12 thousand-year-old GOBEKLITEPE, the world's oldest known group of cult structures, was printed on euro bills for commemorative purposes, to be used as souvenir item for tourism promotion.
Based on latest findings and evaluations by archaeologists GOBEKLITEPE is considered to be the birthplace of human civilization. Accordingly Turkey’s government has declared 2019 as the "Year of Göbeklitepe" in order to promote one of the most special ancient archaeological sites in the world, hoping it will also contribute to tourism industry in a substantial manner.
Taking this into consideration, Mr. OZGUR HONCA, a numismatist (medalist and monetary scientist) together with his team-mates had commemorative euro bills in real euro standards printed at the institution licensed by the European Central Bank (ECB) to issue money for tourism purposes. It is reported that concerned euro bills which feature the picture of the ancient ruins are only for commemorative purpose with a “0”on each bill to avoid use for trading transactions.
GOBEKLITEPE located in SANLIURFA Turkey dates back to 12 thousand years ago and is expected to receive 2 million visitors both local and foreign, in 2019.
In 2005, the ruins were declared a 1st Degree Archaeological Site by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and in April 2011 it was inserted in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list (temporary). GOBEKLITEPE which stayed on the candidate list for a period of 7 years and reshaped the history was entitled to enter the UNESCO World Heritage List by the decision of the committee that convened in Bahrein, in July 2018.
The official inauguration of the ancient site was carried out by President ERDOGAN on 8 March 2019. Excavations had started in the Neolithic GOBEKLITEPE, at the border of Örencik neighborhood, 18 kilometers from ŞANLIURFA city center, with the cooperation of ŞANLIURFA museum and the German Archaeological Institute in Berlin, in 1995.
