"The ancient Greeks attached great importance to Iain Stewart, who was a professor of earth science communication at Plymouth University and director of the Institute of Sustainable Earth, but perhaps it was more systematic to build temples and cities near these sites than previously thought.
In a recent study published in the Journal of the Association of Geologists, Stewart showed how temples and other buildings in Mycenae, Ephesus, Nidos and Hilapolis were built and rebuilt on earthquake faults like Delphi.
For example, in today's destroyed ancient city of Knidos on the southwest coast of Turkey, locals built a temple in the same place-on a fault, although the earthquake destroyed it.
"You think,' This is unlucky, isn't it?' Stewart said that after reviewing his own data, he described the time when he first came to a conclusion. "Then you will understand. These people are not stupid. There is a big dawn, and there may be something intentional here.
Related: Babylonian inscriptions are considered to be the oldest triangular table in the world.
This pattern is repeated in other cities, which reflects how the Greeks regarded the mysterious power and knowledge of the underworld as the destination and source of the soul after death. Stuart said, "We have no culture of contempt." We have a culture of looking up at the stars. "
On the contrary, Stewart speculated in his paper that the earthquake activity may have cut off the hot springs, which proved the Oracle of Pelacho Lahoron, a refuge built near Corinth in the 9th century BC to commemorate the goddess Hera, but it may have been abandoned after the earthquake in 300 BC.
He added that Greeks would definitely not live in cities with skyscrapers and millions of residents. Earthquakes will be regarded as mysterious events, not natural disasters caused by plate movements. Stuart also said that historical and geological records show that earthquakes occurred frequently in the heyday of ancient Greek civilization.
"It is difficult for people (people today) to distinguish the modern view that earthquakes are dangerous," Stewart said. We know too much. We know what they can do. In ancient times, they would have very different views. In 30 seconds, the ground will open, and then everything will return to normal.
Related report: Antimony poisoning-not lead-may be the cause of the decline of the Roman Empire, Stewart added. Archaeologists may also visit sacred sites in South America and the Middle East, and whether earthquake fault lines in Asia played a role in their construction.
But Stewart admits that he is not an archaeologist. He said that more work is needed to fully explore his paper, adding that he published his paper to "inspire" other more qualified researchers to discuss this topic.
"I do realize that geologists make mistakes when they enter the field of archaeology," he said. I'm glad the archaeologist took us to do this work.
Originally published in The Explorer.