1.
GV Hill upon which Nekromanteion Oracle site is located.
0.04

2.
LV Ditto.
0.07

3.
GV Walls of Nekromanteion temple.
0.10

4.
SIDE V..of the walls of Nekromanteion temple.
0.13

5.
CU "Curse Pebbles" - Thrown by dead on way to Hades.
0.14

6.
LV Entrance of the Labyrinth of the Nekromanteion.
0.18

7.
TV Ditto.
0.21

8.
SV Entrance of Pluto's (Hades) cave.
0.26

9.
CU Entrance to cave.
0.30

10.
SV A Greek Orthodox priest holds pertified mixtures of honey and wheat used by worshippers.
0.33

11.
CU Ditto.
0.36

12.
SV Man demonstrating two millstones.
0.40

13.
SV Various vases and amphorae found.
0.43

14.
SV Men unearthing relics.
0.47

15.
LV The Elysian Fields.
0.51

16.
GV Ditto.
0.55



Initials TDH/S/JH/PB



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: In the course of excavations in Thesprotia, the Greek Archaeological Society discovered the site of the Nekromanteion (Oracle of the Dead) of Acheron, where ancient Greeks worshipped Hades, the mythological god of the lower world, and his wife Persephone.

The temple, where the spirits of the dead were invoked, stands upon a hilltop overlooking the dried up bed of the Acherusian Lake, through which worshippers believed the dead passed on their way to the Kingdom of Hades. Another view from the temple overlooks the famous Elysian Fields, home of the blessed after death, the place of eternal and complete happiness, according to Greek mythology.

Although the site dates much earlier, it has been established that archaeological research was carried out as long ago as the 4th century B.C. Among the objects found on the site were ritual basins, a large number of amphorae - oil and wine containers, and earthenware statuette of Persephone, a wide range of votive offerings, and miscellaneous articles connected with the cult of worshipping the dead.