On Göbeklitepe

Ancient mysteries captivate our imagination, but what happens when those mysteries are deliberately kept buried? That's the disturbing reality facing Göbekli Tepe, humanity's oldest known temple complex and perhaps our most important archaeological site.

A Temple That Shouldn't Exist

Located in modern-day Turkey, Göbekli Tepe rewrote human history when it was discovered in 1995. The site features sophisticated T-shaped limestone pillars, some reaching heights of 20 feet and weighing up to 10 metric tons, intricately carved with 3D reliefs of animals and abstract symbols. The most staggering fact? These structures were built approximately 11,600 years ago—making them nearly 7,000 years older than Stonehenge.

This discovery challenged everything we thought we knew about prehistoric human civilization. According to conventional archaeology, such monumental architecture shouldn't have been possible for hunter-gatherers who hadn't yet developed agriculture. Yet there it stands, covering an area equivalent to 90 football fields, demonstrating sophisticated engineering and artistic capabilities that weren't supposed to exist for millennia.

The 5% Problem

Here's where the story takes a troubling turn. Despite being our most significant window into human prehistory, only 5% of Göbekli Tepe has been excavated. Let that sink in: 95% of humanity's oldest temple complex remains buried, and according to recent developments, it may stay that way for generations to come.

In 2016, a 20-year partnership was established between Turkey's Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Doğuş Group, a private conglomerate, making them the "sole partner" for excavations and tourism management at the site. Since then, progress has virtually halted. Of the estimated 200 pillars detected by ground-penetrating radar, only 72 have been unearthed—and this number hasn't significantly changed in years.

Infrastructure Over Investigation

Rather than continuing large-scale excavations, authorities have prioritized tourism infrastructure—often at the expense of the site itself. Concrete walkways, protective roofs with intrusive support beams, and even orchards have been installed directly over unexcavated areas. These "improvements" have effectively sealed off access to vast portions of the site.

The controversy deepened when the widow of Klaus Schmidt, the original lead archaeologist at Göbekli Tepe, publicly denounced the destruction. She reported witnessing the use of heavy equipment and the installation of concrete structures that damaged ancient ruins. When these allegations surfaced, the Ministry's response was to deny the use of concrete—despite photographic evidence to the contrary.

The World Economic Forum Connection

Perhaps most puzzling is the involvement of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in the site's management. The partnership announcement was made at the WEF's annual meeting in Davos, with the CEO of Doğuş Group—a WEF member—presenting. This raises questions about why a global economic organization has influence over one of humanity's most important archaeological sites.

The "Future Generations" Excuse

Current site authorities have made the remarkable claim that full excavation should be left for "future generations," potentially 150 years from now. They cite the need for "less destructive" future technologies—an argument that rings hollow given that current archaeological techniques are more than capable of safely excavating the site.

Free Göbekli Tepe

The time has come for the international community to demand transparency and action. The current situation at Göbekli Tepe represents nothing less than a crime against our shared human heritage. Every unexcavated pillar potentially holds crucial information about our species' earliest organized societies, religious beliefs, and technological capabilities.

What can be done?

1. International Pressure: The archaeological community must unite in calling for renewed excavations.

2. Public Awareness: Share information about the site's importance and current situation.

3. Academic Oversight: Push for international collaboration and supervision of future excavations.

4. Transparency: Demand clear explanations for decisions affecting the site's investigation.

The pillars of Göbekli Tepe tell a story—one that belongs not to any single nation or organization, but to all of humanity. Whether they document an ancient calendar system, record a civilization-ending cataclysm, or hold other secrets entirely, we have a right to know. The longer we wait, the more we risk losing to time and the elements.

We must act now to ensure these ancient stones can speak their secrets to our generation, not just to some hypothetical future one.