Archaeologists have discovered a 2,000-year-old labyrinth in India. It resembles the diagram depicted on an ancient Greek clay tablet from Pylos. The tablet is dated 1200 BC. /epochtimes.ru/
Labyrinth in the form of a square with an area of 17 sq. meters located in the village of Gedimedu in Tamil Nadu state in southern India. It was excavated by researchers from the archaeological and historical center of Verarajendran, the Times of India reported. An ancient trade route was located at this place.
Locals built a temple over the labyrinth. Archaeologists are planning to remove it to continue excavations.
Ravikumar, leader of the archaeological team, told the Times of India: “There is only one route in the maze that you can get out of. There is a belief that if a person manages to pass the labyrinth seven times, then his wishes will come true."
Ravikumar said: “The inner passages are 79 cm to 1.09 m wide. The entrance is located in the east. The layout of the labyrinth is exactly the same as we saw on the clay tablet from Pylos, which depicts one of the oldest labyrinths."
This tablet survived the fire of the Micaean Palace in Pylos in 1200 BC. It is one of the oldest depictions of labyrinths, making it an important artifact.
The Greeks, led by Alexander the Great, invaded India several centuries after the creation of this tablet. The labyrinth symbol spread from Greece to Egypt and other countries. On the Etruscan wine vessel of the 7th century. BC. there is an image of soldiers running away from the maze. The vessel also bears the inscription "Troy".
The Pylos tablet also has a connection with Troy. She was found in the house of Tsar Nestor, who participated in the conquest of Troy. The fall of Troy took place around 1250 BC.
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The labyrinth had extensive symbolism and different meanings in the ancient world. In some Asian countries, the labyrinth symbolized "the escape from samsara and the laws of karma." Samsara is a cycle of rebirth in the human world. Getting rid of samsara meant enlightenment and achieving immortality, says the "Encyclopedia of Traditional Symbols" by J. Cooper.
Labyrinths have also been associated with pristine forests, the movement of the sun, finding paradise, success after overcoming trials, and “traveling through the world's hardships and illusions to enlightenment or heaven,” Cooper writes. "The entrance to the labyrinth symbolized death, and the exit from it - rebirth."
Labyrinths were often depicted on houses. It was believed that they have a magical effect: they entangle evil spirits, preventing them from entering the house.
Mark Milner