2. ATLANTIS IN SANTORINI The theory of accademic science BACKGROUND Plato made up the story of Atlantis taking the Minoic civilization as example or, at least, collected a confused tale of its history and wrote it in his dialogues. The main points of this theory are: The affinities between Atlantis civilization and the one which developed at Crete. They had the same religious sacrifice of the bull The violent end of the Minoic cvilizations owing to the explosion of the volcanic island of Thera (Santorini). The island was flooded like Atlantis. The disappearance of a part of Santorini under the waters thanks to the violent explosion.

3. ATLANTIS IN SANTORINI The theory of accademic science RESEARCH The rich archaeological adventure at Crete begun in 1900 when Sir Arthur Evans performed some excavations at Cnossos The palace of Poseidon (described by Plato) would be the labyrint of the Minotaurus, which really is at Cnossos Complex systems for pumping hot and cold water were discovered Crete has a plain, the Mesara, which scholars use to identify to Plato’s one Marinatos, performing excavations at Thera, gave light to Akrotiri where a rafinate civilization had birth during the Minoic era. Akrotiri was next to the sea like Atlantis capital. Historical records reports how the real end of Minoic civilization came after a war with Athens, like what Plato stated for Atlantis.

4. ATLANTIS IN SANTORINI The theory of accademic science MEDIA INTEREST This is the solution proposed by the accademic science. And of course it’s the more comfortable for them. Of course common people still prefer the Mid Atlantic one. The archaeological finds in Crete and Thera were well distributed along the last century. Anyway the top audience was reached in 1968 – 69 when excavations at Thera revealed clues of a developed civilization.

5. ATLANTIS IN SANTORINI The theory of accademic science GEOGRAPHICAL REFERENCE Thera after the explosion.

6. ATLANTIS IN SANTORINI The theory of accademic science FINAL BRIEF Authors Marinatos, Luce, Castleden and others Seriousness sufficient Research Abundant of activity and findings. Still in progress Reference “The end of Atlantis” by J.V. LUCE “Atlantis Destroyed” by R. Castleden