Gobekli Tepe

Gobekli Tepe far exceeded our expectations. It was absolutely amazing. As we turned off the main road from Harran to Urfa and made our way up the winding country road to the 'potbelly' mountain, the tallest peak for miles around, it was golden hour and the pink setting sun shone on the yellow corn fields and it was magical. This is the archaeology site that changed history: a series of monumental circular buildings that date back to the Neolithic period, that predate the pyramids by far. It proves signs of advanced civilisation much earlier than we originally thought. This year was branded 'the year of gobekli tepe' by the Turkish government. Investment in the site had been huge here: excavation was still taking place, there was a huge visitors' centre, lots of written information and a shaded raised walkway which surrounded the main ruins.Read more