According to legends the Greek God Zeus, protector of the thunders and lightening was born underneath earth’s womb. Now archeologists and historians hope to find out exactly where. Ancient Greeks started honoring their most powerful God in the Lykeon Mountain, region Arcadia on Peloponnese. Recently, a team of Greek and American archeologists made some excavations in the mountain and found traces from objects, often used for celebrating ceremonies. The scientists date the findings from thousands of years ago, which makes them the oldest connected to honoring Zeus.

This finding questions the belief that Zeus was born on Mount Kronos on Crete, which is claimed by at least one classic historian. David Romano, from the University of Pennsylvania, who was part of the team, which did the excavations claims that the findings are as old as the idea of Zeus, “the findings make us believe that on top of the mountain there were celebrations for the ancient Greek God from 3300-3400 years,” says Romano. Zeus is the most important figure in ancient Greek mythology, he is the protector of the sky and the number one ruler of Mount Olympus. He is father of the most important Gods – Athena, Goddess of wisdom and triumph; Apollo, God of the sun; Aphrodite, Goddess of love and beauty but also to many mortal heroes like Heracles.   

So enough with the legends, which are passed from mouth to mouth and change throughout the years. Historians and archeologists have always been trying to find some facts, which would at least vaguely prove that myth and reality have a touching point. There are temples of Zeus all around Greece but the earliest place where ancient Greeks have celebrated ceremonies, in order to placate their God can be his birthplace. During the diggings at Mount Lykeon, where according to ancient Greeks was Zeus’  “ashy altar,” the archeologists found over 50 drinking plates, fragments from terracotta figurines of people and animals, burnt bones of sheep, and goats. All findings coincide with the cult accessories from the Mycenaean Civilization, which was living in Greece 3000-4000 years ago.

The altars found at Mount Lykeon are very rare for ancient Greek civilization and their age coincides with the first appearance of the name Zeus in the ancient Greek sources. Archeologists believe that the cult ceremonies were honoring the person himself. Honoring the God Zeus in Mount Lykeon started during the classical Greek antiquity, claims the team of scientists from Pennsylvania and Arizona Universities and from the Greek archeological council. The upper and shorter earth layers contained silver coins and hand-made bronze figurines – all devoted to Zeus.