Building C

Building C features at least two, more likely three, concentric walls. It has a round-oval ground plan and a diameter of some 30 metres. As such, it is the largest of the partially excavated megalithic monumental buildings so far discovered at Göbekli Tepe. Its two central T-shaped pillars appear to have been destroyed in antiquity. It is still unclear when this destruction occurred, but most likely in the prehistoric (Neolithic?) period. Remarkable for this building (and also for Building D) is that the two central pillars were slotted into two pedestals carved out of the natural bedrock. The floor of this building is made from the carefully smoothed natural rock surface of the limestone plateau. The western central pillar was partially restored in 2009. On its left broad side there is the depiction of a large fox (in low relief). The bottom part of the eastern shaft was a found in-situ. This pillar is still preserved to a height of 2 metres, though it was originally some five metres tall. All other T-shaped pillars belonging to Building C are found at more or less regular intervals within the inner concentric wall of the building. Eleven pillars have so far been found in the inner ring, while the second ring features seven pillars. This number would very likely increase if excavations were continued.