologists because it predates cities, farming communities, and most of what we think of as organized civilization. Now, even more intriguing details are being uncovered — including pillars with human-like faces carved into them. And there’s likely much more to learn, because only about 5 percent of the site has been excavated so far.

This video from the Amazing Earth YouTube channel looks at Göbeklitepe and the nearby Taş Tepeler sites, and what they might mean for our understanding of early human culture.