Type:		Journal, Article
Title:		Decoding Göbekli Tepe with Archaeoastronomy: what does the fox say?
Author(s):		Sweatman, M. B.; Tsikritsis, D.
Date:		2017/03/16
Abstract:		We have interpreted much of the symbolism of Göbekli Tepe in terms of astronomical events. By matching low-relief carvings on some of the pillars at Göbekli Tepe to star asterisms we find compelling evidence that the famous 'Vulture Stone' is a date stamp for 10950 BC ± 250 yrs, which corresponds closely to the proposed Younger Dryas event, estimated at 10890 BC. We also find evidence that a key function of Göbekli Tepe was to observe meteor showers and record cometary encounters. Indeed, the people of Göbekli Tepe appear to have had a special interest in the Taurid meteor stream, the same meteor stream that is proposed as responsible for the Younger-Dryas event. Is Göbekli Tepe the 'smoking gun' for the Younger-Dryas cometary encounter, and hence for coherent catastrophism?
Journal (full):		Mediterranean Archaeology and Archaeometry
Volume:		17
Issue:		1
Start Page:		233
End Page:		250
ISSN/ISBN/DOI:		10.5281/zenodo.400780
Link (PDF):		http://maajournal.com/Issues/2017/Vol17-1/Sweatman%20and%20Tsikritsis%2017%281%29.pdf