Italian archaeologists found the "Gates of Hell" in parts of Turkey called Pamukkale. The Hell Gate was allegedly used by the ancient Greeks and Romans as a place to hold ritual offerings to the god of the land.
A digital illustration shows the ancient Plutonium, celebrated as the portal to the underworld in Greco-Roman mythology. (Picture from: http://news.discovery.com/) |
Hell Gate was discovered by Francesco D'Andria, professor of classical archeology at the University of Salento, Italy. Goa was called the Gates of Hell because of the poisonous gas that comes out of it, resulting in the death of the animals were trapped.
Known as Pluto's Gate -- Ploutonion in Greek, Plutonium in Latin -- the long sought cave was found by Italian archaeologists in the ancient Phrygian city of Hierapolis, now called Pamukkale. Featuring a vast array of abandoned broken ruins, possibly the result of earthquakes, the site revealed more ruins once it was excavated. (Picture from: http://news.discovery.com/) |
The archaeologists found the remains of a temple, a pool and a series of steps placed above the cave -- all matching the descriptions of the site in ancient sources. (Picture from: http://news.discovery.com/) |
The archaeologists could see the cave's lethal properties during the excavation. Several birds died as they tried to get close to the warm opening, instantly killed by the carbon dioxide flumes. (Picture from: http://news.discovery.com/) |
Once, only the eunuchs of Cybele, the ancient goddess of fertility, which can enter the gate. The eunuchs hold your breath as much as possible so as not inhaling toxic gases from the Gates of Hell.
D'Andria find the Gates of Hell after running intensive archaeological research in the area of heritage Hierapolis. Founded in 190 BC by Eumenes II, King of Pergamum, Hierapolis submitted to Rome in 130 BC.
Heritage Region is located in the city of Hierapolis Phrygia, adjacent to Anatolia. The complex has many temples, stage, and hot water baths are considered sacred, which is believed to have the power of healing diseases.
As quoted by Discovery, Friday (29/03/2013), D'Andria said, "We found Plutonium (gate) to reconstruct the routes of the hot springs. Yeah, Pamukkale hot springs that produce white travertine terrace sourced from this cave."
Along with this discovery, D'Andria also found ruins that may occur due to the earthquake. There is also a buffer of semi column Ionic, a foothold in the cave, as well as inscriptions mark underground cult god, Pluto and Kore. The findings fit the description of the location document sharing.
Gates of Hell is a place to hold rite. The ritual includes a procession led animal approached the gate and pulled up into it and die. This ritual can be seen past the public.
"People could see that sacred ritual of the stairs, but they can not get closer to the area near the mouth of the cave. Only the religious leaders who can stand in front of the portal," said D'Andria. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | DISCOVERY]
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