Göbekli Tepe

Karl W. Luckert not only explains the meanings of Göbeklitepe's symbols and its architectural structure; he also presents a study of human history by examining the tools and equipment, life tendencies, mysteries, religious beliefs, and behavioral patterns of the hunter-gatherer society of the Neolithic age.

The Göbeklitepe excavations revealed the religious structure of the previously unknown "Neolithic revolution." This cult was established almost 12,000 years ago in the north of the Fertile Crescent, i.e., Mesopotamia, by hunter-shamans, flint miners, and the priests of weapon-makers. Thanks to this advancement in weapon manufacturing, food became abundant, at least temporarily, the number of hunters increased, and the number of game animals decreased. To prevent this decrease in animal numbers, a priestly cult specializing in the reproduction of life developed. As a result of this priestly class's reasoning that control over plants and animals could be established, domestication was greatly encouraged; the resulting "over-domestication" formed the first step of our civilization.