The Gates of Hell

Scientists are always looking for new and interesting things, but sometimes along the way, they discover old and interesting things ... like the Gates of Hell.

Yes, Dear Readers, according to this article, scientists excavating the site of Hierapolis in Turkey have discovered the location once known as Pluto's Gate: Plutonium - the very gates of hell. It's a cave that exudes poisonous vapors, as documented thousands of years ago when Greek historian Strabo wrote that:

“This space is full of a vapor 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.”

I've been in men's locker rooms that were like that.

Although the scientists believe that this site is the actual location of the fabled Gates of Hell, there are other sites which lay claim to this honor. One of them, according to the article, is a fiery pit in the depths of the Karakum Desert. Another is the Biblical valley of Gehenna. And yet another is Detroit, as immortalized in the classic film Kentucky Fried Movie ...

And Pyongyang is probably up there on the list, too, but Kim Jong-Un will be getting around to threatening it with nuclear destruction before too long, so we'll pass on it.

Just a little note on places you may wish to avoid when planning your next vacation.

Have a good day. See you back here for Cartoon Saturday.

Bilbo