Journey to southeastern Turkey to witness Göbekli Tepe, the world's oldest known temple complex that rewrites human history. Dating back to 9500 BCE, this UNESCO World Heritage site predates Stonehenge by an astounding 6,000 years, featuring massive stone pillars carved with intricate animal reliefs that challenge everything we thought we knew about prehistoric civilizations. As featured on Expedition Unknown, this archaeological marvel offers visitors a chance to walk among humanity's earliest monumental architecture.
Göbekli Tepe is a Neolithic archaeological complex located in southeastern Turkey's Şanlıurfa Province, approximately 15 kilometers northeast of the city of Şanlıurfa. The site features massive T-shaped limestone pillars arranged in circular and oval structures, some weighing up to 10 tons and standing over 5 meters tall. Dating to approximately 9500 BCE, it predates Stonehenge by roughly 6,000 years and challenges conventional understanding of prehistoric societies' organizational capabilities. Josh Gates investigated the site to explore evidence of ancient skull rituals and examine claims about its construction, visiting the ongoing excavation that has revealed only a fraction of the estimated 200 pillars buried beneath the surface.
Construction of the earliest circular structures at Göbekli Tepe, making it one of the world's oldest known temple complexes
Site appears to have been deliberately buried, preserving the structures for millennia
Site first surveyed by University of Chicago and Istanbul University, though significance not yet recognized
German archaeologist Klaus Schmidt begins systematic excavations, recognizing the site's true age and importance
Göbekli Tepe inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Site
Josh Gates investigates for Expedition Unknown S15E07
Göbekli Tepe has fundamentally altered archaeological understanding of Neolithic societies. The site's discovery demonstrated that complex monumental architecture and organized religion emerged before the development of agriculture and permanent settlements, reversing the traditional narrative that farming led to civilization. Mainstream archaeologists believe the site functioned as a ceremonial or ritual center where scattered hunter-gatherer groups periodically gathered, perhaps coordinating the massive construction efforts through seasonal labor.
The modified human skull fragments discovered at Göbekli Tepe provide evidence of complex mortuary practices. These skulls show deliberate carving and modification, suggesting ancestor veneration or other ritual uses that indicate sophisticated belief systems. The site's builders decorated the T-shaped pillars with carved reliefs of animals including foxes, bulls, scorpions, and vultures, creating what some researchers interpret as symbolic narratives or cosmological representations.
Genuine archaeological debate centers on questions about the site's exact function, the social organization required for its construction, and why it was deliberately buried around 8000 BCE. Some researchers propose it served as a gathering place for ritual feasting, while others suggest it may have been a proto-temple for emerging religious practices. The deliberate burial remains unexplained, though theories range from ritual closure to environmental changes forcing abandonment.
Gates' investigation contributed to public understanding by bringing viewers directly to the active excavation and consulting with archaeologists working on-site. The episode emphasized that while Göbekli Tepe's age and sophistication are extraordinary, the construction methods remain within the capabilities of organized human labor using stone tools and knowledge of leverage and engineering principles available to Neolithic peoples. By examining the evidence of skull rituals and construction techniques, the episode demonstrated how archaeological science explains the site's mysteries without requiring explanations beyond human ingenuity and social organization.
Göbekli Tepe predates pottery, writing, the wheel, and even the development of agriculture, yet its builders created intricate stone carvings and moved pillars weighing up to 10 tons.
Archaeologists estimate that less than 5% of the site has been excavated, with ground-penetrating radar suggesting approximately 200 pillars remain buried beneath the surface.
The site appears to have been deliberately and carefully buried around 8000 BCE, with fill dirt containing animal bones and stone tools, preserving the structures for millennia.
Some of the T-shaped pillars feature carved human-like arms and hands, suggesting they may represent stylized human figures or deities.
Göbekli Tepe is open to visitors and features walkways and protective shelters that allow viewing of the excavated structures while preserving the site. A modern visitors' center provides context and displays artifacts, though the majority of the site remains unexcavated. Visitors should check current access conditions, as ongoing archaeological work may occasionally affect viewing areas.
Şanlıurfa, approximately 15 kilometers southwest of the site.
Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) offer the most comfortable temperatures for visiting this exposed hilltop site, avoiding the intense summer heat of southeastern Turkey. Winter months can be cool and occasionally wet, though crowds are minimal.
Egypt
Gates has investigated multiple ancient Egyptian sites that, like Göbekli Tepe, challenge conventional timelines and demonstrate sophisticated prehistoric engineering capabilities.
Angkor Archaeological Complex
The Angkor temples, like Göbekli Tepe, represent massive stone construction projects requiring extensive social organization and labor coordination by pre-industrial societies.
Holy Land
The Holy Land region contains numerous archaeological sites from similar time periods where Gates has explored the intersection of ancient history, ritual practices, and early human civilization.
Best time to visit: Visit between April and October when weather conditions are most favorable for exploring the outdoor archaeological site.
Travel tip: Book guided tours in advance as daily visitor numbers are limited to protect this fragile UNESCO World Heritage site.