Neurotoxic Prophesies: Investigating Possible Geological Causes of

the Pythias Prophetic Abilities

DATE: 4-28-2015

Miranda Petty, California State University, Fullerton

8888 N. North Dr., San Francisco, CA 91712
M1212@gmail.com
999-988-0000

Abstract
The Pythia of the Oracle at Delphi delivered cryptic prophecies that were central to Greek
culture and religion. However, the cause of her prophetic hallucinations is presently unknown. In
the current study, a geological survey of the Delphi region will be completed to map the faults in
this area and investigate the presence of hydrothermal gases, such as ethylene and methane,
which can cause neurotoxic symptoms. Geochemical properties of the soil and water in and
around the Temple of Apollo will be assessed using a methane laser sensor, closed-chamber
gas detection, gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, and x-ray diffractometry.
Keywords: Pythia, geology, Oracle at Delphi, methane, ethylene, ancient Greece
Project Description
The Oracle at Delphi served as a very important aspect of ancient Greek culture and
religion. Greek civilians regularly made pilgrimages to the Oracle to seek guidance from the
Pythia, a priestess of the Temple of Apollo (Jones, 2013). In order to receive prophetic
messages from Apollo, the Pythia first immersed herself in the sacred Kastalia Spring, and then
sat in the Adytona small room beneath the templeabove a chasm in the floor that released
sweet-smelling vapors (Jones, 2013). According to Plutarch, a priest at the Temple of Apollo,
inhaling these vapors caused the Pythia to enter a trance-like state, which induced her prophetic
abilities (De Bouer & Hale, 2002; Holland, 1993). The nature of the gases she inhaled is still
unknown. Understanding the cause of the Pythias behavior can deepen historical and
anthropological understanding of an important aspect of Greek culture and religion.
Furthermore, because the Delphic Oracle is located in an area with significant tectonic activity,
determining the chemical makeup of the gasses released in this region can help us to
understand how hydrothermal gases affect people living in seismically active areas.

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Previous Research
In recent years, scientists have investigated the chemical properties of the gases Pythia
inhaled. Piccardi (2000) concluded that the chasms Plutarch spoke of were the result of an E-W
fault (the Delphi fault) in the Golf of Corinth Rith that passes below the shrine of Athena,
approximately 500 meters east of the Temple of Apollo. Piccardi also suggested that the gas
released from the chasms might be related to hydrothermal activity associated with the fault.
Subsequent research by De Boer, Hale, and Chanton (2001), proposed that the Temple of
Apollo is actually above the intersection of two faultsthe Delphi fault and another NNW-SSE
fault that has been named the Kerna fault. De Boer et al. also found that small amounts of
ethylene, a chemical compound that can cause hallucinations, is present in the Kerna spring,
and thus may have been present in gases being released in the Temple of Apollo.
Objectives and Rationale of the Current Study
In general, ethylene seepages do not naturally occur in large enough amounts to induce
pronounced neurotoxic effects (Etiope et al., 2006). Because of this, it is unlikely that ethylene
gas caused the Pythias trance-like state, as has been suggested by De Boer et al. (2001).
More research is needed to determine other gaseous compounds that may have been present
in the Temple of Apollo during the Archaic period.
The current study seeks to review and map the presence and location of fault traces in
the Delphi region, while also conducting a thorough gas-geochemical study of the areas in and
around the Delphic temple. Our goal is to determine possible gaseous causes of the Pythias
hallucinations. We will utilize a variety of geochemical methods to determine the nature of the
gasses being discharged from the faults and rocks of this region. In addition, we will attempt to
replicate the findings by De Boer et al. (2001), which imply that ethylene levels in the Temple of
Apollo and surrounding regions were high enough in the past to induce hallucinations and other
adverse neurological symptoms. Finally, we will explore the possibility that methane, a

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hydrocarbon with known neurotoxic effects, was released within the Temple of Apollo in large
enough quantities to cause symptoms of delirium and hallucinations.
Future Research
If the findings of the current study suggest that high concentrations of methane gas were
previously present in the Temple of Apollo, we will also investigate whether exhalation of carbon
dioxide and methane in the non-ventilated Adyton was significant enough to cause neurotoxic
effects. The burning of coal and oils, in combination with exhalation of the civilians in the temple
seeking guidance from the Pythia, could have increased the accumulation of carbon dioxide and
methane in the Adyton. If evidence of neither ethylene nor methane are discovered, the longterm goals of our research team are to investigate the presence of benzene, another sweetsmelling gas with known neurotoxic effects.
Methods
The Kerna faults position will be reexamined during a geological survey, which will map
the location of the five springs located along Kerna fault. These results will be compared to the
geological map of the Delphi area created by Zachos (1674) and modified by Piccardi (2000).
We will further modify Piccardis map of the Delphi area according to our findings, as needed.
Methane (CH4) anomalies will be detected using the Lasermethane SA3C06A. This
portable laser sensorwhich uses infrared laser beam and wavelength modulation absorption
spectroscopy to detect methane anomalies in the airaccurately quantifies methane
concentrations as diminutive as two points per million by volume, and is capable of scanning
dozens of meters at once. The Lasetmethane SA3C06A will be used to scan the Adyton, the
outside of the Temple of Apollo, below the foundation of the Temple, the Kerna and Delphi fault
traces, the Kerna and Kastalia springs, and the travertine deposits. Previous research has
identified values less than .05 mg m-2 d-1 as indicative of significant methane seepage (Sass,
Fisher, & Wang, 1992), so that is the parameter that will be used in the current study.

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Weak and diffuse methane exhalations can be released from the soil, and are be
indicative of previous large-scale methane emissions. To measure weak and diffuse exhalations
of methane from the soil, we will use the closed-chamber method. Closed-chamber gas-flux
apparatuses contain an infrared gas analyzer that estimates the respiration of specific gases
from the soil (Mign et al., 2002). This method is commonly used in microseepage studies of
CH4 fluxes across various terrains (e.g., Etiope, Feyzullaiev, Baciu, & Milicov, 2004). Twelve
measurements will be collected using the close-chamber method in the Temple of Apollo, Kerna
spring, Kastalia spring, and the Adyton. Sampled air will be analyzed for methane using gas
chromatograph with FID detector. Methane flux values greater than 0 mg m-2 d-1 are indicative of
significant gas emission.
To investigate the presence of ethylene (C2H4) in the Delphi area, we will perform an
analysis of dissolved gaseous particles from Kerna and Kastalia springs. In addition to ethylene,
water samples will be analyzed for helium, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide. Gas levels
will be quantified using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Gas chromatography is
commonly used to discriminate chemical compounds in a liquid sample, and has been
determined to be accurate (Etiope et al., 2004). This method is especially effective for samples
with various chemical compounds present, as is anticipated will be the case for samples taken
from both Kerna and Kastalia springs.
X-ray diffractometry will be used to analyze the structure of CaCO3 (calcium carbonate)
molecules found in the Kerna and Kastala springs. Analysis of these structures will reveal
whether the calcium carbonate resulted from precipitation of water rich in methane. This
information will help to determine previous levels of methane in the Kerna and Kastalia springs.
If there is evidence of methane-rich water being released in both springs, it is possible that the
Pythia was exposed to methane while bathing in the Kastalia spring.

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Broader Impacts
As a research team, we are dedicated to increasing diversity in the field of science. To
accomplish this, we will recruit scientists and students from the Diversity in Science (DS)
program at the University of Patras, Rio, to participate in this research project. DS strives to
assist underrepresented students in gaining research experience in the fields of science,
engineering, technology, and mathematics.
We also seek to further cultural and historical understanding of ancient Greek society.
The advanced knowledge that can be gained from this study will help to stimulate tourism in
ancient Greece by renewing international interest in the Oracle at Delphi. Finally, the results of
our research will aid the scientific community in understanding the adverse effects of
hydrothermal gases on people living in seismically active regions. Because the Delphi region is
among the most seismically active regions in the world (Stefatos, Papatheodorou, Leeder, &

Collier, 2002), it is crucial that Greek authorities and the general public understand possible
dangers associated with the gases being released in this area. If neurotoxic gases are
discovered, protocols must be developed to protect individuals living in, and visiting, this region.
Biographical Sketch
Miranda Petty is a junior majoring in psychology at California State University, Fullerton.
Her intellectual interests include cognitive psychology, mathematical modeling, computer
programming, legal psychology, and research design. She is currently conducting an
independent project that investigates the effects of emotions on the processing of deceptive
information. The goal of this study is to understand how happiness, sadness, and anger
influence our ability to recognize lies. Her academic training includes courses in Advanced
Statistics, Multivariate Statistics, Learning and Memory, Geology, Research Design, and
Biology. She expects to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in the spring of 2016.

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References
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mud volcanoes in eastern Azerbaijan. Geology, 32, 464-468.
Etiope, G., Papatheodorou, G., Christodoulou, D., Geraga, M., & Favali, P., (2006). The
geological links of the ancient Delphic Oracle (Greece): A reappraisal of natural
gas occurrence and origin. Geology, 34(10), 821-824.
De Boer, J. Z., Hale, J. R., & Chanton, J. (2001). New evidence for the geological
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hypothesis for the geological environment of myth. Geology, 28, 651-654.
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effect of floodwater management. Global Geochemical Cycles, 6(3), 249-262.
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faults in the Gulf of Corinth: Their seismotectonic significance. Basin Research,
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Zachos, K. (1964). Geological map of Greece, Delphi. Athens, Institute of Geology and
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