Birth and Gestation: Symbolism of Vulture Stone

Title: Birth and Gestation: Symbolism of Vulture Stone Author: Anatolii Kharchenko, Independent researcher Email: y9414495@gmail.com Abstract: Deciphering the symbols of Göbekli Tepe can help to understand general patterns in the development of human civilisation. This research employs methods of contextual comparative analysis, interdisciplinary synthesis, iconographic analysis, logical modelling. The result of this analysis is a hypothesis that in the upper part of Pillar 43, Enclosure D (Vulture Stone), the three so-called bags with rounded handles and images of a bird, a mammal, and a newborn near each corresponding bag indicate the birth of offspring for a crane, a fox, and a hare. The three bags represent baskets in which newborn animals were taken after birth for taming. A vulture in the center of the megalith holds an egg. The wavy lines composed of repeating triangles beneath these bags and above the vulture egg represent the time in lunar fortnights from conception to birth, as perceived by primitive humans. By transmitting this knowledge, the prehistoric community of Göbekli Tepe developed an understanding of life cycles for animal taming and rituals. Keywords: Göbekli Tepe; Vulture Stone; iconography; Neolithic Revolution; Pillar 43; birth symbolism;, contextual analysis, Origin of Civilisation © 2025, 2026 Anatolii Kharchenko, All Rights Reserved