http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history-archaeology/gobekli-tepe.html?c=y&page=1
'To Schmidt and others, these new findings suggest a novel theory of civilization. Scholars have long believed that only after people learned to farm and live in settled communities did they have the time, organization and resources to construct temples and support complicated social structures. But Schmidt argues it was the other way around: the extensive, coordinated effort to build the monoliths literally laid the groundwork for the development of complex societies.'
Interesting theory - but why?
What was the problem building temples solved?
Why was building temples cheaper than the alternative? what was that alternative?
'Hodder is fascinated that Gobekli Tepe's pillar carvings are dominated not by edible prey like deer and cattle but by menacing creatures such as lions, spiders, snakes and scorpions. "It's a scary, fantastic world of nasty-looking beasts," he muses. While later cultures were more concerned with farming and fertility, he suggests, perhaps these hunters were trying to master their fears by building this complex, which is a good distance from where they lived.'
What are other hunter-gatherer's carving?
West Coast Aboriginal carvings are orca, wolf, bear, and raven clans.
Are these animals not successful guides for hunters to follow?
"Schmidt is betting that beneath the floors he'll find the structures' true purpose: a final resting place for a society of hunters."
'To Schmidt and others, these new findings suggest a novel theory of civilization. Scholars have long believed that only after people learned to farm and live in settled communities did they have the time, organization and resources to construct temples and support complicated social structures. But Schmidt argues it was the other way around: the extensive, coordinated effort to build the monoliths literally laid the groundwork for the development of complex societies.'
Interesting theory - but why?
What was the problem building temples solved?
Why was building temples cheaper than the alternative? what was that alternative?
'Hodder is fascinated that Gobekli Tepe's pillar carvings are dominated not by edible prey like deer and cattle but by menacing creatures such as lions, spiders, snakes and scorpions. "It's a scary, fantastic world of nasty-looking beasts," he muses. While later cultures were more concerned with farming and fertility, he suggests, perhaps these hunters were trying to master their fears by building this complex, which is a good distance from where they lived.'
What are other hunter-gatherer's carving?
West Coast Aboriginal carvings are orca, wolf, bear, and raven clans.
Are these animals not successful guides for hunters to follow?
"Schmidt is betting that beneath the floors he'll find the structures' true purpose: a final resting place for a society of hunters."
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