The First Temple in Minor Asia: Gobeklitepe

This article examines Gobeklitepe, the first temple built in Minor Asia, dating back to Neolithic Period. This temple is one of the oldest temples of mankind, according to the archaeologists. Gobeklitepe provides us with crucial information about the religious beliefs of hunter-gatherers – lacking urban life and agricultural production. This temple shows us that archaic people did not lead a life away from religion and beliefs, instead it proved that they had beliefs and constructed temples to observe their beliefs and employed rich religious symbols. Gobeklitepe is a sign that people started to build a temple first to meet their religious needs, even before adapting a settled life, constructing houses, domesticating animals, and starting agricultural production.