Unusual Tournament Posted February 26, 2017 #1 Share Posted February 26, 2017 Pyramids in Greece The ancient pyramids of Egypt,and even Mexico and South America, attract visitors each year. But, few are aware of the pyramids of Greece. There are 16 known structures found in Greece, but unlike the Egyptian pyramids, these were not used as burial tombs. The pyramids of Greece are considerably smaller in structure and less impressive, but most are thought to predate the Egyptian pyramids. The limestone pyramids give rise to much speculation as to how they were constructed and by whom. Hellenikon Pyramid The remains of the ancient Hellenikon pyramid are west of Athens near Argos in Peloppenesus. The limestone structure is made up of stones in trapezoidal and polygon shapes that fit perfectly together without evidence of cement holding them in place. Various researchers place the time of the construction of this pyramid between 2700 BC and 400 BC. However, according to optical thermolumenescence dating conducted by the Laboratory of Archaeometry in Athens, the pyramid dates to 2720 BC. This determination predates the oldest Egyptian pyramids by 100 years. The pyramid has an open side which has led archeologists and historians to speculate that it was used as a fort or shelter for soldiers. The opening overlooks a plain which may have been under water in ancient times, causing some to speculate it may have been used as a sort of lighthouse. Ligourion Pyramid The Ligourion pyramid is found in northwestern Peloppenesus. Dating of the limestone structure indicates it was constructed around 2100 BC. Little of the original structure remains as blocks were removed through the years for building structures in the village of Ligourion. Mount Taygetos Mount Taygetos is the highest peak of a mountain range in southern Greece. The peak is in a pyramid shape. Some researchers believe that the pyramid shape was carved on the mountain by man. Others believe that it is a natural formation. However, it has not been possible to determine erosion methods that would create such a smooth surface. The pyramid casts strange shadows at dawn and sunset. Water Catchers Thirteen limestone pyramids were constructed near Theodosia in Crimea 2500 years ago. Archeologists speculate that the pyramids were used as water catchers. The pyramids rose about 40 feet high around the city. Warm winds blew through the porous rock causing moisture to form. The condensation fell to the base of the pyramids and was captured in a network of clay pipes providing water for the city. Archeologists estimate that each pyramid was capable of providing 14,000 gallons of water each day. http://traveltips.usatoday.com/pyramids-greece-58545.html 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DebDandelion Posted February 26, 2017 #2 Share Posted February 26, 2017 Thank u. I learnt something 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herr Falukorv Posted February 26, 2017 #3 Share Posted February 26, 2017 (edited) 5 hours ago, Captain Risky said: Thirteen limestone pyramids were constructed near Theodosia in Crimea 2500 years ago. Archeologists speculate that the pyramids were used as water catchers. The pyramids rose about 40 feet high around the city. Warm winds blew through the porous rock causing moisture to form. The condensation fell to the base of the pyramids and was captured in a network of clay pipes providing water for the city. Archeologists estimate that each pyramid was capable of providing 14,000 gallons of water each day. Those facts are a bit wrong... In 1900, near the site of the ancient Byzantine city of Theodosia, thirteen large piles of stones were discovered by Zibold who was a forester and engineer in charge of this area. Each stone pile covered just over 900 square metres (9,700 sq ft) and was about 10 metres (33 ft) tall. The finds were associated with the remains of 75-millimetre diameter (3.0 in) terracotta pipes that apparently led to wells and fountains in the city. Zibold concluded that the stacks of stone were condensers that supplied Theodosia with water; and calculated that each air well produced more than 55,400 litres (12,200 imp gal; 14,600 US gal) each day. To verify his hypothesis Zibold constructed a stone-pile condenser at an altitude of 288 metres (945 ft) on mount Tepe-Oba near the ancient site of Theodosia. Zibold’s condenser was surrounded by a wall 1 metre (3 ft 3 in) high, 20 metres (66 ft) wide, around a bowl-shaped collection area with drainage. He used sea stones 10–40 centimetres (3.9–15.7 in) in diameter piled 6 metres (20 ft) high in a truncated cone that was 8 metres (26 ft) in diameter across the top. The shape of the stone pile allowed a good air flow with only minimal thermal contact between the stones. Zibold's condenser began to operate in 1912 with a maximum daily production that was later estimated to have been 360 litres (79 imp gal; 95 US gal) – Zibold made no public record of his results at the time. The base developed leaks that forced the experiment to end in 1915 and the site was partially dismantled before being abandoned. (The site was rediscovered in 1993 and cleaned up.) Zibold's condenser was approximately the same size as the ancient stone piles that had been found, and although the yield was very much less than the yield Zibold had calculated for the original structures, the experiment was an inspiration for later developers. Edited February 26, 2017 by Herr Falukorv 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenemet Posted February 26, 2017 #4 Share Posted February 26, 2017 I'm always a little suspicious of claims of "pyramids!" so I went to google for some answers. It turns out that the case isn't quite that clear-cut... and some may have been guard towers (as suggested by oil lamps, floor remains, and so forth.) The "limestone pyramid" near Theodosia appears to be the old "air wells" and is described as "a truncated cone of beach pebbles". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_well_(condenser)#Zibold.27s_collector 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unusual Tournament Posted February 27, 2017 Author #5 Share Posted February 27, 2017 14 hours ago, Kenemet said: I'm always a little suspicious of claims of "pyramids!" so I went to google for some answers. It turns out that the case isn't quite that clear-cut... and some may have been guard towers (as suggested by oil lamps, floor remains, and so forth.) Yeah me to. When compared to the size and majesty of the Egyptian pyramids these Greek ones pale in significance. Mind you that doesn't mean that they might not be as old or even that the foundations for something larger just hasn't been found yet. I've read two conflicting dates and both are out by 2000 years. So maybe they were ceremonial or watch towers from an earlier period... either way very interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenemet Posted February 28, 2017 #6 Share Posted February 28, 2017 On 2/26/2017 at 10:57 PM, Captain Risky said: Yeah me to. When compared to the size and majesty of the Egyptian pyramids these Greek ones pale in significance. Mind you that doesn't mean that they might not be as old or even that the foundations for something larger just hasn't been found yet. I've read two conflicting dates and both are out by 2000 years. So maybe they were ceremonial or watch towers from an earlier period... either way very interesting. They're also not pyramids. What they ARE, however, is very cool ancient water-gathering technology that could be useful and re-created as we have droughts here on Earth. As to the watch towers, they're kinda neat but not nearly as exciting. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unusual Tournament Posted February 28, 2017 Author #7 Share Posted February 28, 2017 4 hours ago, Kenemet said: They're also not pyramids. Agreed! The ones in Crimea are not. But according the the article the other ones in Greece are. Not as magnificent as the Egyptian ones but still pyramidal in shape... well they once were. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Russ Posted February 28, 2017 #8 Share Posted February 28, 2017 Good to see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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