China Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 Experts Baffled by Mysterious Underground Chambers There are more than 700 curious tunnel networks in Bavaria, but their purpose remains a mystery. Were they built as graves for the souls of the dead, as ritual spaces or as hideaways from marauding bandits? Archeologists are now exploring the subterranean vaults to unravel their secrets. ... At least 700 of these chambers have been found in Bavaria alone, along with about 500 in Austria. In the local vernacular, they have fanciful names such as "Schrazelloch" ("goblin hole") or "Alraunenhöhle" ("mandrake cave"). They were supposedly built by elves, and legend has it that gnomes lived inside. According to some sagas, they were parts of long escape tunnels from castles. In reality, the tunnels are often only 20 to 50 meters long. The larger passageways are big enough so that people can walk through them in a hunched position, but some tunnels are so small that explorers have to get down on all fours. The tiniest passageways, known as "Schlupfe" ("slips"), are barely 40 centimeters (16 inches) in diameter. The ground beneath the southern German state of Bavaria is literally perforated with these underground mazes -- and no one knows why. Many galleries are connected to the sites of former settlements. The tunnel entrances are sometimes located in the kitchens of old farmhouses, near churches and cemeteries or in the middle of a forest. The atmosphere inside is dark and oppressive, much as it would be inside an animal den. Click on the link for the full article Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoony Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 mutant gophers! hide your kids, hide your wife Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skins_Fan82 Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 That's pretty interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Botched Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 I'd spelunk it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greenspandan Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 obviously built so the aristocracy could slip out to the local houses of ill repute, or perhaps just as likely so the residents thereof could be snuck in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forehead Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 And I, for one, welcome our new (Goblin/Gnome/Elf/Gopher) overlords..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stew Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 This is where someone will find the Amber Room. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
youngestson Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 I'd love to see them. When something is that old you have to wonder if scientists trying to find a single reason are wasting their time. They were probably built for one reason, expanded for another, and used again and again for others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
China Posted August 1, 2011 Author Share Posted August 1, 2011 This is where someone will find the Amber Room. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TMK9973 Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 um....seriously? http://www.amazon.com/Descent-Jeff-Long/dp/051513175X Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wantarace17 Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 i'd say graboids Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jumbo Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Predicto Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 You are in a maze of twisty little passages, all alike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
China Posted August 1, 2011 Author Share Posted August 1, 2011 you are in a maze of twisty little passages, all alike xyzzy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GhostofSparta Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Predicto Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 xyzzy Fee Fie Foe Foo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeaconTheVillain Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 Cowabunga dude Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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