#LERNA site of the #HYDRA legends is also a fascinating archaeological site.
I've collected a set of the most interesting and useful images I could find for you to use.
The Hydra was said to have been a many headed water snake however the lake at Lerna which has now dwindled to a mere pool seems to have had a very thin barrier between it and the sea.
Perhaps the Hydra was a giant squid or octopod swept into the lake by a storm who attacked swimmers?
Yet The Lake was supposedly always unsafe to swim in even after the Hydra was killed.
The legend speaks of Heracles burning the stumps of the Hydra however other legends also tell of him creating large scale water diversion schemes. Was the Hydra a parasite or disease in a coastal wetland? Was the charcoal from burnt trees used to purify water. Another part of the legend tells of a forest being cut down. Did Heracles divert water into a channel beginning the process of draining the lake and coastal wetlands ? Did he block a dangerous sinkhole perhaps?
Map of Lerna Was the lake north or south of modern Lerna village?
Here's a diagram showing the archaeological site. One of the oddest things about Lerna is that the famous House of Tiles one of the largest #Helladic structures in ancient Greece seems to have been delibarately pulled down carefully and then buried under a tumulus. What were later occupants trying to do? Cherish the ancients or protect themselves from ghosts?
You'll see this aerial shot several times if you google image search Lerna. It seems to date back to the 50s?
I suggest you use Google Earth as their image set show the site area and photos of the springs !
And do read Pausanias if you can!
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