Table of Contents
Atlantis and Its Historical Context
Jon F. White and Matt Lacroix discussed the myth of Atlantis and its historical implications. Jon emphasized that he views Atlantis as an allegory, with no evidence supporting its existence as a real place.
According to Jon, the story of Atlantis symbolized the state of Egyptian versus Greek societies, rather than describing an actual event or location. He also referenced popular theories, like the idea that Atlantis was destroyed following the Younger Dryas period, but remained skeptical.
In contrast, Matt Lacroix provided a detailed historical account of the story of Atlantis. According to Matt, the tale begins with Solon, a Greek statesman who visited Egypt. During his visit, Solon allegedly learned about ancient civilizations from an Egyptian elder priest named Sanus, who claimed that the Greeks only remembered one great flood but that there had been many.
Solon’s stories were passed down and eventually reached Plato, who recorded them in his works, including the Timaeus and Critias dialogues.
Plato’s Account and Allegorical Interpretations
Matt argued that Plato may have used allegory in his account of Atlantis for two reasons. First, he suggested that it served as a contrast between Greek democracy and Egyptian imperialism.
Second, Plato’s use of allegory protected him from persecution. Socrates, Plato’s mentor, had been executed for his outspoken views, and Matt speculated that Plato, fearing a similar fate, chose to couch his accounts in allegory. This would have allowed only those initiated in symbolic understanding to comprehend the full meaning.
The Timing of Atlantis’ Destruction
Matt further connected the timing of Atlantis’ destruction with geological and climatic data. He pointed out that Plato’s timeline for the fall of Atlantis, which occurred around 11,600 years ago, coincides with the end of the Younger Dryas period, a time marked by significant climatic changes and disruptions.
He mentioned that ice core samples and other geological evidence support the idea that the Earth’s climate underwent drastic changes around this time, which could have led to massive environmental upheaval.
Geological and Archaeological Evidence
Matt discussed the Azores as a potential location for Atlantis, citing geological features that suggest the region may have once been part of a submerged landmass. He noted that this region falls on three tectonic plate boundaries, making it prone to volcanic and seismic activity.
Matt speculated that an event like the subduction of land due to tectonic activity could have caused an entire continent to sink into the ocean, aligning with Plato’s descriptions of Atlantis’ destruction.
Jon acknowledged the potential for massive geological events to cause the destruction of landmasses but remained unconvinced that such an event explains Atlantis.
He pointed to other historical instances, such as the loss of Doggerland between Great Britain and mainland Europe, as examples of land being submerged without the need for myths of a lost civilization like Atlantis.
Megalithic Structures and Civilizations
Matt discussed megalithic structures around the world, including those found in Egypt, Easter Island, and Lebanon, arguing that these structures were evidence of a highly advanced civilization that may have existed before the Younger Dryas period. He pointed out that many of the largest megalithic structures remain unfinished, suggesting that their construction may have been interrupted by a catastrophic event.
Matt referenced the work of geologist Robert Schoch, who posited that solar events such as coronal mass ejections could have caused significant disruptions on Earth, potentially leading to the downfall of these civilizations.
Jon remained skeptical, arguing that many of these theories have been addressed by qualified experts in peer-reviewed papers.
He emphasized that civilizations do not always follow a linear trajectory of development and that environmental and social pressures often lead to the rise and fall of societies.
He also questioned the idea that advanced civilizations existed before the currently accepted timeline of human history.
The Younger Dryas and Its Impact
The discussion moved to the Younger Dryas, a period of sudden cooling and warming that occurred approximately 12,000 years ago. Jon explained that while there is evidence of a sudden climate shift, possibly caused by a comet impact, the effects were largely confined to the Northern Hemisphere. He argued that there is no evidence of the dramatic sea-level rises that would be required to support the idea of Atlantis sinking beneath the ocean.
Matt countered with data on sea levels rising by as much as 40 meters (131.23 feet) between 14,000 and 10,000 years ago, which could have submerged significant portions of land. However, Jon maintained that these changes were gradual and did not support the sudden destruction of a large, advanced civilization.
Conclusion: Differing Views on Atlantis
In conclusion, Jon F. White and Matt Lacroix presented differing views on the existence and significance of Atlantis. While Jon approached the topic from a skeptical, academic perspective, focusing on the lack of archaeological evidence, Matt leaned on historical accounts, geological data, and megalithic architecture to support his belief in a lost civilization. Both agreed that the Younger Dryas was a pivotal period in human history, but their interpretations of its impact on the story of Atlantis diverged significantly.
