Has the Gate to Hell Been Found??

Dubbed “Pluto’s Gate,” scientists announced last month at an archaeological conference that they have found the “legendary portal to the underworld,” complete with poisonous gases.

Francesco D’Andria, a professor of classic archaeology at the University of Salento in Lecce, Italy, led the research team, using ancient mythology as his guide through Turkey.

Roman writer-orator-philosopher Cicero and Greek geographer Strabo wrote about the “Gate to Hell” as being located at the (now-ancient) Heirapolis site in Turkey, but until last month, it had never been found.

According to Discovery News, “[carbon dioxide] fumes emanat[e] from a cave below the site, which includes ionic columns with inscriptions to Pluto and Kore, gods of the underworld.

The remains of a temple, a pool, and stairs above the cave have also been discovered.

D’Andria is currently working on a digital rendering of the site, such as the one below.

Digital reconstruction of "Pluto's Gate" (Francesco D'Andria)

Digital reconstruction of “Pluto’s Gate” (Francesco D’Andria)

[Via Yahoo! News]


Geeks are Sexy needs YOUR help. Learn more about how YOU can support us here.