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What do the reliefs and the V marks on Pillar 43 mean?

Asked 26 Oct 2026 by ·Part of What were the pillar buildings of Göbekli Tepe for?·3 answers·0·0 following
Most likely: the reliefs are the symbolic and mythic repertoire of the builders, varying between enclosures, with no…Ahead on the evidence, not yet confirmed. It needs two reviews to be accepted.

Where it stands

Three answers have been proposed. The reliefs are the symbolic and mythic repertoire of the builders, varying between enclosures, with no… leads, with evidence 1 for: partly supported by its tests. Two are still possible.

Why it matters

Pillar 43 is the most reproduced object at the site and the basis of the comet and calendar claims⁠[1]⁠[2]; its reading shapes what the public believes about the site.

Answers 3

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

History

  1. Schmidt puts forward: the reliefs are the symbolic and mythic repertoire of the builders, varying between enclosures, with no…
  2. Notroff et al.: pillars were moved and re-used, the building was probably roofed, and the dated event is centuries earlier…Against: The V marks and animals on Pillar 43 record a 365-day lunisolar calendar and a comet impact of about 10950 BC.
  3. Özdoğan: animal repertoires differ between enclosures; the same beasts appear in narrative scenes at Sayburç.For: The reliefs are the symbolic and mythic repertoire of the builders, varying between enclosures, with no…
  4. Sweatman puts forward: the V marks and animals on Pillar 43 record a 365-day lunisolar calendar and a comet impact of about 10950 BC.
  5. Asked on this site
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