(ANSA) - Trapani, January 16 - Italian archaeologists have
found the oldest ever evidence of the cult of ancient
mythological figure Hekate at an ancient Greek city in Sicily.
"They have detected the oldest ever evidence in the Greek
world of the cult of Hekate, a pre-IndoEuropean god taken up by
the Greeks who reigned over the evil demons, the night and the
moon," said Selinunte Archaeological park Director Enrico
Caruso.
The archaeological team used thermal cameras to identify
fresh structures at Selinunte near Trapani, including a large
temple.
Selinunte was an ancient Greek city on the south-western
coast of Sicily in Italy, situated between the valleys of the
Cottone and Modione rivers.
The archaeological site contains five temples centered on an
acropolis.
Of the five temples, only the Temple of Hera, also known as
"Temple E", has been re-erected.
At its peak before 409 BC the city may have contained up to
30,000 people, excluding slaves.
Oldest ever trace of Hekate cult found (2)
fresh discoveries at Sicilian site