# How were the dead treated at Göbekli Tepe? · Göbekli Tepe > Three answers have been proposed. People were buried in the settlement; scattered bone in the enclosures came from burials displaced downslope,… leads… Source: https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/gobekli-tepe/questions/QST0D956WFA3PPH/how-were-the-dead-treated-at-gobekli-tepe 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 were the dead treated at Göbekli Tepe? 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: people were buried in the settlement; scattered bone in the enclosures came from burials displaced downslope,…** Ahead on the evidence, not yet confirmed. It needs two reviews to be accepted. ## Where it stands Three answers have been proposed. People were buried in the settlement; scattered bone in the enclosures came from burials displaced downslope,… leads, with evidence 1 for: partly supported by its tests. Two are still possible. ## Why it matters Burial under house floors is the PPN norm; its absence was long used to argue that no one lived here⁠[[1]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D956H045S0S/modified-human-crania-from-gobekli-tepe-provide-evidence-for)⁠[[2]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D956JPT5KWD/first-burials-give-insights-into-mortuary-rites-at). ## Answers 3 [**People were buried in the settlement; scattered bone in the enclosures came from burials displaced downslope,…** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/gobekli-tepe/answers/ANS0D95777272BN/people-were-buried-in-the-settlement-scattered-bone-in-the) Partly supported by its tests Evidence: 1 for Most likely [**None of these.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/gobekli-tepe/answers/ANS0D9577PP7HSB/none-of-these) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: none yet Still possible [**Skulls were removed, carved and displayed; bodies were not buried on the mound.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/gobekli-tepe/answers/ANS0D9576FM00A7/skulls-were-removed-carved-and-displayed-bodies-were-not) Failed a test; not refuted outright Evidence: 1 for, 1 against Disputed ## History 1. 2017[Gresky et al. puts forward: skulls were removed, carved and displayed; bodies were not buried on the mound.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D956H045S0S/modified-human-crania-from-gobekli-tepe-provide-evidence-for) 1. 2017[Gresky et al.: three skull fragments with deep deliberate incisions and a drilled hole.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D956H045S0S/modified-human-crania-from-gobekli-tepe-provide-evidence-for)For: Skulls were removed, carved and displayed; bodies were not buried on the mound. 1. 2026[Gresky & Clare puts forward: people were buried in the settlement; scattered bone in the enclosures came from burials displaced downslope,…](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D956JPT5KWD/first-burials-give-insights-into-mortuary-rites-at) 1. 2026[Gresky & Clare: two intact burials of mid-9th millennium BC date were found in 2026.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D956JPT5KWD/first-burials-give-insights-into-mortuary-rites-at)Against: Skulls were removed, carved and displayed; bodies were not buried on the mound. 1. 2026[Gresky & Clare: taphonomic analysis of the scattered bone is consistent with displacement by sliding settlement deposits.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D956JPT5KWD/first-burials-give-insights-into-mortuary-rites-at)For: People were buried in the settlement; scattered bone in the enclosures came from burials displaced downslope,… 1. 26 Oct 2026Asked on this site ## Discussion 0 [Add to the discussion](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/gobekli-tepe/questions/QST0D956WFA3PPH/how-were-the-dead-treated-at-gobekli-tepe%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/QST0D956WFA3PPH/how-were-the-dead-treated-at-gobekli-tepe%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/QST0D956WFA3PPH/how-were-the-dead-treated-at-gobekli-tepe%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/QST0D956WFA3PPH/how-were-the-dead-treated-at-gobekli-tepe%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/QST0D956WFA3PPH/how-were-the-dead-treated-at-gobekli-tepe%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?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/gobekli-tepe/questions/QST0D956VZP4VS1/how-did-hunter-gatherers-organise-the-labour-to-quarry-carve)Most likely · a resident community built and maintained the structures over generations as part of normal life **How were the dead treated at Göbekli Tepe?** You're here · 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 ]