Pluto’s ‘gate to hell’ discovered in Turkey
ITALY: Italian archaeologists have discovered the ruins of an ancient
mythological cave in Turkey, believed to be the “gate to hell” emitting
fatal carbon fumes. Described as Pluto’s Gate, the cave was celebrated
as the portal to the underworld in Greco-Roman mythology and tradition.
Historians located the site in the ancient Phrygian city of
Hierapolis, now Pamukkale, describing the opening as filled with lethal
mephitic vapours, the ‘Discovery News’ reported.
“This space is full of a vapour so misty and dense that one can
scarcely see the ground. Any animal that passes inside meets instant
death,” Greek geographer Strabo, who lived between 64/63 BC -about 24
AD, wrote.
“I threw in sparrows and they immediately breathed their last and
fell,” he added.
The finding was made by a team led by Francesco D’Andria, professor
of classic archaeology at the University of Salento, who conducted
extensive archaeological research at the World Heritage Site of
Hierapolis.
“We found the Plutonium by reconstructing the route of a thermal
spring. Indeed, Pamukkale’ springs, which produce the famous white
travertine terraces originate from this cave,” D’Andria said.
Deccan Herald
“People could watch the sacred rites from these steps, but they could
not get to the area near the opening. Only the priests could stand in
front of the portal,” D’Andria said.
Small birds were given to pilgrims to test the deadly effects of the
cave, while hallucinated priests sacrificed bulls to Pluto, he said.
The ceremony included leading the animals into the cave, and dragging
them out dead.
“We 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 fumes,” D’Andria said.
Only the eunuchs of Cybele, an ancient fertility goddess, were able
to enter the hell gate without any apparent damage, the report said.
“They hold their breath as much as they can,” Strabo wrote, adding
that their immunity could have been due to their “menomation”, “divine
providence” or “certain physical powers that are antidotes against the
vapour”.
D’Andria said the site was fully functional until 4th century AD, and
occasionally visited during the following two centuries.
- DECCAN HERALD
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