Göbekli Tepe, located near Şanlıurfa in Southeastern Anatolia, Turkey, is an archaeological treasure dating back to approximately 9000 BCE, during the Pre-Pottery Neolithic A era. Discovered by Klaus Schmidt through excavations conducted between 1995 and 2014, this site represents the earliest example of monumental architecture created by humans.
Featuring numerous limestone pillars, many decorated with distinctive T-shaped motifs, Göbekli Tepe has fascinated archaeoastronomers who suggest that these pillars might have had an astronomical purpose.
Due to its immense historical value, Göbekli Tepe was officially designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2018, highlighting its cultural and archaeological importance.
In Eastern Turkey lies the impressive Mount Nemrut Tumulus, built by King Antiochus I Theos of Commagene in the 1st century BC. Established around 190 BC, this kingdom was strategically located between Anatolia and Syria. Known as the "Mountain of the Gods," the tumulus features statues depicting gods from various religious backgrounds, including Greek, Armenian, and Mesopotamian traditions.
Acknowledging its outstanding cultural heritage, Mount Nemrut was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1987, cementing its reputation as a site of exceptional historical and artistic significance.