A building with a labyrinth was found on the Greek island of Crete, where rituals were performed 4000 years ago. Photo

Archaeologists report that a 4000-year-old circular structure discovered on top of a hill in Greece may have been used for ancient Minoan rituals. The unique building was discovered on top of a hill about 51 kilometers from the capital of Crete.

Representatives of the Greek Ministry of Culture said that the building, which consists of eight overlapping stone rings with small walls, is something like a labyrinth. Perhaps this is the legendary labyrinth built for King Minos, livescience writes.

Based on the style of the ceramic fragments discovered during the excavations, archaeologists suggest that the mysterious structure is unique to Crete, as it was probably built by the Minoans between 2000 and 1700 BC. The Bronze Age Minoan culture is called the first true civilization in Europe. It left behind samples of unique ceramics, jewelry, frescoes, and an innovative writing system that has not been fully deciphered.

The discovered labyrinth, which resembles a wheel from a bird's eye view, consists of eight concentric circular walls with an average thickness of 1.4 meters and a maximum height of 1.7 meters. In the center of the labyrinth is a circular building divided into four quadrants. The total area of the unusual find is 1800 square meters.

During excavations in the inner rings of the labyrinth, archaeologists found many bones. Therefore, experts believe that this structure was probably a ceremonial place where rituals related to feasting and animal sacrifice were held.

Fans of ancient Greek myths began to call this labyrinth the mystical lair of the Minotaur. However, scientists emphasize that the Minotaur is only a fictional creature whose labyrinth was located underground in the myth.

Interestingly, the discovered labyrinth, which is located on top of a 494-meter-high hill, was found during the installation of a radar system for a new airport serving the city of Castelli. Now a new location for the radar equipment will have to be found, as the ancient site will have to be explored by archaeologists and made an archaeological site.

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