HOW WAS THE ROMAN 'GATE TO HELL' DISCOVERED?
Archaeologists believe that a large statue found at the site, previously believed to depict Apollo, is actually of Hades, Greek god of the underworld
Archaeologists reported in 2013 that they had discovered the 'Gates of Hell', a mythical portal to the underworld in Greek and Roman legend.
The site, in the ancient Phrygian city of Hierapolis, now Pamukkale in southwestern Turkey, closely matched historical descriptions of what was known as Ploutonion in Greek and Plutonium in Latin
In its heyday, a small temple with traditional Greco-Roman pillars was said to have stood next to wall with steps leading down to a cave doorway filled with foul and noxious gasses.
Describing the site, the Greek geographer Strabo, who lived from around 63 BC to 24 AD, said: 'This space is full of a vapour so misty and dense that one can scarcely see the ground.
'Any animal that passes inside meets instant death. I threw in sparrows and they immediately breathed their last and fell.'
A team led by Italian Archaeologist Francesco D'Andria, professor of classic archaeology at the University of Salento, discovered what they believe to be the ruins of the site.
Mr D'Andria said he and his team managed to pinpoint the location by reconstructing the route of a thermal spring.
Among the ruins the archaeologists found a cave with Ionic semi columns upon which were inscriptions with dedications to the gods of the underworld, including Pluto, also known as Hades.
Researchers saw several birds die as they tried to get close to the warm opening, instantly killed by carbon dioxide fumes.
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