S3 #2 / The Mystery of Mithras, Mount Nemrut and Göbekli Tepe with Peter Mark Adams

<p>In this episode of Spirit Box, I’m joined by Peter Mark Adams to discuss his research into ritual symbolism, ancient mystery cults and the archaeological sites that continue to challenge our understanding of human civilisation.Peter shares insights from his book The Game of Saturn, exploring the ritual symbolism of the Renaissance Sola-Busca tarocchi and the deeper social and political implications of these practices. We discuss his ongoing course on the Sola-Busca’s ritual symbolism, how ritual may have shaped Renaissance culture, and why his research has received relatively little attention from mainstream academia despite the book being available in major research libraries for years.We also explore the relationship between spiritual development, mystery traditions and the evolution of religious thought. Peter considers how ancient initiatory practices sought to move individuals beyond their limited sense of self, and how mystical traditions were marginalised as religious institutions became increasingly aligned with imperial power.A major focus of our conversation is Peter’s research into Roman Mithraism. He outlines his theories concerning the cult’s origins, the role of the Magi as ritual specialists, the significance of Mount Nemrut, and the possible connections between Mithraic ritual, ancient Iranian traditions and the wider religious landscape of Anatolia. We also discuss the spread of Mithraism through the Roman Empire and the fascinating Roman practice of evocatio, through which the gods of an enemy were invited to abandon their people and join Rome.Our discussion then turns to the extraordinary archaeological discoveries emerging from Göbekli Tepe, Karahan Tepe and the wider Taş Tepeler region of southeastern Turkey. These prehistoric sites are forcing archaeologists to reconsider established assumptions about early human societies, ritual, art and the development of civilisation. Peter shares his thoughts on ancestral veneration, shamanic practices and the possible significance of these monumental sacred landscapes.We also discuss the origins of Indo-European languages, competing theories about early human migration, and the importance of approaching the distant past with an open mind while distinguishing evidence from speculation.Finally, Peter tells me about his forthcoming archaeological tour of Turkey, which will include Göbekli Tepe, Karahan Tepe and the remarkable Zeugma mosaics.From Renaissance ritual to the mysteries of the ancient