Pyramids of Greece

[Ellinas]

THE PYRAMID OF HELLENICON
(Location: Hellenikon Village, Argolis.)



The Academy of Athens has published results of dating the Hellenikon pyramid (9-2-1995). Dating measurements were performed by the Laboratory of Archaeometry at Dimokritos Resarch Institute in Athens and by the Nuclear Dating Laboratory of the department of Physics at the University of Edinbourgh in Scotland. The method of Optical Thermoluminescence was employed to date samples taken from the pyramid. It was determined that the pyramid was erected at about 2720 B.C. It must be noted that, according to these results, the Hellenikon pyramid predates, by at least 100 years, the oldest Egyptian pyramid (Djoser - 2620 B.C.) and by 170 years the Great Pyramid of Cheops (Khufu - 2550 B.C.) .

Historical References.

Although the pyramoid structures of Argolis are of great interest, writen references are rather scarce
Pausanias (2nd century A.D.) regards the structure as a "polyandrium" i.e. a group burial monument for the citizens of Argos (Perieg. Korinthiaka: 2, 25, 7).
In particular, for the pyramid at Hellenikon writes: " ...walking on the road away from from Argos towards Epidaurus there is a pyramid structure on our right, it is adorned with shields in the Argolic style..." and he continues to say that the pyramid was erected after the fratricidal battle between the twin brothers, Proetus and Akrisius, during a war of succesion following the death of their father, king Avas of Argos. The battle ended in a deadlock and the pyramid was erected as a burial monument in honour of the fallen in this battle.
Pausanias also says that, in this battle, shields (aspides) were employed for the first time. This later remark by Pausanias is indicative of the great antiquity of the structure.

References and further reading:

Books (In Greek)
The Mystery of Greek Pyramoids. I Lyritzis. Academy of Delfic Studies. 1998
Pyramids in Greece. C. Lazos. Aiolos. (1995)
Davlos (magazine) vol. 156(pp 9214), 176(pp 10417).

Links

The Nuclear Dating Laboratory, University of Edinbourgh:
http://www.ph.ed.ac.uk/courseinfo/po...ml/node68.html

A paper giving the basic principle of Luminescene Dating: (in pdf format)
http://www.ph.ed.ac.uk/postgraduate/Nucl-Dat.pdf

The Demokritos Research Institute:
http://www.demokritos.gr/

Davlos Magazine:
http://www.davlos.gr/

The Hellenic Ministry of Culture has a brief page on the Hellenikon Pyramid, with some good photographs. The authors seem to be unaware of the later studies on the pyramid. As a result their comments on the age of the structure are unfortunately out of date: www.culture.gr/2/21/211/21104a/e211da11.html

[Ellinas]

THE CHANIA PYRAMID

This unique structure is a monolithic cone carved out of a huge rock.



The existense of this structure is largely unknown to the public and has never been studied in any way. Its age and possible uses have not been ascertained. It is thought, however, that it a structure of some considerable prehistoric antiquity.
The pyramid is located in the south of the Chania area, in the island of Crete, at an altitute of 290 m above sea level.
Its approximate dimensions are: Heihgt: 8.5 m, Circumference at the base: 29 m. The interior of the cone has a chamber, carved out of the solid rock, of approximate dimensions(lxwxh): 2.2 X 2.1 X 1.4 m and its entrance is to the west of the structure.
The aproximate dimensions of the entrance are: 1.2 X 0.7 m. and the floor of the chamber is 4.6 m below the apex of the cone.



The entrance to the chamber.

[Ellinas]

Rock-pyramids

These rock structures are still subject of cotroversy, as to whether they are manmade or natural occurences. Some researchers are convinced that this structure, found on one of the peaks of mount Taygetus, was carved by the hand of man, in remote antiquity, to form this pyramid shape. Others however believe that this is nothing but an natural rock formation. .

THE PYRAMID OF MOUNT TAYGETUS



Visitors to this area, however, are surprised by the abrupt change in the texture of the rock surface near the base of the "pyramid". It is very striking the smooth texture of the rock surface above the base level of the "pyramid" when compared to the surrounding ground below. No erosion mechanism has been suggested (to date) which could create this shape naturally. Particularly curious are the strange shadows cast at dawn and sunset.





ROCK PYRAMID IN CRETE

(No information about)

[Ellinas]

THE LIGOURION PYRAMID

This Pyramid is found in northwestern Peloponnese, near the village of Ligourion, on the foot of mount Arachnaeum, not far from the site of ancient Epidaurus.

Its base has approximate dimensions of 14 X 12 metres and its has been dated to about 2100 B.C. with the method o thermoluminescence.

(Gravure from a publication of the "French Scientific Expedition in Morea" showing the Pyramid as it was in 18th century.)



The photograph below shows the pyramid as it is today, almost razed to the ground, with only a few stone blocks still in their original places. Sandstone blocks from the pyramid can be seen embeded in the walls of near by church. It is also reported that, in the past, the pyramid was used as a source of ready masonry for the buildng houses in the village of Ligourion.


Source : "Pyramids in Greece" Christos Lazos, Pub: Aiolos

[Ellinas]

Greco report's article about the Greek pyramids:

http://www.grecoreport.com/pyramids_...nt_greece1.htm

[Prokomenos]

You have to give it to our ancestors. No wonder why everyone wants to be Greek. Great post Ellinas.

[Psaltis]

Greece will always be remembered and valued highly by others. We create almost everything.

[pankration]

Any information as to what was in the pyramids? Uses?

[Ellinas]

The pyramid of Hellenikon, which is the most famous pyramid of Greece, was a tomb memorial. Pausanias said once that it was dedicated to the first battle soldiers used shields!

I don't know something specific about the others.

[Hellenic]

Have seen many topics in regards to Hellenic Pyramids i must stress out this topic is far superior on information with pictures, never knew there were so many! A to what they were used for is just that "unknown" by us today. There have been many theories to what their uses may have been for, then again do we realy need to know ! why not keep it as a mystery.