A video argues that the small Cyclopean buildings at Hellenikon are much older than their conventional 4th-century BC date. It cites thermoluminescence results of roughly 2000–2500 BC and Early Helladic pottery of roughly 2500–2800 BC from beneath the pyramid. Those finds do not directly date the small buildings: the pottery dates the deposits, while Pausanias’ later account gives no construction chronology. The 2000–2800 BC date remains the video’s proposal, not an established archaeological conclusion.
Video argues Hellenikon’s disputed “Cyclopean” buildings date to 2000–2800 BC
GreeceTheory
Key facts
- The small Cyclopean buildings at Hellenikon are conventionally dated to the 4th century BC, chiefly through architectural and stylistic comparisons with dated remains.
- The video cites thermoluminescence results of approximately 2000–2500 BC. Thermoluminescence dates the last heating of sampled material, so its relevance to the buildings depends on the samples and their archaeological context.
- The video also cites Early Helladic pottery dated approximately 2500–2800 BC from beneath the pyramid. The pottery dates deposits or earlier activity, not automatically the small buildings above.
- Pausanias mentions Hellenikon and its ruins, but his much later account does not independently establish an early Mycenaean or 2000–2800 BC construction date for the small buildings.
- Mainstream chronology places Mycenaean culture around the 15th century BC and later. The proposed 2000–2800 BC construction date, and the criticism of experts who dismiss it, are the video presenter’s interpretation.
Sources
Ancient Pyramid of Greece Sparks Controversygreekreporter.com
The trouble with the story of the Hellinikon pyramid is that scholars of Greek antiquity have disputed its period and purpose.
Greek pyramidsen.wikipedia.org
There is considerable controversy about the dates of these structures, with conflict between dating based on archeological excavations and dating through ...
The Greek Pyramids of Argolis: Mystery, Dating ...greekcitytimes.com
The Hellenikon pyramid is the most studied and intact, featuring a long entrance corridor, internal rooms, cisterns for water supply, small ...
The Hellinikon: were the Greeks building Pyramids before ...historicmysteries.com
It is important as well to note that the early dating of the pyramid is controversial, and other suggestions have been put forward which would ...
What Culture built the Greek "Pyramid" of Hellinikon?historum.com
I understand that some ceramics dating has dated it to the proto-heladic, whiles other maintain that they are Classical era structures.
Tiryns: A Mycenaean fortress in the Peloponnese, Greecepetersommer.com
Discover the ancient fortifications and palatial complex of the great Bronze Age Mycenaean citadel of Tiryns in the Peloponnese, Greece.
Travel: Pyramids of the Peloponnese, Greeceworld-archaeology.com
There are few historical references to the Pyramid of Hellinikon, perhaps because Greece is spoiled for choice when it comes to archaeology.
The Pyramid of Hellinikoneternalgreece.com
Archaeologists believe that it was either a memorial or observation-communication towers (phryctoriae) but there are several other theories, ...
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