Grotto of shells (Shell Grotto) is a mysterious attraction in the UK

Grotto of shells (Shell Grotto) in Margate is one of the most mysterious attractions in the UK. Its origin still remains a mystery, despite the fact that he was discovered in 1835. The grotto is a twisty underground corridor (its length is over 20 meters), the walls decorated with 4.6 million shells.





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This unique monument was found by accident by Englishman James Newlove when he dug an artificial pond for the ducks. The first underground passage descended to his son, Joshua. He told his father about the mysterious tunnel, is decorated with mosaics of sea shells. James Newlove quickly realized that he literally managed to catch the tail of luck: having equipped the grotto with gas lamps, three years later he opened a landmark to visit. The wave of tourists poured in Margate, because even the locals did not know about the existence of such curiosities, which was never on the map.





As soon as the first visitors visited the mysterious tunnel, immediately began a heated debate about the origin of the Grotto of shells. Some thought the grotto was one of the last "gifts" of antiquity, others saw it as a gathering place of a secret sect. Strange mosaic, each transcribed in his own way: someone seemed to hint at the sacrificial altars, who was seen with intricate patterns, images of gods and goddesses, there was even a version that is – the tree of life. Despite the abundance of versions, none of them have failed completely to prove.





Grotto of seashells truly amazes visitors: for the decoration of its walls and ceiling took about 4.6 million shells of clams, oysters and mussels. However, some items were damaged during installation of lighting, also, the grotto has suffered during the Second world war from the impact of the bomb. Today the grotto of shells completely renovated, it can visit anyone. This nautical treasure is unlikely to leave anyone indifferent.





Scientific attempts to date the Grotto with the help of radiocarbon Dating was not successful, and the age of the design is uncertain. Among other factors, the analysis is hampered by the soot, which was covered with shells during the operation, as in 1800-ies to illuminate the sights was used in Victorian lamps.
The grotto was rebuilt, many of the mural suffered during the electric light, one of the walls of the altar room was destroyed during the bombing during the Second World war. Under some assumptions, the age of the grotto can reach 3 thousand years.





Skillfully inlaid in intricate patterns that leave no one indifferent, generate an endless stream of associations and versions of the origin of the unique cave. All of the surface area of the walls and ceiling of the grotto is covered with mosaic tiles depicting lilies, sunflowers, trees, snakes, clusters of grapes, symbols of fertility, eight-pointed star and symbols of the Sun.





A winding tunnel ends with an altar room. In the center of the Grotto is a dome under the open sky, acting as an accurate solar calendar covering the period from March to October.
At the summer solstice the Sun at noon illuminating the Grotto, located in the center of the dome. The Sun begins to enter the Grotto shortly before the spring equinox, and leaves it only after the autumn equinox.





The grotto may have functioned as a pagan temple of the Sun and Venus. Gnostic symbols were associated with the Phoenician characters. The Phoenician religion was a synthesis of different traditions. Nomadic Semitic cult of the heavenly bodies (solar belogolovogo of the Sun and the female goddess of the moon) superimposed on matriarchal Neolithic cult of the great Mother (Cybele related) and the Egyptian pair ISIS and Osiris (Adonis), who came after the Sumerian Inanna and Dumuzi.





The symbol of Venus the Phoenician goddess Tanit, as well as a symbol of Inanna, was an eight-pointed star, as eight years is the basic cycle of Venus.













































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Source: cameralabs.org/9881-grot-rakushek-shell-grotto-zagadochnaya-dostoprimechatelnost-velikobritanii

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