Ancient Solar Calendar Found in Turkey: A Fascinating Discovery
Prehistoric peoples may have created the world’s oldest lunisolar calendar thousands of years ago to mark a calamitous comet strike, according to a new study. That conclusion is based on a new interpretation of carvings on stone pillars at the 12,000-year-old site of Göbekli Tepe in Türkiye. Martin Sweatman, a professor at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, analyzed a series of V-shaped symbols on a pillar at the site. Sweatman believes each of these shapes represents a single day, with one such pillar counting up to 365. “We can interpret these V-shaped symbols and little box symbols on the pillar to be counting the days of the year like a calendar,” he says. A bird-like creature on one of the pillars is also adorned with a V-symbol around its neck and could represent the summer solstice. In total, the pillar recorded 12 lunar months, Sweatman, who published his theory earlier this year in the journal Time & Mind, says. If accurate, it could represent the first and oldest known example of a lunisolar calendar that notes the phases of the moon and the position of the sun in the sky, according to a statement.
### The Discovery of Göbekli Tepe
Göbekli Tepe, meaning potbelly hill, is a historical site dating back to 9,600 and 8,200 B.C.E. during the Pre-Pottery Neolithic era. The site contains megalithic temple-like structures and T-shaped pillars constructed by hunter-gatherers who left behind carved depictions of wild animals such as lions, gazelles, vultures, and snakes. This discovery sheds light on the advanced knowledge and skills of ancient civilizations that were previously underestimated.
### The Younger Dryas Impact Hypothesis
The Younger Dryas Impact Hypothesis suggests that a comet strike 13,000 years ago, around 10,850 B.C.E., may have triggered a series of catastrophic events, including a 1000-year-long ice age and the extinction of many large animals like mammoths. This event marked a significant turning point in human civilization, potentially leading to the development of agriculture and religious or cult-like practices. The interpretation of Göbekli Tepe as a commemoration of this comet strike challenges traditional beliefs and highlights the complexity of ancient societies.
### Göbekli Tepe: A Center of Innovation
The site of Göbekli Tepe has long been considered one of the world’s oldest religious sites, with its temple-like structures and intricate carvings suggesting a place of ritual and worship. However, recent discoveries indicate that Göbekli Tepe was not just a religious complex but also a thriving settlement. The presence of human remains, flint tools, and a life-size statue of a boar crafted from limestone suggests a dynamic community that engaged in various activities beyond religious practices.
Sweatman’s interpretation of Göbekli Tepe as an astronomical observatory challenges conventional views of ancient societies and their understanding of celestial phenomena. The alignment of the pillars and carvings with astronomical events such as solstices and equinoxes indicates a sophisticated knowledge of astronomy and a deep connection to the natural world. This newfound insight into the capabilities of prehistoric peoples sheds light on their ingenuity and intellectual pursuits.
In conclusion, the discovery of an ancient solar calendar at Göbekli Tepe opens up new avenues for understanding the complexity and sophistication of early human societies. By reevaluating traditional interpretations and exploring innovative theories, researchers like Martin Sweatman are uncovering the rich tapestry of ancient civilizations and their remarkable achievements. Göbekli Tepe stands as a testament to the ingenuity and creativity of our ancestors, inviting us to reconsider our perceptions of the past and embrace the complexity of human history.