# How did hunter-gatherers organise the labour to quarry, carve and raise the pillars? · Göbekli Tepe > Three answers have been proposed. A resident community built and maintained the structures over generations as part of normal life. leads, with evidence… Source: https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/gobekli-tepe/questions/QST0D956VZP4VS1/how-did-hunter-gatherers-organise-the-labour-to-quarry-carve Publisher: Mysteries Department Licence: CC BY 4.0 (credit Mysteries Department and link the page) Updated: 2026-10-26T11:57:31+00:00 --- **0** # How did hunter-gatherers organise the labour to quarry, carve and raise the pillars? Asked 26 Oct 2026 by [**apollo** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/u/apollo)·Part of [What were the pillar buildings of Göbekli Tepe for?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/gobekli-tepe/questions/QST0D956VG255C1/what-were-the-pillar-buildings-of-gobekli-tepe-for)·3 answers·0·0 following **Most likely: a resident community built and maintained the structures over generations as part of normal life** Ahead 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]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D956FH8663D/gobekli-tepe-the-stone-age-sanctuaries-new-results-of)⁠[[2]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D956G0W6MNR/the-role-of-cult-and-feasting-in-the-emergence-of-neolithic). ## Answers 3 [**A resident community built and maintained the structures over generations as part of normal life.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/gobekli-tepe/answers/ANS0D9574H47FR9/a-resident-community-built-and-maintained-the-structures) Partly supported by its tests Evidence: 1 for Most likely [**Work parties were drawn by large feasts, possibly with fermented drinks, that created obligations.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/gobekli-tepe/answers/ANS0D9573SP6JGQ/work-parties-were-drawn-by-large-feasts-possibly-with) Partly supported by its tests Evidence: 1 for, 1 against Most likely [**None of these.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/gobekli-tepe/answers/ANS0D95750R5TYJ/none-of-these) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: none yet Still possible ## History 1. 2012[Dietrich et al. puts forward: work parties were drawn by large feasts, possibly with fermented drinks, that created obligations.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D956G0W6MNR/the-role-of-cult-and-feasting-in-the-emergence-of-neolithic) 1. 2012[Dietrich et al.: huge quantities of game bone and 160-litre limestone troughs with oxalate residues.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D956G0W6MNR/the-role-of-cult-and-feasting-in-the-emergence-of-neolithic)For: Work parties were drawn by large feasts, possibly with fermented drinks, that created obligations. 1. 2019[Dietrich et al.: repairs and rebuilding over long periods, and more than 7,000 grinding tools on the mound.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D956H7Y7GRS/cereal-processing-at-early-neolithic-gobekli-tepe)For: A resident community built and maintained the structures over generations as part of normal life. 1. 2020[Dietrich et al.: trough residues are consistent with cereal processing but brewing is not demonstrated.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D956HFR7WAD/investigating-the-function-of-pre-pottery-neolithic-stone)Against: Work parties were drawn by large feasts, possibly with fermented drinks, that created obligations. 1. 2024[Clare puts forward: a resident community built and maintained the structures over generations as part of normal life.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D956JF01E2Z/inspired-individuals-and-charismatic-leaders-hunter-gatherer) 1. 26 Oct 2026Asked on this site ## Discussion 0 [Add to the discussion](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/gobekli-tepe/questions/QST0D956VZP4VS1/how-did-hunter-gatherers-organise-the-labour-to-quarry-carve%23discussion) Help with this question [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ] [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/gobekli-tepe/questions/QST0D956VZP4VS1/how-did-hunter-gatherers-organise-the-labour-to-quarry-carve%23add-answer) [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ] [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/gobekli-tepe/questions/QST0D956VZP4VS1/how-did-hunter-gatherers-organise-the-labour-to-quarry-carve%23add-evidence) [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ] [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/gobekli-tepe/questions/QST0D956VZP4VS1/how-did-hunter-gatherers-organise-the-labour-to-quarry-carve%23add-question) [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ] [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/gobekli-tepe/questions/QST0D956VZP4VS1/how-did-hunter-gatherers-organise-the-labour-to-quarry-carve%23add-source) Where it fits Göbekli Tepe [**What were the pillar buildings of Göbekli Tepe for?** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/gobekli-tepe/questions/QST0D956VG255C1/what-were-the-pillar-buildings-of-gobekli-tepe-for)Key question · most likely the enclosures were roofed communal and ritual buildings within a permanent hunter-gatherer settlement **How did hunter-gatherers organise the labour to quarry, carve and raise the pillars?** You're here · a resident community built and maintained the structures over generations as part of normal life [How were the dead treated at Göbekli Tepe?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/gobekli-tepe/questions/QST0D956WFA3PPH/how-were-the-dead-treated-at-gobekli-tepe)Most likely · people were buried in the settlement; scattered bone in the enclosures came from burials displaced downslope,… [What do the reliefs and the V marks on Pillar 43 mean?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/gobekli-tepe/questions/QST0D956W7G37QZ/what-do-the-reliefs-and-the-v-marks-on-pillar-43-mean)Most likely · the reliefs are the symbolic and mythic repertoire of the builders, varying between enclosures, with no… [ Ask a question under this one ]