Italian and Turkish archaeologists have discovered the "gates of hell" in modern Turkey. The historian Strabo, who lived 20 centuries ago and already then described the anomalies in the ancient city of Iearopolis (now Pammukale), worshiped by the ancient Romans, helped the specialists find them.
The discovery was made by a group of scientists led by professor at the Italian University of Salentina Francesco D'Andria. Archaeologists were reconstructing the road to the thermal spring, while they stumbled upon a "portal to the underworld."
During excavations near the cave, the remains of a temple were discovered: steps and Ionic columns with the names of the ancient Roman gods: Persephone - the goddess of fertility and the kingdom of the dead and Pluto - the ruler of the underworld
Photo: brindisireport.it
The cave, from which the poisonous gas with a high content of carbon dioxide comes out, by the way, was discovered back in the 1980s. It is believed that it originated in Hierapolis in ancient times after a strong earthquake, and the fault goes to the magma boundary. Authorities have shielded it from tourists because of the danger of carbon dioxide poisoning. But until now no one guessed that this is the entrance to the afterlife.
During excavations near the cave, the remains of a temple were discovered: steps and Ionic columns with the names of the ancient Roman gods: Persephone - the goddess of fertility and the kingdom of the dead and Pluto - the ruler of the underworld. Thus, the find coincided with what the Greek historian and geographer Strabo, who lived at the turn of our era, told about this place.
“The fog is so thick here that anyone who enters the cave cannot see the ground under their feet and falls dead. I threw a few sparrows into the steam, and they instantly gave up their ghost,”wrote Strabo. Italian scientists have confirmed that the vapors are fatal to animals. “Several birds that tried to approach the warm steam died from carbon dioxide poisoning,” D'Andria said.
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Based on the descriptions of Strabo, the ancient Romans were also afraid to enter the cave. At the same time, the pilgrims swam in a sacred pool located not far from the temple, and also turned to the priests for prophecies. According to legend, under the influence of vapors, the soothsayers fell into a sacred ecstasy, reminiscent of the behavior of the Delphic pythia.
However, only priests were allowed directly to the sacrifice process. The curious had to watch from a safe distance how birds were launched into the poisonous fog and sacrificial bulls were brought. Only eunuchs, servants of the ancient goddess of fertility Cybele, could enter the gate without harm.
In the Christian era, the sanctuary of Pluto lost its significance, and later the building was destroyed by earthquakes.
"This is an exceptional find as it confirms information from an ancient historical source," Discovery quotes the University of Palermo's Roman literature specialist Alistair Filippini. Now scientists plan to recreate for tourists the "gates of hell" and the temple that was next to them, in the form of a virtual tour.
