New Evidence From Excavations In Arcadia, Greece, Supports Theory Of 'Birth Of Zeus'

ScienceDaily ^ | Monday, February 2, 2009 | University of Pennsylvania

[SunkenCiv]

A Greek and American team of archaeologists working on the Mt. Lykaion Excavation and Survey Project believe evidence indicates that Zeus' worship was established on Mt. Lykaion as early as the Late Helladic period, if not before, more than 3,200 years ago... Over fifty Mycenaean drinking vessels, or kylikes, were found on the bedrock at the bottom of the trench along with fragments of human and animal figurines and a miniature double headed axe. Also found were burned animal bones, mostly of goats and sheep, another indication consistent with Mycenaean cult activity... Evidence from subsequent periods in the same trench indicate that cult activity at the altar seems to have continued uninterrupted from the Mycenaean period down through the Hellenistic period (4th – 2nd centuries BCE), something that has been documented at very few sites in the Greek world... Also found in the altar trench was a sample of fulgurite or petrified lightning. This is a glass-like substance formed when lightning strikes sandy soil. It is not clear if the fulgurite was formed on the mountain-top or if it was brought to the site as a dedication to Zeus.

[SunkenCiv]

New Evidence from Excavations in Arcadia, Greece, Supports Theory of the "Birth of Zeus" -- and the Worship of the Father of Greek Gods -- on Mt. Lykaion

[SunkenCiv]

New Discoveries At The Ash Altar of Zeus, Mt Lykaion... Ancient Greece’s Most Powerful God
Penn Museum | 1-24-2008 | PennMuseum
Posted on 01/24/2008 3:20:28 PM PST by blam
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1959097/posts

[SunkenCiv]

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[SunkenCiv]

"Also found in the altar trench was a sample of fulgurite or petrified lightning."

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[northislander]

How many neopagan cults will this find foster?

[SunkenCiv]

Hard to say. Like a lot of people, pagans saddle on to anything that seems to prop up their beliefs.

By Zeus! (Greeks return to paganism)
Guardian | February 1, 2007
Posted on 02/07/2007 8:11:30 AM PST by NYer
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1780701/posts

[JoeProBono]

[mgstarr]

Like a lot of people, pagans saddle on to anything that seems to prop up their beliefs.

Indeed they do...

[Fred Nerks]

My Favourite Fulgurite:

[Seeing More Clearly Now]

To think Zeus’ cult has lasted all this time so it could be used to get Zeus Obama next to a Greek pillar at the Democratic Convention of 2008. Ironically “rule by Zeus” is the opposite of “rule by the people” (i.e, Democratic).

[ffusco]

Under their golden age of paganism the Greeks invented the scientific method, democracy, atomic theory and aesthetics. These institutions formed the foundation for later pagans to build on and embrace Chritianity.

[YOUGOTIT]

Thanks

[SunkenCiv]