Atlantis: a Grain of Truth Behind the Fiction?
Massimo Rapisarda
The legend of Atlantis was almost certainly invented by Plato to promote the political ideal his masterwork Republic, while praising heroism own ancestors. This paper suggests that, in assembling story, might have reworked myth foundation Egypt, attributed divine invaders bringing agriculture and unknown technologies country. key issue explored is curious coincidence between period alleged Egypt (according traditional Egyptian sources) some remarkable events that characterized end Ice Age. Indeed, besides sudden increase temperature consequent rise sea level, also marked birth appearance totally new diverse Middle Eastern locations. memory these would been handed down through and, this, Greek culture, enabling exaggerate antiquity noble ancestors embellishing characteristics invaders. Such occasional technological leaps may occurred elsewhere world, for instance on deltas Indus or Yangtze, driven same change climate affected whole planet. Although today there no archaeological evidence such East, article possible discovery obsidian a submerged site be strong indication local leap. To this it examines, amongst suspected Mediterranean sites, flooded islands Strait Sicily, which, lying route Pantelleria, retain traces ancient exploitation.