At the Southeastern edge of the plain of Argos, near the springs of river Erasinos (spring of Kefalari (Argolis)) and on the main arterial road which in antiquity led from Argos to Tegea and the rest of Arcadia and Kynouria, there is a small mysterious structure extant known as the Pyramid of Hellenikon.
Some historians believe it was constructed roughly around 2720 BC, which truly boggles the mind. That construction date would make it significantly older than all of the Egyptian pyramids.
The entire structure is built from grey limestone from the district in the form of large blocks used in a trapezoidal/partially polygonal system.
The size of the Hellenikon Pyramid is considerably smaller than those in Egypt; the external base is just 7 metres by 9 metres. Another difference is that it did not have a pointed top. The walls slope at an angle of 60 degrees for 3.5 metres after which there was a flat surface. Internally there is a narrow corridor leading off the entrance at the South East side of the pyramid. This corridor provides access to the main interior room which is around 7 metres square.
The actual purpose or use of the Ancient Greek pyramid of Hellenikon is still unknown.There are a number of ideas relating to the potential use of the pyramids.
According to one notion, the Hellenikon pyramid was a military base or marks the site at which a battle took place once, to honor those who died.
Various other archaeologists also suggest that the pyramid of Hellinikon could be a memorial of sorts, but differ as to what is being memorialized. On a more practical level, it could also be an observation-communication tower that was used for controlling the surrounding area. Some others even suggest that the pyramid was used for sending smoke signals.
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_pyramids
https://greekreporter.com/2024/10/26/ancient-pyramid-greece/
https://www.aspel.gr/elliniko.html
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| Hellenikon Pyramid (Image credit: Greek Reporter) |
Some historians believe it was constructed roughly around 2720 BC, which truly boggles the mind. That construction date would make it significantly older than all of the Egyptian pyramids.
The entire structure is built from grey limestone from the district in the form of large blocks used in a trapezoidal/partially polygonal system.
_-_1887.jpg) |
| Image credit: Wikipedia |
The size of the Hellenikon Pyramid is considerably smaller than those in Egypt; the external base is just 7 metres by 9 metres. Another difference is that it did not have a pointed top. The walls slope at an angle of 60 degrees for 3.5 metres after which there was a flat surface. Internally there is a narrow corridor leading off the entrance at the South East side of the pyramid. This corridor provides access to the main interior room which is around 7 metres square.
 |
| The corridor inside Hellenikon Pyramid (Image credit: aspel.gr) |
The actual purpose or use of the Ancient Greek pyramid of Hellenikon is still unknown.There are a number of ideas relating to the potential use of the pyramids.
According to one notion, the Hellenikon pyramid was a military base or marks the site at which a battle took place once, to honor those who died.
Various other archaeologists also suggest that the pyramid of Hellinikon could be a memorial of sorts, but differ as to what is being memorialized. On a more practical level, it could also be an observation-communication tower that was used for controlling the surrounding area. Some others even suggest that the pyramid was used for sending smoke signals.
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_pyramids
https://greekreporter.com/2024/10/26/ancient-pyramid-greece/
https://www.aspel.gr/elliniko.html
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