A Decorated Bone ‘Spatula’ from Göbekli Tepe. On the Pitfalls of Iconographic Interpretations of Early Neolithic Art

In 2011 a special object was discovered at Göbekli Tepe in one of the excavation trenches in the tell´s northwestern depression. The artefact was described preliminarily as a ‘spatula’ made from a rib bone. It measures 5.3 x 1.9 x 0.3 cm and carries a carved depiction that is only partially preserved. The image is unclear, however the upper part features two hatched T-shaped forms, one of which is completely preserved, the other only fragmentarily. These T-shapes rapidly led to associations with Göbekli Tepe´s most prominent architectural feature, the T-shaped pillars. The contribution discusses the likelihood of such an interpretation

A Clay Mask Depiction from Göbekli Tepe

During the 2001 excavation season at Göbekli Tepe, a fragment of a small miniature mask depiction was found in Enclosure D. The fragmentarily preserved object was originally ovaloid in form, the back is concave. It features a very prominent nose and large, nearly open-worked eyes. An indention supposedly depicting the mouth is rather small, on the other hand, and not very deep. The mask measures just 1.3x0.7cm. The surface is darkened-greyish, which indicates burning in reducing conditions. Whether the mask was intentionally burned remains uncertain; a future scientific examination of the find could resolve this issue. The article explores the potential meanings of this unique find

Cereal processing at Early Neolithic Göbekli Tepe, southeastern Turkey

We analyze the processing of cereals and its role at Early Neolithic Göbekli Tepe, southeastern Anatolia (10th / 9th millennium BC), a site that has aroused much debate in archaeological discourse

A sanctuary, or so fair a house? In defense of an archaeology of cult at Pre-Pottery Neolithic Göbekli Tepe

The paper explores the possibilities of an archaeology of religion at Göbekli Tepe, being an answer to E.B. Bannings contribution "So Fair a House: Göbekli Tepe and the Identification of Temples in the Pre-Pottery Neolithic of the Near East" in Current Anthropology 52(5), 2011

Göbekli Tepe – ein exzeptioneller Fundplatz des frühesten Neolithikums auf dem Weg zum Weltkulturerbe

A short history of work at Göbekli Tepe and an overview of the UNESCO Worls Heritage List nomination process

Tall al-Magass, Jordanien: Aseym-Projekt

The Chalcolithic – Early Bronze Age tells of Hujayrat al-Ghuzlan and al-Magass are situated at the northern fringe of the modern town of Aqaba in southern Jordan. At both sites systematic archaeological research has taken place since excavations by Lutfi Khalil (University of Jordan) started in 1985. In 1998 the ASEYM project (Archaeological Survey and Excavation in the Yitim and Magaṣṣ Area) was established as a cooperation between the University of Jordan and the Orient Department of the DAI, continuing this previous research. The major focus of the field work in 2013 was on the documentation of the western section of Tall al-Magass, a deep profile being the result of road construction work in 1967

Göbekli Tepe, Türkei: Die Arbeiten der Jahre 2014 (Herbst) und 2015

The early Neolithic tell of Göbekli Tepe is situated northeast of the modern town of Şanlıurfa in south-eastern Turkey. Formed by the debris of monumental constructions dating back to the 10th and 9th millennium BC (the Pre-Pottery Neolithic), the mound is excavated systematically since 1995. Recent excavation campaigns focussed on preparative work for the erection of permanent shelter structures to preserve the site

Göbekli Tepe, Türkei

A few kilometres to the northeast of Şanlıurfa in southeastern Turkey the tell of Göbekli Tepe is situated. The immense ruin hill formed by the debris of monumental constructions dating back into the 10th and 9th millennium BC (the Pre-Pottery Neolithic) has been excavated systematically since 1995. The last two excavation campaigns were preliminary focussed on work to erect permanent shelter structures to preserve the site

Göbekli Tepe, Türkei: Die Arbeiten des Jahres 2014

The tell of Göbekli Tepe is situated a few kilometres to the northeast of Şanlıurfa in south-eastern Turkey. The immense ruin hill formed by the debris of monumental constructions dating back to the 10th and 9th millennium BC (the Pre-Pottery Neolithic) has been excavated systematically since 1995. Recent excavation campaigns focussed on preliminary work for the erection of permanent shelter structures to preserve the site