Göbeklitepe, one of the world's oldest known temples, has revolutionized our understanding of human history. However, following the death of archaeologist Klaus Schmidt, who led the excavations, on July 20, 2014, the site's management became controversy and faced allegations of mismanagement as in discontinuing archeological studies on purpose. This situation raised a profound question: How can this be explained to the Turkish public and the world? The allegations mean that a true part of history relating to the human race is being kept a secret indicating something with the power to change everything known about history by mankind and has great importance is kept unknown on purpose.
After Klaus Schmidt's passing in 2014, excavation efforts at Göbeklitepe stopped. In 2016, project management was transferred to Doğuş Group, a prominent Turkish conglomerate. This transition has led to various claims and criticisms, which have been subject to thorough investigation. Some allegations remain unverified due to a scarcity of Turkish sources and governmental privacy, while others have been substantiated. A significant issue highlighted by the Global Heritage Fund is that only 5% of Göbeklitepe has been excavated, a finding echoed by news reports from 2017, 2019, 2020, and 2022. This limited excavation has raised concerns regarding the site's preservation and the scope of archaeological research conducted.
Critics argue that after assuming control, Doğuş Group ceased excavation work and instead focused on developing the site for tourism. This included constructing a protective roof supported by steel columns, which created claims suggesting that the ancient stones have been pierced through. Such modifications have been criticized for potentially compromising the site's archaeological integrity, emphasizing economic considerations over scholarly exploration.
Further complicating the situation, the World Economic Forum (WEF) reportedly intervened with Doğuş Group's management of Göbeklitepe. Following this intervention, all potential excavation activities were suspended. The site has since been covered with asphalt concrete, and heavy construction equipment, such as bulldozers and jackhammers, has been used to build roads. Additionally, there have been reports of afforestation efforts on the excavation site. This has raised alarm among archaeologists, as the roots of newly planted trees could penetrate and damage the ancient stones, making future excavations even more challenging fortifying the belief that the government is trying to hide something kept in Göbeklitepe such as new beliefs or historical figures which contrasts with what humans know rşght now changing the history.
Klaus Schmidt’s widow, also an archaeologist, visits Göbeklitepe annually. Shocked by the changes, she has described the situation as absurd and has shared unseen photos of the road construction on Instagram, sparking further conflict among the archaeological community. In light of these developments, the site’s official opening date for tourism has been announced. This announcement symbolizes how the government's intention with Göbeklitepe is fully economic meaning no archeological development is intended for any time soon raising concerns in the archeology community. Shortly after, Klaus Schwab, founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum, made a statement declaring that the Göbeklitepe excavation had been left for future generations. Although many think otherwise this statement has been interpreted by some as an admission of the cessation of ongoing archaeological work. Ferit Şahenk, CEO and chairman of Doğuş Group has been honored and praised at the World Economic Forum, further fueling the controversy in now the Forum’s intentions. Critics question how such privileges can be justified in light of the stopped excavations and the alleged damage to the site.
Ultimately, since 2016, all excavation work at Göbeklitepe, a site of extreme historical significance, has reportedly been stopped. Instead, a roof has been constructed over the site, and areas that needed to be excavated have been covered with trees. Furthermore, the use of heavy machinery to build roads over the excavation site created concern similar to how covering the interior of Hagia Sophia with drywall or replacing the seating stones of an ancient theater with new marble. It is on an entirely different level. The trees will root into stones that are at least 11,000 years old, making future excavations almost impossible. Covering an archaeological site with concrete has no justification if not explained to the citizens of that country. The interesting part is that the Turkish public remains largely unaware. Eventually, the archaeological community and the citizens who are aware of the issue are curious as though how such blunder can be explained by executives of Doguş Group leaving this issue unsolved.
