Reinterpreting the T-Pillars at Göbekli Tepe: Symbolic Distribution and Potential Social Function in Pre-Pottery Neolithic Society

Göbekli Tepe (southeastern Turkey, ∼9600–8000 BCE) is renowned for its monumental T-shaped limestone pillars bearing rich iconography, predominantly animal motifs and abstract symbols. This paper presents a quantitative analysis of symbol distribution across excavated enclosures (A–D), drawing on published inventories. Fox motifs dominate (∼35–43%), followed by birds, snakes, and boars, with central pillars exhibiting higher carving density and diversity. We propose the pillars functioned as communal markers of social identity or seasonal events, reflecting emerging hierarchy in hunter-gatherer groups transitioning to sedentism. This interpretation bridges ritual and practical roles, with implications for understanding Neolithic complexity. Future symbol databases and statistical modeling are recommended.