Kim Bowman

Eng. 23

Dr. Folk

Discovering Atlantis

"Now in this island of Atlantis there was a great and wonderful empire [But] there

occurred violent earthquakes and floods;

and in a single day and night of

misfortune the island of Atlantis

disappeared in the depths of the

sea"("Searching,"2005,n.p.). Almost

everyone has heard about Atlantis. Since

the 19th Century attention to finding Atlantis has really peaked in the 2,400 years it has been

debated (history.com,2010,n.p.). The mystery is based on the myth written by Plato, the famous

ancient philosopher. Plato first wrote about Atlantis in the Timeaus and the Critias, but he

thought it was first written down 900 years before that by the Egyptians ("Brief Look," 2014,

n.p.). Plato also thought Atlantis was destroyed by the Greek gods via earthquake or a flood

("Brief Look," 2014, n.p.).They believed the people of Atlantis were too wealthy and powerful

("Brief Look," 2014, n.p.). Plato was very intellectual but seems very confused. This is why I

will present a few theories to say that Atlantis might be in these places. Some people believe

that it's just a myth and it never existed" ("Brief Look," 2014, n.p.).I am one of those people; I

believe it was just a ploy or a figment of Plato's imagination. "The story inspires people to

investigate history and explore the world" (Mickols,2014,n.p.).

Background info
 More than 2,000 years ago the Greek thinker and teacher Plato wrote about a magnificent

island continent in the Atlantic Ocean. The

home of a mighty civilization, the island,

called Atlantis, boasted a spectacular circular

city linked by great bridges and canals,

beautiful palaces and temples covered with

silver and gold, and elaborate fountains flowing with hot and cold water. Sparkling rivers

descended from its sheltering mountains to fertile lands filled with fruits, flowers, and

animal life. Wise kings ruled over a large, happy population.("Searching,"2005,n.p.)

This quote sounds too good to be true and as you now know the Greek gods supposedly

destroyed the precious island after the people got a little too crazy. "But as time passed, the

people grew greedy and corrupt. They waged war and attempted to enslave Egypt and Athens

and all the other powers on the Mediterranean Sea. Angered, the gods punished Atlantis"

("Searching,"2005,n.p.).The story gets even more unbelievable. "Plato (c.424328 B.C.)

describes it as a powerful and advanced kingdom that sank, in a night and a day, into the ocean

around 9,600 B.C" (History.com,2010,n.p.). Plato wrote most of the Timeaus and Critias in

conversations and dialogues ("Searching,"2005,n.p.).Plato originally thought it should be a

trilogy but never got to the third book(Schacknow,2014,17). This quote talks about how it was

just word of mouth written down. "A relative of Plato's tells the Atlantis story, which he says his

ancestor Solon learned in Egypt, where wise priests had kept records of ancient history that had

been lost elsewhere"("Searching,"2005,n.p.).That is perplexing, so Plato's relative read

somewhere that Atlantis existed and only Plato wrote about it back then and the original records

are conveniently missing.

 Solon was an admired man of that time though and he had visited Egypt a few

times("Searching,"2005,n.p.).Also Plato's summary of Atlantis was so intricate, people believe it

could have been an island somewhere at some time("Searching,"2005,n.p.).This all leads people

to believe that there was something occurring at that time but probably not a fantasy island

utopia. There were many earthquakes and volcano eruptions at that time though

("Searching,"2005,n.p.).

All these traumatic natural disaster lead historians to believe that it was Plato coming up

with a cautionary tale to the people of that time to not become too greedy or

narcissistic("Searching,"2005,n.p.).Even the Ancient Greeks debated whether Atlantis was true

or not(History.com, 2010, n.p.) One of the reasons it was debated is because Atlantis was out of

region they had known about(Schacknow,2014,17)."Plato described the island as enormous in

size, larger than the lands of Libya and Asia Minor (present-day Turkey)

combined"(Schacknow,2014,17). This seems

like if it was this big someone should have

found it by now. This quote sum up an

exhaustive description of the fantasy island that

makes Atlantis seems almost too perfect.

According to Plato, the royal palace of

the great kingdom of Atlantis was "a marvel to behold for size and for beauty." It sat on a

perfectly circular island that was itself encircled by alternating rings of water and land.

Gardens and temples with statues of gold, a horse-racing track, and beautifully decorated

baths for men, women, and even horses and cattle were built on the surrounding ring
 islands. Ships sailed and docked in the wide circular waterways, bringing goods from all

over the world.("Searching,"2005,n.p.)

Rio Grande Rise Theory

This particular theory has an odd beginning. Japan is very interested in the earth's crust

you would think because of their earthquake and tsunami problem(Corfield,2013,p.38).Really,

they just wanted to research and find something new at the bottom of the

ocean(Corfield,2013,p.38).Japan's researchers

are called JAMSTEC- Japanese Marine

Geological Agency and they are cooperating

with Brazil's nameless

team(Corfield,2013,p.38). Not everyone can

have a cool unnecessary name. The two groups

were studying the ocean floor near Rio Grande

Rise with the sub Shinkai 6,500 and found granite(Corfield,2013,p.38). Granite only forms on

land, but granites equivalent on the ocean floor is called Basalt(Corfield,2013,p.38). Basalt has

different chemicals and a different feel to it(Corfield,2013,p.38).

This has to do with Atlantis because the basalt rocks there could be a "hotspot" for

tectonic plates crashing(Corfield,2013,p.38).That is how Atlantis could have been sunk and Rio

Grande Rise could have been made(Corfield,2013,p.38).They are not sure yet though, there

needs to be more research done(Corfield,2013,p.38).

Mediterranean Theory

In the Mediterranean is where Plato description of the island is best "fit"

("Searching,"2005,n.p.). In particular is the island Santorini, which was inhabited by the ancient
Minoans, this island had a volcano that erupted 1,000 years before Plato ("Searching,"2005,n.p.).

Santorini's eruption was in the year 16,000 B.C (History.com,2010,n.p.) Aspects that do not

really fit up with Atlantis are the name

and it being an eruption and not a flood or

earthquake like Plato described.

New evidence has come up hat

Atlantis could have been just a few miles

north of Santorini(PR,2012,n.p.). The exact

islands being 400 feet under the water, named the

Cyclades Islands(PR,2012,n.p.). These islands are now

called the Cyclades Plateau because they are connected and above water (PR,2012,n.p.). This

quote explains Cyclades Plateau with its convenient mountain placement.

The northern portion of this island was entirely comprised of mountains, which

reached the shores. There was an oblong valley directly below this mountainous

region, and there was a second valley closer to the center of the island that was

encircled by low-rise mountains. This central valley was two-thirds the size of the

oblong valley(PR,2012,n.p.).

The Cyclades Plateau is the perfect location for Atlantis. Not really the best theory based on

some mountains.

Apparently for hundreds of years Plato's works were translated "wrong." The English text

was set side by side with the Greek text(PR,2012,n.p.). There were incomplex inaccuracies in the

translating, which led people to believe Atlantis was in the wrong locations for so many years.
 This same theorist thought for certain that Atlantis was lost to a flood. "Atlantis was lost

due to the sudden rise of the seas after the last Ice Age, and more specifically, during the

Mediterranean flood cycle that preceded the flood of the Black Sea at around 8000

B.C."(PR,2012,n.p.). Yet no one is really sure if it existed or where it existed. So this theorist

cannot be certain if it was a flood.

Spain theory

"We found something that no one else has seen

before, which gives it a layer of credibility,

especially for archaeology, that makes a lot more

sense"("Has the lost," 2011,n.p.).

"It is just so hard to understand that it can wipe out

60 miles inland, and that's pretty much what we're

talking about,"(Reuters, 2011, n.p.).

Richard Freund said these thoughts about what he found in Spain.

This all started around 2003 when German Scientists were looking at satellite images of

the mud lands(Wichester,2011,n.p.). There were images that looked like a city, maybe Atlantis,

they thought(Wichester,2011,n.p.). Then in 2006 Spanish archeologists wanted to get their hands

on this new advancement (Wichester,2011,n.p.). So they hired American expert Richard Freund

because they knew he had the best technology around(Wichester,2011,n.p.).

 Richard Freund searched the mudflats of Spain

on the Atlantic Coast(Mickols,2014,n.p.). He used

infrared satellite imagery to find buildings, which he

believed belonged to Atlantis(Mickols,2014,n.p.). The

researchers believe they found it deep in the mud of

Dona Ana Park slightly north of Cadiz, Spain(Reuters,

2011, n.p.).These mud lands are called Spain's

marshlands, so specifically it was Hinojos Marsh

(Wichester,2011,n.p.). Some animals that live there now are Camels, deer, badgers, and herons,

and there are many strawberry fields nearby(Wichester,2011,n.p.).All this vegetation and life

their now is why it was overlooked for so many years (Wichester,2011,n.p.). Freund then

concluded that it must have been an influential port of the time(Mickols,2014,n.p.). Freund goes

with the Tsunami theory adding in the fact that the mud from the tide washed over the

island(Mickols,2014,n.p.). Researchers believe it has parallels to Japan's tsunamis

(Wichester,2011,n.p.). Freund believed that anybody who did not want to die from the tsunami

moved inland and established colonies there(Reuters, 2011, n.p.).Tsunamis have been reported in

this area for years(Reuters, 2011, n.p.).

This quote explains about how they tested if there were walls there. "To find proof,

Freund's team hammered rods into the dirt and linked them to an electric cable. Then they shot

currents underground. By studying how the currents moved, they could tell if objects were buried

up to 40 feet below"(Mickols,2014,n.p.).There were walls but they could not come to any

conclusions because it is really hard to excavate underwater(Mickols,2014,n.p.).

West Coast Africa theory

A sunken island named Sartell has been said by ecologist Collin-Girard in 2001 to be

Atlantis (Ornelas,2005, n.p.). It went along with the melting, Ice Age, flooding theory about

20,000 years ago(Ornelas,2005, n.p.). By 12,000 years ago, It was almost sunk(Ornelas,2005,

n.p.). The timing did not align at first but then ecologist Gutscher

looked at it again and decided it lined up(Ornelas,2005,n.p.). At

first they found that the island was too small for people to

live on(Ornelas,2005, n.p.). But the sediment from the island

shows a scale 9 earthquake(Ornelas,2005, n.p.). Then every two

years there would be more earthquakes, but Gutscher still could not find the island

to be inhabitable at that time (Ornelas,2005, n.p.). Considering other

than timing, they have no other evidence. This theory definitely cannot be true.

Cuba theory

One article claims that Atlantis has been found near Cuba, underwater. "Two

scientists, Paul Weinzweig and Pauline Zalitzki, working off the coast of Cuba and using a robot

submersible, have confirmed that a gigantic city exists at the bottom of the

ocean"(Light,2014,n.p.). This all just seems really shady, like why was it not everywhere in the

news if it was truly Atlantis. The evidence that land in whats now the Caribbean also sank into

the sea concurrently seems pretty certain"(Light,2014,n.p.). Seems pretty certain, they say. That

does not sound certain to me.

Comparing other lost islands to Atlantis

There is a 10,000 year old sunken city near the west side of India (PR,2012,n.p.).

Supposedly Atlantis was lost at the same time and in the same flood as this city. Another lost
island is Helike (History.com, 2012, n.p.). Helike was lost during 373 B.C. when an earthquake

prompted a tsunami (History.com, 2012, n.p.). For years people searched for Helike

(History.com, 2012, n.p.). In 2001, they triumphantly found the ruins(History.com, 2012, n.p.).

Scholars have a hunch that Plato's writings were

based on this (History.com, 2012, n.p.).

In Greece, Pavlopetri inexplicably

disappeared 3,000 years ago (History.com, 2012,

n.p.).Another one just like Atlantis, Scholars

believed this could have

contributed to Plato's Atlantis

(History.com, 2012,

n.p.).Pavlopetri was found in

2009(History.com, 2012, n.p.).All these sites were searched for, for years upon years, and then

modern technology helped them be found. So if Atlantis was actually found it would have

happened already.

"The problem with the legend of Atlantis is that it now pervades everything from Marvel

comics to movies and its location has been pinpointed from Antarctica to Greece and everywhere

in between"(Corfield, 2013, p.38).Now, I have shown you multiple places where Atlantis could

have been. I have also shown you other islands that were lost and found. So if Atlantis was to be

found the modern technology should have found it. Atlantis is just a metaphor for how you are

supposed to live that Plato made up to thrill and catch people's imaginations.A metaphor by

definition is comparing two unlike aspects. Plato compares the wonders of Atlantis and then how

the people lost it all to how people will end up if they are too selfish. They will end up suffering
or dead. It was warning tale that people got way to obsessed with. Stopping a whole bunch of

obsessed people would be virtually impossible. So people just let it go.

 References

(2014, July 4). Brief look at legendary Atlantis. Green Bay Examiner. Retrieved

from 14EDEBA7AEA9D0E8

This source is an article that says more facts about Atlantis like how Plato thought it was
destroyed by the Greek gods. This source will be used in the background info section. This is
credible because it is an established newspaper in Green Bay area.
Corfield, R. (2013, August).Reaching for the real Atlantis. Wiley Periodicals Inc., 77 8, 38-39.

Retrieved from 000327793200026

This source is about how Atlantis could be in Rio Grande Rise and about the rocks found there. I
will use this in the Rio Grande Rise section of my paper. This source is credible because it looks
like the author put a lot of time into it and there is deep science behind it.

(2011, March 15). Has lost city of Atlantis been found in Spain?. Daily Mail. Retrieved from

0307-7578
This source explains how Atlantis could have been beneath the marshlands of Spain. I will put
said source in the section about how Spain might be the location of Atlantis. I think this source is
credible even though it does not have an author because it is from a database and it is from an
accredited newspaper. They would not be posting false claims.
History.com Staff. (2010). Atlantis. A and E Networks. Retrieved

from http://www.history.com/topics/atlantis

This source explains the history of Atlantis and general information. This article will be going in
the history section of my paper. This source is credible because it is published by A and E
Networks and they have reputations to uphold so they would not put their name on something
not credible.
History.com Staff. (2012). Sunken Cities. A and E Networks. Retrieved

from http://www.history.com/news/sunken-cities

This article is about other cities that have disappeared or sunken. I am using this in the

comparing other lost cities section and for the getting out of the cycle of using the same

information over and over again. This source is credible because it is published by A and E

Networks and they have reputations to uphold so they would not put their name on something

not credible.
Light, A. (2014, February 16). Atlantis discovered in the Bermuda Triangle: the sunken

city features giant pyramids and sphinxes [Complete].Humans Are Free. Retrieved

from http://humansarefree.com/2014/02/atlantis-discovered-in-bermuda-triangle.html

This article is about how researchers have found a city underwater near Cuba and they think it is
Atlantis. I am using this article Cuba theory section. This source is not really that credible but I
will use that to prove my point.
Mickols Jr., J. (2014, March). Mystery of Atlantis.National Geographic Kids, Issue 438.

Retrieved from 94260151

This article has a little about the Spain being Atlantis but explains that theory away and focuses
on how Atlantis was probably just imaginary. I will use this in the Atlantis was in Spain theory
section of my paper. This is credible because it is the National Geographic and that is a big name
that cannot be tarnished by articles that are not credible.
Ornelas, G. (2005, July 22). Atlantis rises again. Science Now. Retrieved

from http://news.sciencemag.org/2005/07/atlantis-rises-again

This article claims that Atlantis was found on the West Coast of Africa, which follows along with
what the ancient philosopher Plato believed. This will be used in the Atlantis in the west coast of
Africa theory part of my paper. This is credible because has the author has written many other
articles about subjects on science.
PR N. (2012, October 16).New book reveals "lost island of Atlantis" located in

Mediterranean Sea.PR Newswire US. Retrieved

from 201310160830PR.NEWS.USPR.PH98150

This source is an article that summarizes another book that backs up Plato's theory that Atlantis
was in the Mediterranean. I will use this in the Atlantis in the Mediterranean theory section. This
is credible because it is someone attaching facts to an already credible book.
Reuters, Z. H. (2011, March 17th).Atlantis found in mud flats of Spain?; Legendary

City Believed Lost to Tsunami Long Ago. Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved

from 1360898326ABF2B8

This source explains how Atlantis could have been lost to a Tsunami in Spain long ago and is
now probably under the wetlands. I am using this source in the section about how Spain might be
the location of Atlantis. This is credible because Reuters has written many other news articles
and why would someone in Florida care about Spain unless it was something worth writing
about.
Schacknow, J. (2014, October). Plato's Atlantis. Dig, Vol. 25 Issue 2,17. Retrieved

from 98542195

This article informs people about where Plato thought Atlantis was and how it is talked about a
lot. I am going to use it in the background info section. I think it is credible because it just basic
background information that you could find anywhere but the author compiles it nicely.

(2005, August/July). Searching for Atlantis.Ask, 4(6),23-25. Retrieved from 17534848.

This source has general background information and questions whether or not Atlantis is even
real. I will use it in the general background section of my paper and the is Atlantis even real
theory part of my paper. It is credible because it looks like someone put a lot of effort into
making it.
Winchester, S.(2011, March 28). Swallowed by the sea. Newsweek, 157(13/14). Retrieved

from 59560589

This article also claims that Atlantis could be located near Spain but because of an earthquake or
Tsunami. I am using this article in the Atlantis in Spain section. This source is credible because it
is written by a credible author.