Everything that we know about the ancient civilisation of Atlantis has come from Greek philosopher Plato, in the fourth century B.C. According to the few pages from his two dialogues, Timaeus and Critias, Plato states that Atlantis was in existence some 9000 years before his own life on Earth. Once a utopian island with great naval power in the ancient world, this kingdom suddenly disappeared into the sea in just one day. Over the years since, many historians, scientists, explorers and writers have been debating whether Atlantis had really existed. And, if it had, where this island could have been.
Theory One – Antarctica is actually Atlantis
This theory was inspired by a book called ‘Earth’s Shifting Crust’, that was written in 1958 by author Charles Hapgood. Hapgood proposed in his book that the entire city of Atlantis was actually sat on what we now know as the continent of Antarctica.
He claims that plate tectonics within our planet caused the crust of the Earth to shift around 12,000 years ago, which pushed Atlantis, or Antarctica, closer to the bottom of the planet and into a colder, icier climate, therefore burying the civilisation under layers upon layers of ice.
Theory 2 – The Bermuda Triangle Swallowed It
Yes. You’re reading correctly. There are some people that believe that the Bermuda Triangle gobbled up the huge kingdom of Atlantis. And, as if this all wasn’t enough already, apparently there’s proof!
One of the world’s greatest mysteries itself, The Bermuda Triangle is a huge region located in the North Atlantic Ocean that measures over 500,000 square metres. Over many years, countless ships and planes have disappeared off the face of the Earth in truly unexplainable circumstances whilst either flying over it, or sailing over it.
In 2001, a marine engineer and her husband, Paul Weinzweig, discovered what they thought to be huge granite structures off the coast of Cuba, just within the boundary of the Bermuda Triangle, with a video robot at 750 metres below sea level.
This strange civilisation below the water, which was later named ‘The Cuban Underwater City”, has been baffling scientists and experts for years, and nobody can explain why it’s there.
Some conspiracy theorists believe that this is actually the location of Atlantis, which was thriving during the last ice age. However, when the below freezing temperatures suddenly came to a halt, the polar ice caps melted at such a high speed that the sea levels shot up and swamped coastal land. It is during this time that it is believed Atlantis met its ocean grave.
According legend, Atlantis was powered by magical crystals that are still sending bursts of energy to the surface to this day. This is something that conspiracy theorists say could be enough to take down a modern day plane or ship.
Theory 3 – Atlantis is actually the story of the Minoan civilisation
This theory concerns the civilisation that flourished on the Greek islands of Crete and Thera (now known as Santorini), more than 4000 years ago. The Minoans, named for their legendary King Minos, are believed to be Europe’s first great civilisation. They built lavish palaces, paved roads, and were the first Europeans to use a written language.
At the height of their power, the Minoans suddenly disappeared. This is a mystery that has powered the belief in a link between this fantastic yet doomed civilisation, and Atlantis.
It is believed by historians that around 1600 B.C., a huge earthquake shook the island of Thera, which was volcanic, thus triggering an eruption of 10 million tonnes of rock, ash, and gas into the atmosphere. Tsunamis followed, and were big enough to wipe out cities throughout the island. This devastation may have made the Minoan population vulnerable to invaders from the Greek mainland.
Theory 4 – Atlantis is a Myth
Historians and scientists across the world and come to the conclusion that Plato’s account of Atlantis was a myth.
They believe that Plato invented Atlantis as his ‘dream civilisation’, and intended the story of its disappearance to be a cautionary tale of the Gods punishing humans.
There are no written records of Atlantis outside of Plato’s dialogues, including other texts that have survived from Ancient Greece.
And, despite the modern technology and advances in oceanography and ocean-floor mapping, no trace of a sunken civilisation has ever been found. Tell that to the Bermuda Triangle!
The Conspiracy Theorist 
