Atlantis: A Synthesis of Myth, Archaeology, and Ancient Sources

Atlantis: A Synthesis of Myth, Archaeology, and Ancient Sources David Lee December 2024 806studio@proton.me Abstract: This essay offers a multidisciplinary exploration of the enduring Atlantis myth, arguing that its origins extend far beyond Plato’s writings. Through an analysis of ancient texts, archaeological evidence, and cross-cultural traditions, the work situates Atlantis within a broader framework of historical geography and mythology. The investigation focuses on connections to the Iberian Peninsula, North African Berbers, and Atlantic islands, highlighting how regional myths and archaeological discoveries contribute to the legend's development. Introduction The myth of Atlantis, as famously presented by Plato, resonates across time as a tale of an advanced civilization lost beneath the sea. While Plato is often credited as the sole progenitor of the legend, a closer examination of ancient texts and archaeological evidence suggests that the narrative may be deeply rooted in older myths, geographical lore, and cross-cultural traditions. This essay explores connections between the Atlantis legend and references in ancient writings, archaeological finds, and mythological traditions, focusing on the Iberian Peninsula, the Berbers of North Africa, and the Atlantic islands. Ancient Sources and Geographic Allusions The story of Atlantis has captured the imagination of scholars, adventurers, and mystics for centuries. Though Plato is credited with giving Atlantis its most enduring narrative, ancient writings from Homer to Philo suggest that the notion of a lost island or advanced civilization in the Atlantic Ocean may be rooted in a broader range of myths and observations. By synthesizing these accounts, this essay explores how descriptions of distant islands, catastrophic geological events, and enigmatic civilizations interweave to form a complex narrative of Atlantis. Homeric Foundations: Ogygia and the Island Imagery The earliest tantalizing reference to a remote, enigmatic island occurs in Homer’s Odyssey (c. 900 BCE). Ogygia, where Odysseus is detained by the nymph Calypso, is described as a “lonely seagirt isle at the very center of the ocean,” tied to the god Atlas, who supports the heavens from the ocean depths. Homer’s association of Atlas with the ocean floor prefigures later geographic mythologies that locate mysterious islands in the Atlantic. Hesiod’s depiction of Atlas as standing at the gates of Tartaros to hold up the heavens deepens the link between the divine and the geophysical, suggesting Ogygia could metaphorically represent an entry point to a submerged world. Odysseus’s twenty-day voyage from Ogygia to Scheria—home of the Phoenician-like Phaeacians— also invites speculation. Scheria, described as a walled city with harbors, resonates with Plato’s account of Atlantis as a circular, fortified island. Homer’s mention of a temple of Poseidon at Scheria’s center mirrors Plato’s description of Poseidon’s temple at Atlantis, underscoring the possibility that Homeric islands inspired or echoed Atlantean myths. Pre-Platonic Echoes: Dionysius, Theopompus, and Aristotelian Insights Greek writers preceding or contemporaneous with Plato provided additional context for myths resembling Atlantis. Dionysius describes the catastrophic sinking of the Phlegyan Isle due to Neptune’s wrath, an event reminiscent of Atlantis’s sudden destruction. This tale reinforces the theme of divine punishment linked to impiety, a motif central to Plato’s narrative. Theopompus’s Meropis recounts a great landmass west of the known world inhabited by warring and meditative races. This dichotomy mirrors Plato’s Atlanteans, who begin as virtuous stewards but succumb to hubris. The war of the Meropians with Europe parallels Plato’s account of Atlantis waging war against the Mediterranean world, reinforcing cross-cultural echoes of advanced but morally ambiguous civilizations. Aristotle’s mention of a large Atlantic island called Antillia—later tied to Portuguese legends of Sete Cidades—hints at real seafaring knowledge interwoven with myth. This identification aligns with the idea that Plato’s Atlantis, though mythological, drew on older oral traditions and geographic lore. Diodorus Siculus and African Connections Diodorus Siculus adds a fascinating African dimension to the Atlantean myth. He describes an Atlantic island west of Libya (Africa) as exceptionally fertile and divine in its beauty. Notably, he associates the region near Mount Atlas with a tribe of “Atlanteans,” linking them to mythical Amazons and the vanished Triton marsh. These accounts situate Atlantis not in the central Atlantic but within a broader western Mediterranean-Africa context, blending regional history with cosmic-scale catastrophes, such as earthquakes and floods, which submerged lands. Saturnian Realms and the Americas Plutarch and Virgil extend the mythical geography of Atlantis even further west. Plutarch’s mention of Saturnia, a vast landmass beyond Ogygia, evokes a possible pre-Columbian awareness of the Americas. Saturnia’s association with Saturn/Cronos, a primordial deity tied to time and the golden age, suggests a utopian vision of this land. Similarly, Virgil’s Hesperian Empire evokes an abundant, ancient land across the ocean, consistent with depictions of Atlantis as a fertile, advanced civilization. Geology and Catastrophism: Strabo and Beyond Strabo’s recognition of geological upheaval provides a naturalistic framework for Atlantis’s destruction. His observations of rising and sinking lands correspond with Plato’s account of Atlantis disappearing beneath the sea “in a single day and night.” Coupled with archaeological findings such as the Almendres Cromlech in Portugal—evidence of ancient seafaring and sophisticated cultures—the plausibility of localized cataclysmic events fueling Atlantis myths gains credibility. Iberian and Atlantic Connections The Iberian Peninsula and the Atlantic islands—specifically the Azores, Canary Islands, and Madeira— are integral to Atlantis narratives. The stone slab engraved with a temple-like edifice found on San Miguel (Azores) suggests a premodern civilization with symbolic or ritualistic architecture. The nearby site of Sete Cidades, known for its interconnected blue and green lakes, bears the name “Seven Cities,” a title associated with both Atlantis and the legendary Antillia. Portuguese legend ties Antillia to Christian Visigothic bishops fleeing the Moors, further intertwining local history with myth. The island of Corvo provides additional intrigue. A lost statue discovered on the island, inscribed with indecipherable symbols and pointing westward, hints at transoceanic awareness. The inhabitants’ name for the statue, “Cates,” aligns with the Quichua word cati, meaning "go that way," possibly linking it to the Americas. This tantalizing association suggests that ancient Atlantic cultures had knowledge of distant lands. The Iberian megalithic sites of Almendres Cromlech and Vale Maria do Meio, dating from 6000–4000 BCE, further support the existence of sophisticated, possibly maritime-oriented communities in the region. These monuments, coupled with underwater features detected near the Azores and Canary Islands, reinforce the hypothesis that the Atlantic region harbored complex societies capable of influencing myths like Atlantis. The Berbers and the Atlantean Legacy The Berbers of Northwest Africa, whose traditions link them to Atlantis, play a critical role in this narrative. Herodotus and Diodorus refer to Berber tribes near Mount Atlas as "Atlantes" or "Atlanteans," emphasizing their connection to the myth. Diodorus further praised their advanced civilization, noting that they were “the most civilized men” of their time and linked their mythology to the Greek pantheon. The La Dama de Elche statue, found in Spain and attributed by some to Atlantean origins, underscores the advanced artistry and cultural sophistication of this region. The statue’s intricate design suggests influences that could stem from a shared cultural heritage with mythic Atlantis. Moreover, Berber oral traditions claim descent from Atlantis and credit the Atlanteans with advanced scientific knowledge, such as the "Doctrine of Spheres," attributed to Atlas. This knowledge, represented symbolically in images of Atlas holding the Earth or heavens, resonates with Plato’s portrayal of Atlantis as a hub of wisdom and innovation. Catastrophe and Myth: Submergence Narratives Central to the Atlantis legend is its catastrophic destruction, a theme mirrored in myths worldwide. Dionysius and Diodorus describe the Phlegyan isle and Tritonis marsh sinking into the sea due to earthquakes. Philo (20 BCE–40 AD) mentions an island called “Alantes” overwhelmed in a day and night by an earthquake. Such stories reflect not only the vulnerability of ancient civilizations to natural disasters but also a cultural memory of seismic events shaping history. Plutarch’s reference to Saturnia, a large landmass west of Britain, and Virgil’s Hesperian Empire, an ancient and fertile western land, evoke the Americas as potential inspirations for Atlantis. These accounts, alongside Greek myths of Erythea and Ogyges, suggest a transatlantic dimension to the Atlantis myth, rooted in exploration and maritime lore. Final Thoughts Atlantis is not merely a Platonic construct but a significant source of ancient myths, geographic observations, and archaeological fragments. From the Iberian Peninsula to the Berber highlands, and from the Azores to the Americas, the legend of Atlantis connects diverse cultures and traditions. Whether rooted in a real civilization lost to time or an allegory for human hubris, Atlantis endures as a symbol of our quest to understand the past and navigate the mysteries of the ancient world.