Structures of Pluto’s Gate Uncovered in Turkey

News April 2, 2013

(Digital Reconstruction Courtesy Francesco D'Andria, University of Salento)
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(Digital Reconstruction Courtesy Francesco D'Andria, University of Salento)

ISTANBUL, TURKEY—Francesco D’Andria of the University of Salento announced that he has unearthed the structures of Pluto’s Gate, known as the portal to the underworld in Greco-Roman tradition, at the World Heritage site of Hierapolis in southwest Turkey. The remains of a temple, a pool, and a series of steps above a cave that emits poisonous gases were found, in addition to an inscription with a dedication to Pluto, ruler of the underworld, and Kore, or Persephone, whom he abducted. Before Hierapolis became a Roman city, the Plutonium’s cave was used in local religious rites by the eunuchs of the goddess Cybele.

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