Rethinking Heritage: A Critical and Personal Perspective

The discovery of Göbeklitepe marks a pivotal turning point in human history, so profound that it was announced as history’s ‘zero point’ (Yolaçan & Aktın, 2024). Its significance is further cemented by UNESCO (2018), which has recognised the site as possessing Outstanding Universal Value across three distinct categories. Göbeklitepe is situated in southeastern Türkiye, approximately 15 kilometers northeast of the city center of Şanlıurfa, on a limestone plateau overlooking the Harran Plain. Its elevated position provides wide visibility across the surrounding landscape, enabling gatherings of early hunter-gatherer groups while also offering direct access to the stone resources used in the site’s monumental architecture. This geographical setting is integral to understanding Göbeklitepe’s spatial organisation and ritual functions, making its physical context an essential part of the site’s broader narrative. While the global recognition is rightly celebrated, this viewpoint argues that a crucial dimension is being overlooked in the prevailing heritage narrative: the heritage of the local population. This essay highlights the risk of losing the unique rituals and deep-rooted connections the local community maintains with the Göbeklitepe landscape. It posits that by formally integrating this intangible, living heritage into the site’s overarching story, we can not only preserve it but also profoundly enrich Göbeklitepe’s collective value for all of humanity.