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Gobekli Tepe, Turkey [Photo/China.org.cn]
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Located at the top of a mountain ridge in eastern Turkey, the Gobekli Tepe is an archaeological site which dates back to 10,000 BC -- almost 7,000 years before the pyramids of Egypt appeared. It is considered to be one of the earliest cultural relics on Earth.
Located at a height of 15 meters (49 feet) and with a diameter of 300 meters (984 feet), the site sits around 760 meters (2,493 feet) above sea level. There are circles of massive T-shaped stone pillars standing across the site, with each pillar measuring up to 6 meters (20 feet) in height and weighing up to 20 tons. The stones have been carved out in various shapes such as wild boars, ducks, snakes and lions.
The function of the structures is not yet clear, but the most common opinion is that they were in fact early Neolithic sanctuaries. Some archaeologists believe that they were the original site of the Garden of Eden.