The Gobeklitepe Archaeological Site is located approximately 18 kilometers northeast of Sanliurfa, near the village of Orencik. The site was first identified during a surface survey conducted in 1963 in collaboration with Istanbul University and the University of Chicago. However, its true significance began to emerge after systematic excavations started in 1994, revealing Gobeklitepe as a ritual center dating back nearly 12,000 years.
With its location, scale, dating, and monumental architecture, Gobeklitepe is recognized as an unparalleled sacred site of the Neolithic period. Having remained untouched within its natural landscape for millennia, the site continues to yield exceptionally important archaeological finds.
A distinctive shared feature can be observed in the construction of these Stone Age temples: they are encircled by T-shaped pillars, and at the center stand two monumental T-shaped pillars facing one another. Due to the carved depictions of arms and hands, these pillars are believed to represent stylized human figures. The surfaces of the pillars are enriched with animal reliefs and abstract symbols, offering profound insight into the nature and animal symbolism of the era.
Among the animal figures carved on the pillars are snakes, bulls, foxes, wild boars, cranes, and vultures. Each is thought to have held a distinct meaning within the ritual beliefs of Neolithic communities. For instance, the snake is often interpreted as a symbol of the cycle of death and rebirth, while the vulture is believed to represent the ascent of the soul into the sky. These motifs suggest that Gobeklitepe was not merely a gathering site, but also a sacred space connected to belief systems surrounding the cycle of life and death.
Inspired by the carved animal reliefs and abstract symbols on Gobeklitepe's T-shaped pillars, the Gobeklitepe Cult Object reinterprets this extraordinary heritage through contemporary craftsmanship. The Gobeklitepe Archaeological Site was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List in 2011 and was officially inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2018.
The Gobeklitepe Cult Object is crafted from handmade glass and shaped using the pate de verre technique. The base is made from Taurus black marble, completing the piece with a powerful and timeless presence.
Gobeklitepe Relief Glass Object
Length: 17 cm
Width: 8 cm
Height: 25 cm
