The Visual Storytelling Power of Archaeological Illustration: An Evaluation Through Göbeklitepe
Chapter from the book:
Buçukoğlu,
S.
M.
(ed.)
2026.
Current Research in Graphic Design from an Academic Perspective - I .
Synopsis
This article discusses the importance and methods of scientific illustration, examining the methods and techniques of archaeological illustration drawings, based on relevant literature. The importance of illustration in archaeological excavations is emphasized, and the methods used by illustrators in creating archaeological illustrations are discussed. A new illustration has been created using images from the Göbeklitepe excavations and drawings by illustrator teams. The aim is to ensure that the symbols on the megaliths at Göbeklitepe are understandable to visitors or those who cannot visit the ancient site. Göbeklitepe is located in Northern Mesopotamia, northeast of the present-day city of Urfa, on the hills north of the Harran Plain. Its history dates back 12,000 years. The Göbeklitepe temple contains megaliths with diverse depictions. As Schmidt put it, “Who do these stone objects represent? … Gods, evil spirits, or ancestors?” The answers to these questions have been compiled from numerous studies and various sources and illustrated by examining the symbols carved on the stones at Göbeklitepe. In assessments of excavation sites or ancient regions through photographs, illustrators' drawings are crucial for understanding these symbols.
