Dr. Lee Clare

But yeah, I mean, the site has been now under excavation for about 30 years.

But yeah, I mean, the site has been now under excavation for about 30 years.

Well, I'm very glad you didn't say the word temple.

Well, I'm very glad you didn't say the word temple.

Well, I'm very glad you didn't say the word temple.

Yeah, very good. Because of course, I'm not too keen on that word. Of course, it's actually, you know, in the media, you know, advertisements and everything. It's like, come and visit the world's first temples. I'm not too happy with that terminology for various reasons. But of course, I think, you know, I prefer a more neutral term.

Yeah, very good. Because of course, I'm not too keen on that word. Of course, it's actually, you know, in the media, you know, advertisements and everything. It's like, come and visit the world's first temples. I'm not too happy with that terminology for various reasons. But of course, I think, you know, I prefer a more neutral term.

Yeah, very good. Because of course, I'm not too keen on that word. Of course, it's actually, you know, in the media, you know, advertisements and everything. It's like, come and visit the world's first temples. I'm not too happy with that terminology for various reasons. But of course, I think, you know, I prefer a more neutral term.

I refer to these structures as special buildings because they are special and they're buildings for that very simple reason. And regarding their function, I think, of course, they were probably ritual centres. There were rituals taking place in these structures.

I refer to these structures as special buildings because they are special and they're buildings for that very simple reason. And regarding their function, I think, of course, they were probably ritual centres. There were rituals taking place in these structures.

I refer to these structures as special buildings because they are special and they're buildings for that very simple reason. And regarding their function, I think, of course, they were probably ritual centres. There were rituals taking place in these structures.

But at the same time, they're also being used for, you know, people are identifying themselves or the groups, you know, were identifying themselves with these structures. They hold narratives. If you look at the pillars that are in these buildings, all of these carvings, those are narratives, those are stories that meant something to these people.

But at the same time, they're also being used for, you know, people are identifying themselves or the groups, you know, were identifying themselves with these structures. They hold narratives. If you look at the pillars that are in these buildings, all of these carvings, those are narratives, those are stories that meant something to these people.

But at the same time, they're also being used for, you know, people are identifying themselves or the groups, you know, were identifying themselves with these structures. They hold narratives. If you look at the pillars that are in these buildings, all of these carvings, those are narratives, those are stories that meant something to these people.

So a lot more to do with identity, with community, with coming together. I think temple would be a too narrow definition. Apart from that, of course, the term temple is very often associated with modern connotations of what religion is or religion. Of course, that's something we need to get away from because we're 12,000 years ago.

So a lot more to do with identity, with community, with coming together. I think temple would be a too narrow definition. Apart from that, of course, the term temple is very often associated with modern connotations of what religion is or religion. Of course, that's something we need to get away from because we're 12,000 years ago.

So a lot more to do with identity, with community, with coming together. I think temple would be a too narrow definition. Apart from that, of course, the term temple is very often associated with modern connotations of what religion is or religion. Of course, that's something we need to get away from because we're 12,000 years ago.

So far, we have eight excavated or partially excavated special buildings. A to H, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, S, H. That's correct. We have eight partially excavated special buildings. Now, the majority of these are actually sort of round oval in shape, in floor plan, as it were, with diameters of 10 to 20 meters, depending on where you're looking, which building it is. And they are buildings.

So far, we have eight excavated or partially excavated special buildings. A to H, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, S, H. That's correct. We have eight partially excavated special buildings. Now, the majority of these are actually sort of round oval in shape, in floor plan, as it were, with diameters of 10 to 20 meters, depending on where you're looking, which building it is. And they are buildings.

So far, we have eight excavated or partially excavated special buildings. A to H, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, S, H. That's correct. We have eight partially excavated special buildings. Now, the majority of these are actually sort of round oval in shape, in floor plan, as it were, with diameters of 10 to 20 meters, depending on where you're looking, which building it is. And they are buildings.