Megaliths - Early Stone Complexes in Eastern Turkey

Early Stone Complexes in Eastern Turkey

At a number of sites in eastern Turkey, large ceremonial complexes from the 9th millennium BC have been discovered. They belong to the incipient phases of agriculture and animal husbandry. Large circular structures involving carved megalithic orthostats are a typical feature, e.g. at Nevali Cori and Göbekli Tepe. Although these structures are the most ancient megalithic structures known so far, it is not clear that any of the European Megalithic traditions (see below) are actually derived from them. At Göbekli Tepe four stone circles have been excavated from an estimated 20. Some measure up to 30 metres across. The stones carry carved reliefs of boars, foxes, lions, birds, snakes and scorpions.

Read more about this topic:  Megaliths

Famous quotes containing the words early, stone, eastern and/or turkey:

    Parents ... are sometimes a bit of a disappointment to their children. They don’t fulfil the promise of their early years.
    Anthony Powell (b. 1905)

    Why was I not made of stone like these?
    Sonya Levien (1895–1960)

    Midway the lake we took on board two manly-looking middle-aged men.... I talked with one of them, telling him that I had come all this distance partly to see where the white pine, the Eastern stuff of which our houses are built, grew, but that on this and a previous excursion into another part of Maine I had found it a scarce tree; and I asked him where I must look for it. With a smile, he answered that he could hardly tell me.
    Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)

    In the land of turkeys in turkey weather
    At the base of the statue, we go round and round.
    What a beautiful history, beautiful surprise!
    Monsieur is on horseback. The horse is covered with mice.
    Wallace Stevens (1879–1955)