Kangelu may be Mithraist temple?

We may be seeing, some evidence of a Mithraist Temple with the recent work being done on the Kangelo Monument and surrounding area.

Earlier this year, they uncovered a grave from the Site which caused some questions to arise

www.chn.ir...

Signet Ring Found in a Sassanid Grave in Mazandaran

Tehran, 27 May 2006 (CHN) -- A grave belonging to the Sassanid era was discovered during sounding activities by archeologists near Kangelou historical fortress in Mazandaran province in which a signet ring with Pahlavi-Sassanid script carved on it was found.

“This Sassanid grave was discovered during the sounding activities aimed at finding the pathway to Kangelou Fortress in Savad Kooh in the northern Iranian province of Mazandaran.

The text goes on explaining the find, and such.

Then this week, Iran is annoucing this may well be a Mithraist Temple.

www.chn.ir...
Traces of Mithraism Found in Mazandaran Province

Tehran, 8 June 2006 (CHN) -- Discovery of some Mithraism symbols such as cypress, a goat and an inscription in Sassanid-Pahlavi language and Mithraism architectural style in Kangelou Fortress all have strengthened the theory that this historical monument was used as a worship place during the ancient times.

It goes on to explain some of the background and relates some comparative considerations

Mithraism was an ancient mysterious religion prominent from the 1st century BC to the 5th century AD. Mithraism apparently originated in the eastern part of today’s Iran around the 7th century BC. It was based on worship to the goddess Mithras and derives from the Persian and Indic god Mithra and other Zoroastrian deities. Mithras was known throughout Europe and Asia by the names Mithra, Mitra, Meitros, Mihr, Mehr, and Meher. The veneration of this God began about 4000 years ago in Persia, where it was soon embedded with Babylonian doctrines. According to Martin A. Larson, an American populist freethinker and religion scholar, in The Story of Christian Origins, Mithraism and Christianity derived from the same sources. Mithra’s birthday was adopted by Christians in the 4th century AD as the birth of Christ.

The archeology team in Kangelou Fortress hopes to find more traces of Mithraism in this historical monument. If this claim is proven fully, Kangelou will be the most important Sassanid prayer house discovered so far in Mazandaran province.

There is a small Photo Gallery at the following
www.chnphoto.ir...

Enjoy

Ciao

Shane