Göbekli Tepe in Turkey recognised as the world's oldest temple dating to 9600 BCE

Exam-focused facts from the 18 March 2026 current affairs briefing.

Key facts

Göbekli Tepe, located in southern Turkey, is considered the oldest temple in the world, dating back nearly 12,000 years.
The site was discovered in the 1990s and was extensively studied by German archaeologist Klaus Schmidt.
The temple dates back to approximately 9600 BCE, predating both Stonehenge and the pyramids.
The structure consists of large circular buildings with massive T-shaped limestone pillars decorated with symbols and animals like foxes, lions, and birds.
The site was constructed by hunter-gatherers before the advent of farming, settled communities, or the domestication of plants.
Archaeological research indicates that the site was deliberately buried under tons of dirt and debris by humans around 8000 BCE.