Tom Parfitt in Moscow Friday September 8, 2006 The Guardian
Archaeologists in Ukraine have unearthed the remains of an ancient pyramidal structure that pre-dates those in Egypt by at least 300 years. The stone foundations of the structure, which probably resembled Aztec and Mayan ziggurats in South America, were discovered near the eastern city of Lugansk. It is thought they were laid about five millennia ago during the early Bronze Age by animists who worshipped a sun god. The "pyramid" is in fact a complex of temples and sacrificial altars topping a sculpted hillside with steps on its sides.
Viktor Klochko, head of the excavation, said the discovery was of international significance. "This is the first monument of its age and kind found in eastern Europe," he told the Guardian. "It changes our whole conception of the social structure and the level of development of the cattle breeders and farmers who were the direct ancestors of most European peoples." There are about 100 pyramids in Egypt, and the remains of Mesopotamian pyramids are preserved in Iraq and Iran. Ziggurats are also found in Mexico, and the Nubians built pyramids as burial sites for monarchs in the Nile valley. But pyramid structures are rare in Europe. One of the few is a Roman-era pyramid near Nice, France, that may have been built by legionnaires involved in an Egyptian cult.
Although graves have been found at the Lugansk site, archaeologists think it was used for sacrifice by burning, rather than as a burial ground. "People lived in the surrounding valleys and climbed up it to carry out their ceremonies," said Mr Klochko. "They had a pagan cult that bowed down to the sun, as did the ancestors of the Slavs."
Remains of sacrifice victims, ashes and ceramics have been found at the site, but no jewellery or treasure. The complex, which covered three-quarters of a square mile and was around 60 metres (192ft) high, was probably used for 2,000 years.
"What surprised me most is the scale of this enormous complex," Stanislav Mogilny, a student working on the excavation, told Russian television. It's just incredible - a titanic feat."
If these structures actually exist, considering the area that they are located in, they are no doubt descended from the Tripolya Neolithic culture of Eastern Europe that was centered in Ukraine but also present in Romania and Moldovia. There is even evidence of that culture spread as far west as Slovakia, Austria, and even Germany as cited here!
quote:...Viktor Klochko, head of the excavation, said the discovery was of international significance. "This is the first monument of its age and kind found in eastern Europe," he told the Guardian. "It changes our whole conception of the social structure and the level of development of the cattle breeders and farmers who were the direct ancestors of most European peoples."...
quote:...Although graves have been found at the Lugansk site, archaeologists think it was used for sacrifice by burning, rather than as a burial ground. "People lived in the surrounding valleys and climbed up it to carry out their ceremonies," said Mr Klochko. "They had a pagan cult that bowed down to the sun, as did the ancestors of the Slavs."
Remains of sacrifice victims, ashes and ceramics have been found at the site, but no jewellery or treasure. The complex, which covered three-quarters of a square mile and was around 60 metres (192ft) high, was probably used for 2,000 years...
Fascinating. The only question now is whether these people were Indo-European speakers or were they non-Indo-European predecessors of later IE speakers of the area.
quote:There are about 100 pyramids in Egypt, and the remains of Mesopotamian pyramids are preserved in Iraq and Iran. Ziggurats are also found in Mexico, and the Nubians built pyramids as burial sites for monarchs in the Nile valley. But pyramid structures are rare in Europe. One of the few is a Roman-era pyramid near Nice, France, that may have been built by legionnaires involved in an Egyptian cult.
So white folks got their pyramids after all! LOL But not really pyramids but pyramid-like structures.
Djehuti Member # 6698
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Supercar Member # 6477
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quote:Originally posted by Djehuti:
quote:There are about 100 pyramids in Egypt, and the remains of Mesopotamian pyramids are preserved in Iraq and Iran. Ziggurats are also found in Mexico, and the Nubians built pyramids as burial sites for monarchs in the Nile valley. But pyramid structures are rare in Europe. One of the few is a Roman-era pyramid near Nice, France, that may have been built by legionnaires involved in an Egyptian cult.
So white folks got their pyramids after all! LOL But not really pyramids but pyramid-like structures.
The fame of Egyptian pyramids has really worked on the psych of some Euro folks out there. LOL. The Sudanese have a number of pyramids comparable in design and antiquity with those in Egypt, but they don't seem to be overly enthusiastic about the prospect of having those pyramids on their land.
Arwa Member # 11172
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Hello all
I head there are pyramids in Somalia. Is that true?
Arwa
Djehuti Member # 6698
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^^That topic has been discussed before, here.
I don't know if they are really pyramids or just hills. One thing is for sure, you wouldn't get as much a 'rave' about it as these Europeans.
Djehuti Member # 6698
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Anyone else want to offer some input about this 'glorious' discovery of European Neolithic civilization?..
posted ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
But not really pyramids but pyramid-like structures.
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