Preview of Oldrover's blog at TravelPod. Read the full blog here: http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/oldrover/1/1246729455/tpod.html This blog preview was made by TravelPod using the TripAdvisor™ TripWow slideshow creator. Entry from: Sanliurfa, Turkey Entry Title: "Urfa/Sanlıurfa: For Archaeology: Gobekli Tep" Entry: "I returned to Urfa expressly to revisit the archaeological dig site of Göbekli Tepe. My first visit was in May of last year (2008). This was my writing about the first visit: I was going to come straight to Mardin yesterday. But another guest at the Lizbon Konuk Evi started showing me photos he had taken the day before when Aziz had taken him and another guest to an active archaeological dig site, Göbekli Tepe (while I went to Harran). I also noted, this late, that I had fairly recently read about Göbekli in the New York Times (I think) before leaving home, and had made a note of it on my map of Turkey. So, before coming to Mardin I decided to have Aziz run my out to Göbekli. The Australian fellow also decided to go out again. Well, the Wikipedia entry (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gobekli_T epe) says, "It is currently considered the oldest known shrine or temple complex in the world, and the planet's oldest known example of monumental architecture." And it is something to see--if you like this stuff. For the dig site is small, and even from outside the fenced-off dig, one is quite close to these fresh discoveries. So one can see the artifacts in situ, I think the term, rather than in a museum. Unfortunately for me (not for the site) the guard would not permit the Aussie fellow, David, and I to enter the dig area to take close up pictures of the reliefs--though David had been able to do so the day before. The last statement, about seeing actual archaeological elements in place as the earth is removed from around them, still holds true. No work was in progress at this second visit. Because of the summer heat, digging takes place in the spring and fall. But in the intervening year two seasons of work have shown much progress, especially in one central area. It is now much more deeper than in May 2008. (Also, the site's importance to archaeology has increased greatly. A year ago if one Googled Gobekli Tepe only a handful of websites would be listed. At the moment of this writing--let me check--there are 76,400 citations. Two are for articles in American magazines: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history-a rchaeology/gobekli-tepe.html (November, 2008) and, http://www.archaeology.org/0811/abstrac ts/turkey.html (December, 2008) So, I don't have much to say about the site and its relevance, ectcetera, that isn't said by others elsewhere, and better put. Also, the pictures are much more descriptive than mine (Though mine are more recent, and show the deeper penetration of the main site.) So I'll stay with my experience of getting there. But, I strongly recommend reading one or more of these articles, as this is just one of the most unique and exciting archaeological digs taking place in the world these days. It has relevance to anyone interested, in the long history of western culture, because, really, it all began here. Between last year's visit to Urfa and this visit I lost my Lonely Planet guide book, which I mostly use to choose accommodations and learn about transportation issues. My newer publication has different accommodation listings, not now mentioning the place I stayed at a little over a year ago. Not knowing why for the delisting, and a current listing had a hotel much closer to the bus station, I just decided to go to the hotel. The temperature was above 100, so I was all for a shorter walk, and probably better circumstances (except for meeting people). After checking in and having a shower the trick was to figure out how to get to Göbekli Tepe, which lies outside of the city not really too far, but off the beaten track, so to speak. Urfa is a very popular touristic desination for Turks. But it has no official tourist information office. Or at least none that I could determine. The LP book mentioned one fellow, a tour guide who speaks English and serves as a source of information. So I went to visit him. He stated a price of 100TL (about US$65). Well, that was too much for me! After all, the place is just a few miles ..." Read and see more at: http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/oldrover/1/1246729455/tpod.html Photos from this trip: 1. "Overview of Main Dig" 2. "Main Deep Dig, View 2" 3. "Main Deep Dig, View 1" 4. "The Creatures of 11,000 Years Ago" 5. "Room for Lots of Speculation" 6. "Newly Uncovered" 7. "Stelle View 1" 8. "Stelle View 2" 9. "Stelle View 3" 10. "Driver Gets an Effectionate Kiss" See this TripWow and more at http://tripwow.tripadvisor.com/tripwow/ta-00bb-c490-01ee?ytv4=1

• published: 11 Dec 2010
• views: 3286