Atlantis The Truth Behind The Legend

Description of the geological and archaeological research confirming that this legendary kingdom did exist on the island of Santorin in the Aegean.

This absorbing book explores the possibility that the Atlantis story represents a distortion of a number of myths and legends already present in the ancient Greece and Egypt of the time. Putting more emphasis on Diodorus Siculus' account of the Atlantians, who places this people somewhere in Africa, is it possible that the island Plato spoke of was actually present in a lake not far from a large mountain? Piecing together the key details given in Diodorus, is it possible to identify these features in the Africa of today? In a fascinating piece of historical detective work, the author is able to reveal to the reader precisely how a legend was born.

In the 15th century BC, a volcanic eruption of exceptional violence occurred on the island Thera (Santorini), 75 miles north of Crete. Did this mark the destruction of Atlantis, the story of which Plato gave to the world 11 centuries later? Was there ever such an island as he describes, the home of an advanced culture and the centre of a great empire? If so, where was it, when did its civilisation flourish, and why did it disappear? Mr Luce, with the help of archaeologists, vulcanologists, seismologists and oceanographers, suggests the real truth.

Description of the geological and archaeological research confirming that this legendary kingdom did exist on the island of Santorin in the Aegean.

Hope sets out to show that new discoveries about the changing tilt of Earth's axis and possible collisions between our planet and a giant asteroid may provide valuable clues about the destruction of Atlantis.

BONUS: This edition contains an excerpt from David Gibbins's The Mask of Troy. From an extraordinary discovery in a remote desert oasis to a desperate race against time in the ocean depths, a team of adventurers is about to find the truth behind the most baffling legend in history. The hunt is on for… Marine archaeologist Jack Howard has stumbled upon the keys to an ancient puzzle. With a crack team of scientific experts and ex–Special Forces commandos, he is heading for what he believes could be the greatest archaeological find of all time—the site of fabled Atlantis—while a ruthless adversary watches his every move and prepares to strike. But neither of them could have imagined what awaits them in the murky depths. Not only a shocking truth about a lost world, but an explosive secret that could have devastating consequences today. Jack is determined to stop the legacy of Atlantis from falling into the wrong hands, whatever the cost. But first he must do battle to prevent a global catastrophe.