Legend of Atlantis (Full Episode) | Drain the Oceans

National Geographic・2 minutes read

Advanced underwater technology has allowed for the exploration of sunken cities and lost civilizations, sparking intrigue around locations like Atlantis and the Yonaguni Monument. While some sites, like Pavlopetri, reveal evidence of ancient towns submerged due to natural disasters, others, like the Alikanas Bay colonnade, are debated as geological formations rather than human settlements.

Insights

  • Advanced underwater technology allows for exploring ocean floors and creating 3D images, aiding in the investigation of sunken cities like Atlantis and the discovery of ancient structures like the Yonaguni Monument.
  • The absence of human artifacts at sites like Yonaguni and Alikanas Bay challenges theories of ancient settlements, highlighting the importance of thorough examination to distinguish between natural geological formations and man-made structures.

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Recent questions

  • What are some examples of lost civilizations and sunken cities?

    Lost civilizations and sunken cities, such as Atlantis, have long fascinated people around the world. Advanced underwater technology now allows for the exploration of ocean floors, leading to the discovery of structures like the Yonaguni Monument off the coast of Japan. In Zakynthos, Greece, underwater structures resembling an ancient settlement have been found, sparking archaeological interest. Additionally, Pavlopetri, a submerged town discovered by Nicholas Fleming, provides evidence of an ancient port city that thrived during the Bronze Age. These examples showcase the allure and mystery surrounding lost civilizations and sunken cities that continue to captivate researchers and the public alike.

  • What is the Yonaguni Monument and its significance?

    The Yonaguni Monument, located off the coast of Japan, is a mysterious underwater structure that some believe to be man-made. Professor Kimura theorized that it was a castle built by a lost civilization 8,000 years ago, sparking debate among experts. However, further examination revealed that the monument is a natural formation shaped by geological forces, challenging the initial theory. The lack of artifacts and evidence of human occupation at Yonaguni further questions its origin, highlighting the ongoing mystery and intrigue surrounding this underwater site.

  • What evidence supports the theory of Atlantis's existence?

    The search for Atlantis has led researchers to explore various locations, including the Straits of Gibraltar, where Marc Gutscher investigated a submerged bank for clues. Plato's description of Atlantis aligns with geological evidence of earthquakes and tsunamis, supporting the theory of its destruction. Additionally, evidence suggests that during the Stone Age, people lived in areas like the island of Spartel, making advancements in farming, domesticating animals, and trading before sea levels rose and submerged their territories. These findings provide intriguing insights into the potential existence of Atlantis and its connection to ancient civilizations.

  • What is the significance of Pavlopetri in understanding ancient civilizations?

    Pavlopetri, discovered by Nicholas Fleming, is an ancient town submerged underwater that provides valuable insights into past civilizations. The town, occupied for 2,400 years, was a thriving port city during the Bronze Age, showcasing evidence of human activity through various artifacts. Its strategic location facilitated trade routes, as seen through storage vessels and loom weights found on-site. The submergence of Pavlopetri was likely due to earthquakes, making it the oldest submerged town discovered and a key site for understanding ancient societies and their interactions.

  • What role do colonnades play in ancient Greek architecture?

    Colonnades marked a significant shift in ancient Greek architecture, allowing builders to transition from wood to stone for constructing larger temples. Alikanas Bay's colonnade in Greece hints at a past settlement, although some experts doubt its significance. The absence of human artifacts underwater suggests that the formations are geological concretions, not remnants of a lost town. Despite the debate surrounding their significance, colonnades represent an important architectural development in ancient Greece, reflecting the evolution of building techniques and styles during that time period.

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Summary

00:00

Exploring Lost Civilizations Under the Sea

  • Lost civilizations and sunken cities, including Atlantis, have intrigued people for centuries.
  • Advanced underwater technology now allows for the exploration of ocean floors and the creation of 3D images.
  • The discovery of circular stones in the Aegean Sea raises questions about their origin.
  • The fascination with Atlantis, described by Plato, continues to captivate archaeologists and filmmakers.
  • The mysterious Yonaguni Monument off the coast of Japan is believed by some to be a man-made structure.
  • Professor Kimura theorizes that the Yonaguni Monument was a castle built by a lost civilization 8,000 years ago.
  • However, further examination reveals that the monument is a natural formation shaped by geological forces.
  • The lack of artifacts and evidence of human occupation at Yonaguni challenges the theory of it being a man-made structure.
  • In Zakynthos, Greece, underwater structures resembling an ancient settlement are discovered, sparking archaeological interest.
  • Through detailed underwater surveys and 3D modeling, the possibility of an ancient town concealed under the bay is explored.

23:36

Ancient Greek architecture transition to stone temples

  • Colonnades marked a significant shift in ancient Greek architecture, allowing builders to transition from wood to stone for constructing larger temples.
  • Alikanas Bay's colonnade hints at a past settlement, although some experts doubt its significance.
  • The absence of human artifacts underwater suggests the formations are geological concretions, not remnants of a lost town.
  • Pavlopetri, discovered by Nicholas Fleming, reveals evidence of an ancient town submerged underwater.
  • Fleming's findings are confirmed by a team of surveyors, showcasing human activity through various artifacts.
  • Pavlopetri, occupied for 2,400 years, was a thriving port city during the Bronze Age.
  • The town's strategic location facilitated trade routes, evident through storage vessels and loom weights found on-site.
  • Pavlopetri's submergence was likely due to earthquakes, making it the oldest submerged town discovered.
  • The search for Atlantis leads to the Straits of Gibraltar, where Marc Gutscher explores a submerged bank for clues.
  • Plato's description of Atlantis aligns with geological evidence of earthquakes and tsunamis, supporting the theory of its destruction.

42:53

Ancient civilizations lost to rising seas

  • Evidence suggests that during the Stone Age, people lived in areas like the island of Spartel, making significant advancements such as farming, domesticating animals, and trading, before sea levels rose and submerged their territories.
  • The story of Atlantis, while a legend, reflects the human experience of dealing with the destructive power of nature, as seen in the vulnerability of coastal cities like New Orleans to rising sea levels, with the city sinking due to groundwater removal and facing the possibility of becoming uninhabitable by the next century.
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