Historians have debunked the popular myth of the ancient Greek city

(ORDO NEWS) — Experts from California State University at Long Beach were able to debunk a very common myth that concerned the ancient Greek city of Sparta. They found evidence that no one actually threw physically challenged babies off a cliff. An article on this topic, written by historian Debbie Snead, has been published in the scientific journal Hesperia.

At the beginning of this century, archaeologists were unable to find the remains of children near the mountain from which they were allegedly dumped in the ancient city. A huge number of bones were found only in the immediate vicinity of Athens, but further analysis showed that all newborns died immediately during childbirth or immediately afterwards as a result of natural causes. It is worth noting that in ancient Greece, mortality among children was incredibly high, so even some kind of intervention was not required.

Among the skeletons, experts found remains that have traces of a severe form of hydrocephalus. This disease provokes the accumulation of large amounts of fluid in the brain. Because of this, the skull is deformed, which becomes noticeable immediately after birth. The baby lived a little over six months before he died.

Debbie Snead also speaks of notes made by a Greek physician in 400 BC detailing the care of people who were “withered from birth”. Their disability was evident even in childhood, but they still lived to adulthood. Throughout Greece, experts have found special bottles with a neck, which, according to their assumptions, could be used to feed children with a “cleft lip.”

Earlier we wrote that archaeologists have come close to solving the mystery of Cleopatra’s burial in Egypt.

And also recall that the girl found a coin minted almost two thousand years ago.

—

Online:

Contact us: [email protected]

Our Standards, Terms of Use: Standard Terms And Conditions.