Atlantis: The Evidence
In this Timewatch special, Bettany unravels one of the most intriguing mysteries of all time.
She presents a series of geological, archaeological and historical clues to show that the legend of Atlantis was inspired by a real historical event – the greatest natural disaster of the ancient world. She is tracing the origins of the Atlantis myth and presenting evidence that the Thera eruption inspired Plato’s account of the mystical land. 2,400 years ago Greek philosopher Plato wrote of an ancient island civilization of unparalleled wealth and splendor, which was struck by earthquakes and floods and was swallowed up by the sea in one grievous day and night. “But afterwards there occurred violent earthquakes and floods; and in a single day and night of misfortune all your warlike men in a body sank into the earth, and the island of Atlantis in like manner disappeared in the depths of the sea. For which reason the sea in those parts is impassable and impenetrable, because there is a shoal of mud in the way; and this was caused by the subsidence of the island.” (Plato, as translated by Benjamin Jowett).
REVIEWS
Pick of The Day
The Telegraph, The Sunday Telegraph, The Mail on Sunday, The Times, The Mirror, The Express, The Sunday Times, The Independent, The Independent on Sunday, The Evening Standard, The Radio Times, The Mail, The Guardian.
"Dazzling, a genuinely poignant mystery to the fate of the people of Thira"
The Independent
"An intriguing investigation"
The Sunday Telegraph
"Hughes’ account is fascinating as an insight into a lost civilisation"
The Telegraph
"Hughes is determined to separate fact from fiction, and using the latest scientific evidence and archaeological finds she pieces together a convincing theory"
The Times
"This is a serious and really interesting look at ancient Aegean history."
The Radio Times
"A fascinating glimpse into the mysteries of the past"
The Mail on Sunday
"A forensic examination of the Atlantis myth"
The Guardian
"Well worth watching."
The Observer
"We Love History!"
The Mirror