A burial site of over 450 mice has been found in Crete - a trace of an ancient cult
- Archaeologists found over 450 mouse bones in Gortyna.
- The burial dates back to the 7th century BC.
- Related to the cult of Apollo Smintheus — the mouse god.
- A rare find reveals a little-known ritual.
A recent archaeological expedition in Gortyna, one of the largest city-states of the Cretan period, uncovered an unusual find. While investigating the ruins of an ancient sanctuary, specialists discovered a large cluster of small bones belonging to more than four hundred and fifty rodents.
All the bones were collected in a single burial, indicating a deliberate action by the people of that time. According to experts, such mass animal burials could have been part of a ritual ceremony rather than a common domestic occurrence.
The cult of mice in ancient Greek tradition
Among the known deities in ancient culture was Apollo Smintheus — an epithet linking the god to mice. Smintheus, literally 'mouse-like', was worshipped in certain regions where rodents were seen as symbols of fertility, protection from epidemics, or even harbingers of good luck.
It is believed that in the 7th century BC, when Gortyn was at its peak, the locals could adapt this pantheon to their needs by erecting special places for sacrifices of small animals. Discovered bones confirm that such practices indeed took place.
Researchers note that such finds are rare: in most known archaeological layers in Greece and its islands, sacrifices of large livestock or birds are recorded, while mass burials of rodents occur only occasionally.
The context of the excavations indicates that the sanctuary was located in the central part of the city, near other religious buildings. This highlights the importance of the cult in the social life of Gortyna, where it likely played a role in protection against pests and epidemics, as well as in ensuring agricultural prosperity.
While scientists continue to analyze the found remains, additional studies are planned, including DNA analysis, which may shed light on the species of mice and their origins. The results will help clarify how widespread such a cult was in the ancient Greek world.
Source: N+1
