Scientists Discovered the World’s Oldest Calendar Carved in Ancient Temple of Göbekli Tepe

12,000-year-old carvings in Göbekli Tepe, southern Turkey, may be the oldest solar calendar in history. They depict a comet strike that triggered the origin of civilization – researchers suggest. The carving could be the world’s oldest calendar, used to track time passage and the seasons’ turning.

Even 12,000 years ago, humans were interested in astronomy. At that time, people were curious enough not only to observe the shining objects in the sky but also to effectively track days, lunar cycles and seasons. It’s no wonder, as all their resources (and consequently – their lives) depended on these changes.

Mysterious Carvings in Ancient Temple of Göbekli Tepe

Göbekli Tepe is a Neolithic archaeological site located in modern Turkey – ancient settlement inhabited from c. 9500 to at least 8000 BCE. It is famous for its large circular structures that contain massive stone pillars, which rank among the world’s oldest known megaliths. These pillars intrigue scientists, as many of them are decorated with anthropomorphic details and sculptural reliefs of wild animals. These amazing details are rich in symbolism, yet their full meaning remains elusive, with experts continuing to unravel their significance.

Finding a Key to Some Symbols

Recent studies published by Martin B. Sweatman – researcher from the University of Edinburgh’s School of Engineering – in Time and Mind suggest that some of the carvings may represent an ancient calendar. An analysis of V-shaped symbols carved onto pillars at the site has found that each V symbolises a single day. This interpretation has enabled researchers to count a solar calendar of 365 days on one of the pillars, consisting of 12 lunar months plus 11 extra days.

The summer solstice is also depicted in the carvings, marked as a distinct, special day. It is represented by a V worn around the neck of a bird-like creature, believed to symbolise the summer solstice constellation at the time. Nearby statues, possibly representing deities, have also been discovered with similar V-shaped markings around their necks. 

The research also seems to confirm that ancient people were capable of recording dates at least 10,000 years before the phenomenon was documented by Hipparchus in Ancient Greece around 150 BC.

Comet Strike that triggered civilisations

The carvings at Göbekli Tepe may have been created by ancient people to record the date when comet fragments struck Earth around 13,000 years ago. This comet impact is believed to have triggered a mini-ice age lasting over 1,200 years, leading to the extinction of many large animal species. It may also have triggered significant changes in lifestyle and agriculture, which are thought to be linked to the emergence of civilisation shortly thereafter.

One of the pillars at the site appears to depict the Taurid meteor stream, which lasted 27 days and originated from the directions of Aquarius and Pisces and is considered the source of the comet fragments.

The research findings on the ancient carvings at Göbekli Tepe are undoubtedly of great significance to archaeoastronomy and will help scientists understand how people perceived the world in those times. Furthermore, these discoveries may prompt a re-evaluation of our understanding of ancient societies and the origins of civilisation.

Dr. Martin B. Sweatman said: “The inhabitants of Göbekli Tepe were keen sky observers, likely due to the comet strike that devastated their world. This event may have triggered the development of civilization by inspiring new religious beliefs and advancements in agriculture to survive the cold climate. Their carvings might be the first steps towards writing, created millennia later.”