Göbekli Tepe Buried Enclosure D Central Pillars
Chalcolithic to Early Bronze Age (4500–2000 BCE)·Chalcolithic–EBA·🇹🇷 Şanlıurfa, Göbekli Tepe, Turkey
About
About Göbekli Tepe Buried Enclosure D Central Pillars
Göbekli Tepe Buried Enclosure D Central Pillars in Şanlıurfa, Göbekli Tepe, Turkey is a Chalcolithic to Early Bronze Age (4500–2000 BCE) tell attributed to Chalcolithic–EBA. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal mound 220 × 180 m and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 37.2230N 38.9220E controls access to Şanlıurfa resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey tell for Şanlıurfa, Göbekli Tepe, illustrating Chalcolithic–EBA construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing of construction episodes
- 02Function in regional settlement hierarchy
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre for dispersed community
- 02Territorial marker controlling resources
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 3800 BCE initial, major 2600 BCE
- Period
- Chalcolithic to Early Bronze Age (4500–2000 BCE)
- Culture
- Chalcolithic–EBA
- Purpose
- Multi-period settlement mound with stratified urban sequence
- Rediscovered
- 1963 survey
- Excavation
- Buried
c. 3800 BCE initial, major 2600 BCE
Initial construction of Göbekli Tepe Buried Enclosure D Central Pillars main structure
c. 1903
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically
1963–2008
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Göbekli Tepe Buried Enclosure D Central Pillars) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
37.2230° N · 38.9220° E · 101 m · 3 mapped features
Göbekli Tepe Buried Enclosure D Central Pillars — Main Structure
structurePrincipal tell — Mound 220 × 180 m with diagnostic masonry/panel
37.2238° N · 38.9229° EGöbekli Tepe Buried Enclosure D Central Pillars — Ancillary Complex
complexAncillary settlement debris and ceramics surrounding main feature
37.2220° N · 38.9213° EGöbekli Tepe Buried Enclosure D Central Pillars — Peripheral Feature
outlierPeripheral feature with outlier deposit and burial
37.2245° N · 38.9232° E