The world is full of ancient wonders. Places like the pyramids of Egypt and Stonehenge in the English countryside attract millions of visitors each year, but there is one building far older than any of them that many people have never even heard of.
It’s located in southeastern Turkey and is believed to be the oldest structure ever built by humans. Even now, experts don’t fully understand who built it or why. The site is called Göbekli Tepe, and it’s been dated to around 11,500 years ago. That makes it more than twice as old as Stonehenge, and far older than the first known cities or written language.
For years, archaeologists believed Göbekli Tepe was just a place of worship, where small groups of hunter-gatherers would gather to perform rituals. But new discoveries suggest something much bigger.
According to archaeologist Lee Clare, who works with the German Archaeological Institute and spoke to CNN, the evidence now shows the site was “not just a place for rituals, but also a home for early communities”.
Thousands of grinding stones have been found at the site; the kind used to turn grain into flour.
Tools like blades and scrapers have also been uncovered, along with a system for collecting and storing rainwater.
These findings suggest people lived at the site and used it daily, not just for special gatherings.
Göbekli Tepe is made up of large stone circles and pillars, carved with images of animals like snakes, foxes and wild boars.
The stones are shaped like a “T” and some weigh up to 10 tonnes. They were carved from local limestone using stone tools, long before metal was invented.
The artwork mostly shows animals, not people. Bones found at the site suggest those living there hunted wild game and possibly shared meals during large gatherings.
The discovery of permanent buildings alongside ceremonial spaces has led to new theories about how and when humans first began forming organised societies. It may mean civilisation started earlier than we thought.
The site was first identified in the 1960s but wasn’t fully explored until the 1990s when German archaeologist Klaus Schmidt began large-scale excavations.
Today, Göbekli Tepe is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A shelter now covers the main excavation area and access is limited to help protect the fragile stones.
Only around 10% of the site is believed to have been uncovered so far, and nearby locations like Karahan Tepe may reveal even more.