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The Search For Atlantis 'Ends At Ayia Napa' (Cyprus)
The Telegraph (UK) ^
| 9-28-2003
| Fiona Govan
Posted on 09/27/2003 5:01:50 PM PDT by blam
The search for Atlantis 'ends at Ayia Napa'
By Fiona Govan
(Filed: 28/09/2003)
It may be the answer generations of experts on the ancient world have been looking for. New research claims that the fabled ancient civilisation of Atlantis is located close to Cyprus.
After nearly 10 years of research using ocean mapping technology and accounts from ancient texts, an American explorer says he has evidence that Atlantis lies beneath the deep blue waters off the southern tip of the island.
Robert Sarmast, a self-proclaimed mythologist and expert on the ancient world, makes this claim in his book, Discovery of Atlantis - The Startling Case for the Island of Cyprus, published last week in America by Origin Press. Mr Sarmast uses maps to show the location of archaeological remains on a sunken strip of land just off the south coast of Cyprus, which he says is Atlantis.
Mr Sarmast said at his home in California last week: "This is going to rewrite the history books. We are set to make the biggest archaeological discovery of all time."
His research, which cost $500,000 (£312,000) and uses data collected by a Russian scientific survey vessel in 1989, was paid for by the Heritage Standard Corporation, an organisation involved in undersea surveys for oil and gas. He now intends to carry out an expedition to explore the sea bed, to find proof of his theory.
Mr Sarmast says the site matches Plato's account of Atlantis, in the dialogues Timaeus and Critias, written in about 400BC. The description is said to be based on the writings of Solon, who recorded the account told to him by the Egyptians in around 600BC.
Whereas many historians believe that Atlantis is the stuff of legend and that Plato's description is an allegory to praise the values of Athenian society, Mr Sarmast takes a more literal view.
"My discovery will vindicate Plato," he said. "Within his dialogues, Plato provides factual clues as to what Atlantis was like. I have matched all but two of the 45 clues with the area around Cyprus. That's either the biggest coincidence in the history of the world or we have found Plato's Atlantis. Plato's account is so detailed that it is possible to make city plans based on his description. These match exactly the antediluvian maps of Cyprus as discovered through oceanographic mapping."
Mr Sarmast says he has identified many of the areas described by Plato, including a rectangular plain, running east to west, containing a metropolis at its centre.
Central to the latest theory is the fact that the Mediterranean basin suffered a catastrophic flood with the destruction of the Gibraltar "dam" that once closed the Mediterranean Sea from the Atlantic.
This substantiates Plato's claim that an epochal flood "swallowed up" the island of Atlantis leaving only the uninhabited mountainous regions above water, and supports the Biblical story of the flood.
Mr Sarmast believes that it will not be difficult to launch an underwater expedition and that the rewards will be great. "It's only a mile down in warm, calm waters," he said. "Compare that with the Titanic which is two miles down in freezing, treacherous waters. That was explored fully 20 years ago.
"What we have here is a whole city, an ancient civilisation, megalithic sites packed full of artefacts. We can expect to find colossal buildings, bridges, roads, canals and stone temples. With no sunlight, heat, oxygen or wind to degrade its remains, Atlantis will be mummified in the cold waters of the deep sea, frozen in time."
Mr Sarmast's claim about Cyprus is, however, just the latest in a long list of suggested locations for Atlantis, including the Azores, the Sahara desert, Malta, Central America and Antarctica.
Cypriot reaction last week ranged from derision to enthusiastic support.
Dr Despo Pilides, an archaeologist at the Department of Antiquities, said: "Serious archaeologists tend to place the search for Atlantis within the realm of fantasy.
"This latest theory should be taken with a very large pinch of salt. Archaeologists only work with hard evidence. There is no evidence whatsoever to give credence to this hypothesis and we have no intention of investigating it."
But in the kafenios, the coffee houses where men pass the time and debate the issues of the day, it was a different story.
Christos sipped his strong, dark coffee as he contemplated the idea. "Of course it's true," he said. "We are Atlantis, we are the oldest civilisation, we are the Garden of Eden. This is a very good thing for Cyprus. We will be more famous than anywhere else in the world."
The tourist industry agreed. A spokesman for the Cyprus Tourism Organisation said: "I don't think we should be hasty in dismissing this idea. Whether it is true or not it can only be a good thing for us.
"People will want to come and visit what could be part of Atlantis."
British holidaymakers in Ayia Napa were less impressed. "I couldn't care less," said one Briton. "If you're looking for Atlantis, I'll tell you where it is. It's on the left before you get to Larnaca . . . the Atlantis Night Club Cabaret. But get there early if you want a seat - it gets quite full."
TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: archaeology; atlantis; ayia; crevolist; cyprus; ggg; godsgravesglyphs; history; minoan; mycenaean; napa; search
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To: VadeRetro
"Grrrr!!! It's Thera/Santorini, as anyone should know by now." I once believed that too. But, if it was Santorini, we'd know a whole lot more about it. I'm leaning toward the 9-12,000 years ago time frame.
Dr Robert Schoch thinks it may have been on the Sunda Shelf around Indonesia. As explained in his book, Voyages Of The Pyramid Builders.
61
posted on
12/16/2003 4:47:50 PM PST
by
blam
To: blam
Dr Robert Schoch thinks it may have been on the Sunda Shelf around Indonesia. Quite a trip from Egypt. Herodotus recounted the story of a Phoenician trip around Africa but he didn't mention anything like a voyage to Indonesia.
To: VadeRetro
"Quite a trip from Egypt. Herodotus recounted the story of a Phoenician trip around Africa but he didn't mention anything like a voyage to Indonesia." Yup. He speculates that as the area around Indonesia went underwater that the refugees took their culture of pyramid building all over the world...they may even have been the Sumerians, according to him.
Further, he says the 'pyramids' found off the coast of Japan are natural formations and is also probably the case with the structures off the coast of Cuba. (based on all info he has seen)
63
posted on
12/16/2003 5:18:48 PM PST
by
blam
To: VadeRetro
New research claims that the fabled ancient civilisation of Atlantis is located close to Cyprus. I am reminded of a cartoon character from my youth..."Savoir-faire is EVERYWHERE!" lol
64
posted on
12/16/2003 11:20:46 PM PST
by
Aracelis
To: Piltdown_Woman
I am reminded of a cartoon character from my youth..."Savoir-faire is EVERYWHERE!" lol Anyplace that isn't Atlantis, raise your hand!
To: RightWhale
It could very well be a navigational chart. But I feel we have to explore the mathematics on the tablet. It would be interesting to see if the dimension verifies Platos Atlantis City dimensions with the surrounding ditches.
Also concentric cirles are found throughout the world and is the most consistant emblem or symbol that has survived the test of time. Its a symbol that goes many many thousands of years in our pre history.
Concentric circles can be traced in Britian, Sumeria (babylon) Bolivia, Korea (10,000), Nth America and can be found in 9000 year old rock art around Armenia. Its a huge presentation.
Obviously there was symbol that travelled throughout the world that reflected what was dear to the spirituality of mankind in those eras.
Again this symbol is reflected again today through our truth discoveries and gives more meaning to the babylonian tablet. It would be good to understand the mathematics and its meaning and how it relates.
There alot more to this symbol that meets the eye. Thats why we have to leave no stone unturned.
Its a defining moment for our world history understanding.
Thanks for your rely. I appreciate it.
regards
dj
66
posted on
12/19/2003 3:41:38 PM PST
by
star777
To: star777
Early math was heavily geometric, geometrical constructions. Another place where one might see this symbol, perhaps symbolic, is at Mecca, an aerial view of the stone.
67
posted on
12/19/2003 3:46:21 PM PST
by
RightWhale
(Close your tag lines)
To: RightWhale
That would be an interesting and fascinating study. Would you know if there is an ariel .jpg of the stone. From what I know the constrcution of worship area in Mecca is based on the same base pattern. I know that temples in India were built using the concentric circles again using the base pattern. Also I know there is evidence in Bolivia at places of worship have the same construct idea as evidence of concentric circles in rockart found has been identified.
Even the domes of many churches have the same concentric pattern.
Its all common construct theme thoughout all religious constructions whether they are aware of it or not.
It would be a good thing to combine all research to see whether there is a common theme particulary in relation to Atlantis
Perhaps with all the Atlantis theories around all researchers are partly touching on the big picture but havent got the full picture becuase there are few components missing that must be researched. I think in this research one has to be lateral minded and investigate other areas of study to get the full picture.
Im sure truth can be found in all religions if one knows what to look for and has the ability to identify the truth from the chaff.
If there is any links you can send me that would be great. Im very positive that all the evidence is falling in place like a jigsaw puzzle which makes this knowledge exciting and very interesting
These are my own personal thoughts.
All the best for the day
regards
dj
68
posted on
12/19/2003 4:35:15 PM PST
by
star777
To: star777
Entering the great Mosque in Mecca, the pilgrim first walks seven times around the Kaba shrine in a counterclockwise direction; this ritual is called turning, or tawaf. Next, entering into the shrine, the pilgrim . . .. Non-Muslims are, of course, not allowed in. No luck on the aerial, but that shouldn't be a problem.
69
posted on
12/19/2003 4:41:01 PM PST
by
RightWhale
(Close your tag lines)
To: blam
Smoking Bananas?
To: RightWhale
How interesting I really look forward to see the arieal. Its a great study to identify what all religions have in common rather than the differences. If there more of this we would greater peace on this planet.
In my view all religions are linked with a common truth. It would be the grandest thing to see all religions harmonise through research, exploration and discovery using scientific method. I have no doubt that the ultimate outcome would result in peace for all mankind through revealment and revelation.
The thing is. Does the established world religions have the courage and boldness to break new ground and to adopt or incorporate greater and a higher truth if it can be proven conclusively.
It would be a good thing if there was more unity rather than division as high quality spiritual truth is only thing that is going save mankind from himself.
It all comes from within.
I hope Im not getting to carried away here
Thanks for your reply
dj
71
posted on
12/19/2003 5:02:01 PM PST
by
star777
To: RightWhale
(1) Hajar al-Aswad (Black Stone, see diagram)
broken into three pieces, encased in gold and silver
To: UnbelievingScumOnTheOtherSide; star777
Nice. A sea of people. Don't know if it looks like Atlantis, but it is definitely circular.
73
posted on
12/19/2003 5:25:41 PM PST
by
RightWhale
(Close your tag lines)
To: blam
Atlantis is a garbled account of Minoan civilization, which was destroyed in 1500 BC by a volcanic eruption. Take the numbers of Plato's account and divide them by ten ( correcting a transcription error) and the date, distance, and size of Atlantis all correlate to Minoan civilization. The odds of this happening by chance are millions to one.
74
posted on
12/19/2003 5:30:28 PM PST
by
JoeSchem
To: UnbelievingScumOnTheOtherSide
Hey scum on the other side thanks for your post.
I find it Interesting that the diagram you presented is a circular design surrounding an important feature. All similiar design, again concentric circles. I wonder if there some sacred geometry invovled in the design of the Kabba stone encasement.
I like how the stone is encased by three broken pieces elevating the stone on a mount of sort. Surrounded by Gold and silver, similiar to Platos description of a Gold wall and other walls made by other metals again surronding an important feature.
I was wonder what the scholars of the Islamic religion have to comment about the design and what it represents, where the design comes from and what each circle means. But in a scientific way not in dogmatic way.
Here is a little something I put together for your interest
http://www.starcomone.com/circles/ Why was this symbol used in the eons of time and what does it ultimately represent?
Regards
dj
75
posted on
12/19/2003 7:32:23 PM PST
by
star777
To: JoeSchem
It would be good to know what the ancient minoan legends were and what they have to say about there origins.
Does any exist.
The legend of Aphrodite from Cyprus I found really interesting and provided many linkages and harmonisation with the Atlantis legend.
Would you know if any legends from the Minoan culture exists and if there is to see whether there are linkages and harmonisations.
Thanks for your post
regards
dj
76
posted on
12/19/2003 8:00:04 PM PST
by
star777
To: star777
77
posted on
12/31/2003 9:29:14 PM PST
by
star777
To: star777
We have created new maps and models of the eastern Mediterranean seafloor using brand new data gathered last year, providing us with a close-up look at the target area (Acropolis Hill). These new 3D models show a three-kilometer-long wall running at the base of the hill (a mile under water!), as well as canals and ditches on and around the hill itself, fitting the description of Atlantis with uncanny precision. The scientists are stumped as the anomalies do not appear to be natural formations. These new images will be released only after the expedition sets out.
The terrorism in Russia has caused slight problems with the dates for the expedition and the September 20th date will probably have to be changed. Stay tuned for details...
78
posted on
09/11/2004 2:31:26 AM PDT
by
star777
To: blam
Central to the latest theory is the fact that the Mediterranean basin suffered a catastrophic flood with the destruction of the Gibraltar "dam" that once closed the Mediterranean Sea from the Atlantic. How does this :"flooding of the Mediterranean" coincide with the changes in sea level outside the Mediterranean? IIRC there was a find last year of a city off the coast of Cuba. Have you heard anything more of that?
79
posted on
11/13/2004 6:50:36 PM PST
by
Carry_Okie
(The environment is too complex and too important to be managed by central planning.)
To: Carry_Okie
"Have you heard anything more of that?" No. Nothing new.
80
posted on
11/13/2004 7:13:41 PM PST
by
blam
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