Göbekli Tepe and Karahan Tepe

How Neolithic Temples Recorded Earth’s Violent Cycles

Göbekli Tepe and Karahan Tepe, two of the most enigmatic archaeological sites in Turkey, may hold clues to ancient civilizations' awareness of cyclical geophysical events. These sites, dating back more than 12,000 years, were built at the end of the last Ice Age, a period marked by dramatic climate shifts and possible cosmic events. The Younger Dryas period (circa 10,900–9,700 BCE), a sudden return to glacial conditions, coincided with the estimated construction of these sites, suggesting that their builders may have been responding to global environmental changes.

One theory proposes that Göbekli Tepe and Karahan Tepe were constructed as sanctuaries or observatories to monitor cosmic and geophysical cycles. Dr. Martin B. Sweatman suggested that carvings on Göbekli Tepe’s T-shaped pillars, including depictions of animals and symbols, might encode astronomical knowledge or records of past cataclysms. His work aligns with the Younger Dryas Impact Hypothesis, which argues that a comet impact event around 10,850 BCE triggered the Younger Dryas cooling event. This theory, originally proposed by Dr. Richard Firestone, Dr. James Kennett, and Dr. Allen West, suggested that fragments of a disintegrating comet impacted North America and other regions, causing climate disruptions and mass extinctions. Some researchers believe the Vulture Stone (Pillar 43) at Göbekli Tepe may depict a record of this cosmic event.

Geological evidence also suggests that these sites may have experienced seismic activity over millennia. Turkey lies in a region prone to earthquakes, and the deliberate burial of Göbekli Tepe remains an unsolved mystery. Some researchers, such as Klaus Schmidt, the German archaeologist who led early excavations at Göbekli Tepe, hypothesized that it was intentionally buried by its builders, possibly to preserve its knowledge for future generations or due to shifting environmental conditions.

Karahan Tepe, though less studied, shares architectural and symbolic elements with Göbekli Tepe, reinforcing the idea that these sites functioned as part of a larger network designed to observe or commemorate major geophysical cycles. Some researchers, such as Dr. Eylem Özdoğan, propose that Karahan Tepe’s carvings and humanoid figures may represent an earlier phase of Neolithic spirituality. The possibility that these ancient sites were linked to knowledge of past disasters suggests a sophisticated awareness of Earth’s dynamic and sometimes violent changes.

Time Capsules of the Apocalypse?

Göbekli Tepe’s T-shaped megalithic pillars, some adorned with detailed carvings of animals and symbols, may encode information about past astronomical events. Some researchers, such as those analyzing the Vulture Stone (Pillar 43), suggest that the engravings depict star constellations and record a cataclysmic comet impact that could have triggered the Younger Dryas period (~10,900 BCE). This theory aligns with the idea that ancient civilizations observed and documented major cosmic disruptions that shaped their environment.

A particularly intriguing mystery is the deliberate burial of Göbekli Tepe. Unlike other ancient sites that fell into ruin over time, this one was systematically covered with sediment around 8,000 BCE, an act that suggests intentional preservation. Theories suggest that its builders may have buried it to protect it from a looming catastrophe, such as an anticipated cosmic impact, solar storms, or climate changes. Others propose that it was sealed as a time capsule, preserving knowledge for future generations who might experience similar events.

Karahan Tepe, featuring carvings, stone circles, and subterranean structures, shares architectural similarities with Göbekli Tepe, reinforcing the idea that both sites were part of an ancient network of knowledge centers. If they were indeed built in response to past cataclysms, they may represent some of the oldest evidence of humanity’s attempt to understand and survive Earth’s cyclical upheavals.

Did Göbekli Tepe’s Builders Predict Cosmic Doom?

Göbekli Tepe and Karahan Tepe may have served as astronomical observatories, tracking cosmic cycles and warning of potential cataclysms. The precise alignments of these megalithic structures suggest that their builders had advanced knowledge of celestial movements, possibly linking them to cycles of destruction caused by cosmic events such as solar activity, comet impacts, and planetary precession.

One of the most compelling pieces of evidence supporting this theory is the Vulture Stone (Pillar 43) at Göbekli Tepe, which some researchers interpret as a star map documenting a significant cosmic event. Certain carvings on the pillar resemble known constellations, and some scholars, including those studying the Younger Dryas Impact Hypothesis, propose that it records a comet impact around 10,900 BCE, an event believed to have triggered sudden climate change and widespread extinctions. If true, this suggests that the site’s builders not only observed astronomical cycles but also recorded catastrophic events for future generations.

Both Göbekli Tepe and Karahan Tepe may also be connected to the precessional cycle of the Earth, which affects the position of stars over time. Ancient civilisations often tracked this cycle to predict long-term cosmic changes, believing that shifts in celestial alignments signaled impending disasters. Solar activity, such as extreme solar flares or geomagnetic storms, could also have been observed and recorded, potentially explaining why ancient mythologies frequently associate celestial events with destruction and rebirth.

If these sites functioned as warning systems, they reinforce the idea that early civilizations recognized and recorded patterns of cosmic upheaval. Their alignment with celestial bodies may indicate an attempt to track and predict cycles of destruction, ensuring that knowledge of these events survived even after civilizations perished.

Recent Research and Experiments

Göbekli Tepe and Karahan Tepe are two of the most significant prehistoric sites, believed to date back to around 9600 BCE. While traditionally studied for their archaeological and cultural significance, recent research has explored the possibility of their connection to cyclical geophysical events and ancient astronomical knowledge.

Several studies have examined whether these sites served as observatories for tracking cosmic cycles. Some researchers suggest that the carvings and symbols at Göbekli Tepe may represent astronomical alignments, possibly recording events like solar cycles, equinoxes, or even cometary impacts. A study in 2024 proposed that some enclosures at the site functioned as calendrical markers, potentially indicating early forms of timekeeping based on celestial movements.

At Karahan Tepe, ongoing excavations have revealed T-shaped pillars similar to Göbekli Tepe, along with intricate carvings. Some researchers argue that Karahan Tepe might predate Göbekli Tepe, providing further insights into the transition from hunter-gatherer societies to early settled civilizations. Geophysical surveys conducted at these sites have uncovered subterranean structures, indicating that both sites may have been part of a larger network of ritual centers.

While there is no conclusive evidence linking these sites to cyclical geophysical events such as pole shifts or cosmic cataclysms, alternative researchers have speculated that they could be linked to global disasters, possibly encoded within their structures.

What do the enigmatic structures and carvings at Göbekli Tepe and Karahan Tepe reveal about the ancient builders’ knowledge of cosmic cycles and their response to cataclysmic events?