Experts propose that engravings on a stone pillar from a 12,000-year-old archaeological site in Turkey could be the earliest solar calendar in existence, commemorating a catastrophic comet collision.
The symbols found at Göbekli Tepe, located in southern Turkey, an ancient complex featuring temple-like structures with detailed carvings, may document a significant astronomical occurrence that brought about a major transformation in human civilization, according to researchers.
The findings indicate that ancient humans were capable of chronicling their observations of celestial bodies, creating a solar calendar to track time and seasonal changes.
New evaluations of V-shaped symbols engraved on the site’s pillars suggest that each V could signify one day. This hypothesis allowed researchers to identify a 365-day solar calendar on one pillar, which consists of 12 lunar months plus an additional 11 days.
A particular V, symbolizing the summer solstice, is notably illustrated around the neck of a bird-like figure believed to represent the constellation associated with the summer solstice. Nearby statues, likely representing deities, also show similar V-markings on their necks.
The carvings depict both lunar and solar cycles, indicating that they could represent the earliest lunisolar calendar, governed by moon phases and solar position, predating other known calendars of this nature by several millennia.
Researchers propose that these carvings at Göbekli Tepe may have been created to mark the date of a comet fragment impact event nearly 13,000 years ago, around 10,850 BC.
This comet impact potentially triggered a mini ice age lasting over 1,200 years, leading to the extinction of many large animal species. It may have also spurred lifestyle and agricultural changes linked to the emergence of civilization soon afterwards in the fertile crescent of West Asia.
Another pillar at Göbekli Tepe seems to depict the Taurid meteor stream, believed to be the origin of the comet fragments, lasting for 27 days and originating from the areas of Aquarius and Pisces.
This discovery also suggests that ancient societies could record dates using precession, the wobble of Earth’s axis influencing the movements of constellations, at least 10,000 years before Hipparchus documented the phenomenon in 150 BC.
The importance of these carvings appears to have persisted among the people of Göbekli Tepe for generations, indicating that the impactful event may have given rise to a new belief system or religion that played a role in shaping civilization.
The finding supports the theory that Earth encounters an increased number of comet impacts when its orbit intersects the trails of recurring comet fragments, which we typically observe as meteor showers.
Dr. Martin Sweatman from the University of Edinburgh’s School of Engineering, who led the study, commented: “The residents of Göbekli Tepe were evidently attentive observers of the skies, a logical response given their world had been severely impacted by a comet strike. This incident could have catalyzed civilization by inspiring a new faith and prompting agricultural advancements to adapt to the colder climate. It’s possible their efforts to document their observations were foundational steps towards writing that would develop thousands of years later.”
