The Archaeological Park of the Colosseum has unveiled “Göbeklitepe: The Enigma of a Sacred Place“, a landmark exhibition inviting visitors to explore one of the world’s most ancient and intriguing archaeological sites. Located in Şanlıurfa, southeastern Türkiye, Göbeklitepe is thought to be among the earliest monumental structures built by humanity, dating back more than 11,000 years. The exhibition will be open to the public from October 25, 2024, to March 2, 2025, offering an immersive journey into the origins of civilization.
The inauguration ceremony on October 24, 2024, featured distinguished figures, including Türkiye’s Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism, Gökhan Yazgı, and Alfonsina Russo, Director of the Archaeological Park of the Colosseum. This collaboration between Italy and Türkiye highlights the significance of international partnerships in promoting and safeguarding archaeological heritage worldwide.
Göbeklitepe, a Neolithic site, has reshaped historical understanding of human society’s shift from hunter-gatherer groups to agricultural communities. Its iconic T-shaped pillars, adorned with enigmatic symbols and animal carvings, reveal the social complexity and ritual practices of early human civilizations. Deputy Minister Yazgı emphasized this, stating, “Göbeklitepe and the broader Taş Tepeler region it belongs to present the very first monuments humanity has ever built. This area, with its various building structures, is a witness to the beginnings of sedentary life, one of the most important transformations of human history. We are pleased to display some of the region’s findings at another majestic human heritage site, the famous Colosseum. I sincerely thank our Italian counterparts for their vision of promoting and preserving humanity’s historical heritage.”
The exhibition provides a captivating, multimedia-rich experience. Visitors can engage with 3D reconstructions, showcasing the lives and surroundings of this ancient civilization. The display includes replicas of Göbeklitepe’s monumental pillars and intricate reconstructions of its circular structures, brought to life with cutting-edge visualization technology.
Curated by a team of Italian and international experts, including Alfonsina Russo, Roberta Alteri, Daniele Fortuna, and Federica Rinaldi, the exhibition is produced in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Türkiye and the Embassy of Türkiye in Rome. This initiative is part of broader international celebrations aimed at raising public awareness around the importance of preserving global archaeological heritage.
In addition to its displays, the exhibition offers interactive elements like virtual tours and video insights, allowing viewers to explore Göbeklitepe from multiple perspectives. It will also host thematic conferences and seminars featuring experts in archaeology and art history. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2018, Göbeklitepe continues to fascinate archaeologists and visitors alike, offering rare insights into the origins of religious practices and monumental architecture. The exhibition at the Colosseum provides a remarkable opportunity for the Italian public to engage with this discovery, which has rewritten much of what was previously known about early human societies.
