What is the oldest wall on earth?

Answered by Michael Wilson

The oldest wall on Earth that has been discovered so far is located at the temple of Gobekli Tepe in Urfa, southeast Turkey. This remarkable archaeological site dates back a staggering 11,500 years, making it older than any other known wall in existence.

Gobekli Tepe is a truly fascinating place, as it challenges our understanding of human history and the development of civilization. It was only discovered relatively recently, in the 1990s, by a team of German archaeologists led by Klaus Schmidt. Excavations at the site have revealed an intricate complex of stone pillars arranged in circles, with the oldest layers dating back to around 9600 BCE.

These stone pillars at Gobekli Tepe are not freestanding; they are embedded in massive stone walls that encircle the site. The walls were built using large limestone blocks, some of which weigh up to 20 tons. The stones were carefully shaped and fitted together without the use of mortar, showcasing the impressive craftsmanship of the ancient builders.

What makes the walls of Gobekli Tepe particularly astounding is the fact that they predate the advent of agriculture and settled societies. Traditional archaeological theories suggest that the development of complex architecture and monumental construction, such as these walls, would only have been possible once humans had transitioned from a nomadic hunter-gatherer lifestyle to a more settled agricultural way of life.

However, Gobekli Tepe challenges this notion. The existence of such elaborate and sophisticated structures at a time when humans were still primarily hunter-gatherers raises intriguing questions about the origins of civilization. It implies that early humans were capable of organizing themselves on a large scale and collaborating to construct monumental architecture, even before the rise of agriculture.

As an archaeology enthusiast, I find the story of Gobekli Tepe incredibly captivating. It is a vivid reminder that our understanding of the past is constantly evolving as new discoveries are made. The fact that this ancient site pushes back the timeline of human civilization is a testament to the ingenuity and capabilities of our early ancestors.

The oldest wall on Earth is found at the temple of Gobekli Tepe in Urfa, southeast Turkey. Dating back 11,500 years, these stone walls challenge conventional archaeological theories and shed new light on the early development of civilization. The craftsmanship and complexity exhibited in the construction of these walls provide a glimpse into the capabilities and organization of our ancient ancestors. The discovery of Gobekli Tepe serves as a reminder that there is still much we have yet to learn about our own history.