Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Surprising evidence at the world’s oldest temple overturns our understanding of human history.
Official website: to.pbs.org/4tLBkxf | #novapbs
On a remote hillside in modern-day Turkey sits Göbekli Tepe, the oldest temple on Earth. For centuries, archaeologists believed it was a religious center built by nomadic hunter-gatherers before the rise of civilization. But groundbreaking new evidence reveals that a sophisticated community of settled hunter-gatherers, not nomads, lived here year-round for centuries. This startling discovery could be the missing link in humanity's momentous transition from hunting to farming. Follow experts as they use new digs and shattered skulls to piece together a captivating story that could forever change our understanding of the roots of civilization.
💙 Help us bring the universe closer to home. Your donation ensures that NOVA’s deep-space discoveries and quantum physics explorations remain free and inspiring for the next generation of scientists. Support fact-based storytelling today. bit.ly/48UnsrD
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
03:23 What is Göbekli Tepe?
11:34 Who Built this Civilization?
25:57 Hunter-Gatherer Lifestyle and Culture
39:03 Neighboring Civilizations
44:44 Why Did People Leave
50:27 Conclusion
© 2026 WGBH Educational Foundation
All rights reserved
This program was produced by GBH, which is solely responsible for its content.
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Or listen wherever you get your podcasts!
Human civilizations, archaeology, origin of civilizations, ancient turkey, Göbekli Tepe, lost civilization, neolithic, stone age, einkorn, desert kites, early hunting
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Surprising evidence at the world’s oldest temple overturns our understanding of human history.
Official website: to.pbs.org/4tLBkxf | #novapbs
On a remote hillside in modern-day Turkey sits Göbekli Tepe, the oldest temple on Earth. For centuries, archaeologists believed it was a religious center built by nomadic hunter-gatherers before the rise of civilization. But groundbreaking new evidence reveals that a sophisticated community of settled hunter-gatherers, not nomads, lived here year-round for centuries. This startling discovery could be the missing link in humanity's momentous transition from hunting to farming. Follow experts as they use new digs and shattered skulls to piece together a captivating story that could forever change our understanding of the roots of civilization.
💙 Help us bring the universe closer to home. Your donation ensures that NOVA’s deep-space discoveries and quantum physics explorations remain free and inspiring for the next generation of scientists. Support fact-based storytelling today. bit.ly/48UnsrD
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
03:23 What is Göbekli Tepe?
11:34 Who Built this Civilization?
25:57 Hunter-Gatherer Lifestyle and Culture
39:03 Neighboring Civilizations
44:44 Why Did People Leave
50:27 Conclusion
© 2026 WGBH Educational Foundation
All rights reserved
This program was produced by GBH, which is solely responsible for its content.
This program is made possible by viewers like you. Support your local PBS station here: pbs.org/donate
Enjoy full episodes of your favorite PBS shows anytime, anywhere with the free PBS app: to.pbs.org/2QbtzhR
📰 Stay up to date on the latest science discoveries, full episodes, articles, videos, and more by signing up for NOVA's newsletter here: to.pbs.org/4brCC7Y
🛍️ Shop official NOVA 50th anniversary merch: nova-shop.org
🎙️ Watch our podcast, Particles of Thought: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtiOgIRVt404UGx2NBvPum4DgT5Gs-Tts
Or listen wherever you get your podcasts!
Human civilizations, archaeology, origin of civilizations, ancient turkey, Göbekli Tepe, lost civilization, neolithic, stone age, einkorn, desert kites, early hunting
Follow on social for more NOVA content
Twitter: twitter.com/novapbs
Instagram: instagram.com/novapbs
TikTok: tiktok.com/@novapbs
PBS
Facebook: facebook.com/PBS
X: twitter.com/PBS
Instagram: instagram.com/PBS
YouTube: youtube.com/PBS
TikTok: tiktok.com/@pbs
