Secrets at the Gates of Hell: Mysterious Structures Unearthed

26th March, 2024 CHIRANJIT MITRA CHIRANJIT MITRA

[{"selector":"#anim-f301aa8a-c5cc-4b96-bc06-349fa5aa4526 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-2.4098038643174178%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bb2ca531-027b-4bf7-a9ab-79af7c1a2462","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a93c58fa-db89-4cb4-a82b-4481345f0c25","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] In a scorching volcanic field nicknamed the "gates of hell," archaeologists have made a baffling discovery. Learn more

[{"selector":"#anim-242ea595-82c3-4982-a922-388d4b933001 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(41.50712216065469%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c95adc02-22e1-4621-a3c5-d16463e7fc54","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-abefe0fe-3209-4908-903c-5c6b4c81042c","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Nestled within the inhospitable lava flows of Harrat Khaybar, Saudi Arabia, lie the remains of strange, ancient structures.

[{"selector":"#anim-77177253-c934-404f-8fa8-6f9d09c35371 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(29.1195939821314%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6763ab42-1b45-4021-af84-7440aa8407f0","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7868cd9e-3e13-42e3-a9a7-72e9e63fd832","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] The stone formations resemble field gates from above, hence the region's ominous name.

[{"selector":"#anim-4eee97a5-16d4-4d96-b1e6-6e329b71ca6e [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-22.8311500348623%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-50eadb3f-abd8-4806-a215-1bb371cb20b8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ef2727b9-5958-4622-8d36-435212aae048","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Some "gates" are built on volcanic domes, where lava once spewed molten rock.

[{"selector":"#anim-0a970905-c461-4947-a13f-57d7fb0d5062 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-26.38521338147476%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-70358b2f-ece8-4618-820c-ae056141aa25","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9d84ece5-3d23-418a-a5d2-f5a08cfc9abb","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] These structures are thousands of years old, their purpose lost to the sands of time.

[{"selector":"#anim-33d0f030-1368-4435-ba7c-4d35155d0433 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-29.65633937677224%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-033f2a60-a330-4bf9-bd77-1e0d415e5b8e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-77c43355-ef93-46e9-bb4d-6d46c74db5ea","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Were they animal traps? Ritual sites? Something else entirely? The mystery deepens...

[{"selector":"#anim-004a6850-b695-40e2-8e4a-169d26bf9892 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-9.074902318620353%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8f22564f-5e22-472d-8c89-25152e4cdcff","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-077de07f-2794-4c44-a344-4b6472fe100a","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Scientists are now studying the structures, hoping to unlock their ancient secrets. Learn more

[{"selector":"#anim-51f7c5b9-454a-49dc-9725-fee8c050655c [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-54.95224635535375%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d11e9c77-df38-4150-a400-f43b675a2d48","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-87d1c7cb-02d0-4e08-8908-ecbe04ecad43","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] What will these relics of the "gates of hell" reveal about the people who built them? Learn more