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The role of cult and feasting in the emergence of Neolithic communities. New evidence from Göbekli Tepe, south-eastern Turkey

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 August 2012

Oliver Dietrich ,
Manfred Heun ,
Jens Notroff ,
Klaus Schmidt  and
Martin Zarnkow
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Göbekli Tepe is one of the most important archaeological discoveries of modern times, pushing back the origins of monumentality beyond the emergence of agriculture. We are pleased to present a summary of work in progress by the excavators of this remarkable site and their latest thoughts about its role and meaning. At the dawn of the Neolithic, hunter-gatherers congregating at Göbekli Tepe created social and ideological cohesion through the carving of decorated pillars, dancing, feasting—and, almost certainly, the drinking of beer made from fermented wild crops.

Keywords

TurkeyEpipalaeolithicPre-Pottery Neolithic A and Bmonumentalitycongregationdancingfeastingdrinkingbeeralcohol
Type
Research article
Information
Antiquity , Volume 86 , Issue 333 , September 2012 , pp. 674 - 695
Copyright
Copyright © Antiquity Publications Ltd. 2012 

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