A dark mystery surrounds the ancient Greek temple, which, after a whole cascade of inexplicable deaths, was named the "Gates of Hell".
According to media reports, for many years any animal or bird, as soon as they approach the portal of the temple, fell dead. Some have claimed that they were killed by the deadly breath of Hades, the ancient Greek god of the underworld.
According to legend, in the days of ancient Greece and Rome, people also died if they dared to approach the Gates of Hell.
However, scientists now believe that the mysterious deaths near several temples, hidden in the ruins of the ancient Phrygian city of Hierapolis, are explained by the lethal concentration of carbon dioxide CO2. The results of the new study were published in the journal Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences.
It can be stated with certainty that decades before the birth of Christ, this place was described by the famous Greek historian and geographer Strabo, who argued that it was deadly to enter the portal.
Strabo wrote: “This space is filled with steam, so foggy and dense that you can hardly see the earth through it. Any animal that gets inside will die instantly. I threw the sparrows there, and they immediately breathed their last and fell down dead."
While this may sound like another mystical nonsense like Indiana Jones, there seems to be some real danger behind the mysterious phenomenon that needs to be scientifically explored. After all, birds really died an instant death in this place, and this happened, including quite recently.
Among the ruins, archaeologists have discovered a cave with Ionic semi-columns. On them were inscriptions with dedications to other gods of the underworld - Pluto and Kore.
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Italian archaeologist Francesco D'Andria told Discovery News: “We observed the destructive properties of this cave during excavations. Several birds died when they tried to approach the warm holes leading to the grotto. They were instantly killed by the carbon dioxide fumes."
D'Andria also states that small birds were given to pilgrims arriving at the site so that they could be convinced of the deadly power of this mysterious cave.
It was said that the clergy, who once sacrificed bulls here to the god Pluto, experienced insane hallucinations under the influence of toxic fumes.
Professor Hardy Pfanz of the University of Duisburg-Essen in Germany, said the study found sources of high concentrations of carbon dioxide.
He believes that the grotto may be located directly above the Badadag fault line, through which toxic gases from the earth's crust may be released.
The study report states: “In the grotto under the Temple of Pluto, the concentration of carbon dioxide was fatal. It went up to 91 percent. It is amazing that these vapors are still released in concentrations that kill insects, birds and mammals."
Igor Abramov
