Archaeologists have discovered what may be the world's oldest calendar within the ancient temple complex of Göbekli Tepe in Turkey. Carved onto a large stone column, the calendar appears to represent a 365-day solar year alongside lunar figures.
The column, estimated to be around 13,000 years old, is engraved with 365 symbols in the shape of a 'V'. Researchers believe each 'V' symbol represents a single day in this ancient calendar. This intricate system incorporates 12 lunar months and an additional 11 days, demonstrating a detailed attempt to track both the solar year and lunar cycles.
Furthermore, a bird-like creature is carved on the column, surrounded by similar 'V'-shaped symbols. This image might represent the summer solstice constellation as it appeared at the time. Scientists have suggested that the complex carving was created around 10,850 BCE, roughly when a large comet is believed to have struck Earth, significantly impacting the climate and culture of the period.
Researchers estimate that the comet impact triggered an ice age. This event could have spurred the emergence of new religious practices or cultural shifts, as well as advancements in agriculture to adapt to the colder climate. The creation of this calendar was an attempt to record and understand these dramatic celestial events.
According to study author Martin Sweatman from the University of Edinburgh, the comet strike and subsequent environmental changes may have catalyzed the development of written systems. "The carvings at Göbekli Tepe offer a window into how early humans observed and recorded their world, laying the groundwork for future achievements in human knowledge," he said. "Their attempts to record what they saw may be the first steps towards the development of writing millennia later."
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