Article content

Archaeologists have discovered a “gate to hell” at a dig site in Turkey.

The ruin is known as Pluto’s Gate, and was fabled as the doors to the underworld in both Greek and Roman traditions. The gate is known as the Plutonium in Latin.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Archaeologists find 'gate to hell' in Turkey emitting noxious gases Back to video

The cave where the ruins were located emit dangerous and poisonous gasses, much like the gate was said to do in Greek mythology.

We found the Plutonium by reconstructing the route of a thermal spring

“We could see the cave’s lethal properties during the excavation. Several birds died as they tried to get close to the warm opening, instantly killed by the carbon dioxide fumes,” Francesco D’Andria, professor of classic archaeology at the University of Salento, told Discovery News.

The gates were part of a much larger dig site around the ancient city of Hierapolis.

“We found the Plutonium by reconstructing the route of a thermal spring. Indeed, Pamukkale’ springs, which produce the famous white travertine terraces originate from this cave,” D’Andria told Discovery News.