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How did hunter-gatherers organise the labour to quarry, carve and raise the pillars?

Asked 26 Oct 2026 by ·Part of What were the pillar buildings of Göbekli Tepe for?·3 answers·0·0 following
Most likely: a resident community built and maintained the structures over generations as part of normal lifeAhead on the evidence, not yet confirmed. It needs two reviews to be accepted.

Where it stands

Three answers have been proposed. A resident community built and maintained the structures over generations as part of normal life. leads, with evidence 1 for: partly supported by its tests. Two are still possible.

Why it matters

Pillars of up to 10 tonnes were cut and moved before domestic animals or farming surpluses existed; the answer bears on how early societies were organised⁠[1]⁠[2].

Answers 3

Evidence: 1 for
Most likely
Evidence: 1 for, 1 against
Most likely
None of these.
Not tested enough to call either way
Evidence: none yet
Still possible

History

  1. Dietrich et al. puts forward: work parties were drawn by large feasts, possibly with fermented drinks, that created obligations.
  2. Dietrich et al.: huge quantities of game bone and 160-litre limestone troughs with oxalate residues.For: Work parties were drawn by large feasts, possibly with fermented drinks, that created obligations.
  3. Dietrich et al.: repairs and rebuilding over long periods, and more than 7,000 grinding tools on the mound.For: A resident community built and maintained the structures over generations as part of normal life.
  4. Dietrich et al.: trough residues are consistent with cereal processing but brewing is not demonstrated.Against: Work parties were drawn by large feasts, possibly with fermented drinks, that created obligations.
  5. Clare puts forward: a resident community built and maintained the structures over generations as part of normal life.
  6. Asked on this site
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