The Search for Atlantis: Separating Fact from Fiction

THE ARCHAEOLOGIST EDITOR GROUP

The Lost City of Atlantis is a legendary island nation first mentioned by the ancient Greek philosopher Plato in his dialogues "Timaeus" and "Critias." According to Plato, Atlantis was a powerful and advanced civilization that existed around 9,000 years before his own time, or around 11,000 years ago. The city was said to be located beyond the "Pillars of Hercules," which is believed to be the Strait of Gibraltar, and was described as a utopia with advanced technology and a highly organised society.

Despite the fact that there is no concrete evidence to prove the existence of Atlantis, the story of the lost city has captivated the imaginations of people for centuries. Many historians, archaeologists, and explorers have searched for the lost city, but to no avail. However, that has not stopped theories and speculations from arising about where the city could have been located and what caused its downfall.

One theory suggests that Atlantis was located in the Mediterranean, possibly on the island of Santorini in Greece. This theory is based on the fact that Santorini experienced a massive volcanic eruption around 1,600 BCE, which could have caused the destruction of any civilization on the island. Additionally, the island of Crete, which is located just south of Santorini, was home to the Minoan civilization, which was a highly advanced society that existed around the same time period as Plato's Atlantis.

Another theory suggests that Atlantis was located in the Atlantic Ocean, possibly on the island of Antillia, which is located off the coast of Portugal. This theory is based on the fact that the name "Atlantis" is derived from the Greek word "atlantis," which means "island of Atlas." Furthermore, the island of Antillia is said to have been sighted by ancient navigators, who referred to it as the "Island of Seven Cities."

Yet another theory suggests that Atlantis was located in the Americas, possibly in the region of South America or Mexico. This theory is based on the fact that ancient civilizations such as the Maya and the Inca developed advanced societies in these regions around the same time period as Plato's Atlantis. Furthermore, some ancient texts from these civilizations make reference to a great flood, which could have been the cause of the destruction of Atlantis.

Despite the different theories and speculations, there is no concrete evidence to prove the existence of Atlantis or to determine its exact location. Nevertheless, the story of the lost city continues to fascinate people and inspire new theories and speculations.

In conclusion, the lost city of Atlantis is a mystery that has captivated people for centuries. The story of a powerful and advanced civilization that existed thousands of years ago, and then vanished without a trace, is intriguing and leaves a lot of room for speculation. While there is no concrete evidence to prove the existence of Atlantis, the various theories and speculations about its location and downfall make for an interesting and ongoing debate. Whether or not Atlantis truly existed, the story of this lost city will continue to inspire people to seek the truth and explore the mysteries of the past.

Archaeologists in Egypt Unearth 2,500-Year-Old Mummified Crocodiles

Found beneath an ancient dump, the mummies shed light on ancient Egyptian mummification practices and the many lives of a necropolis.

At first glance, you may think you’re looking at a picture of living crocodiles moving stealthily through mud. But the animals above are mummies, possibly dead for more than 2,500 years and preserved in a ritual that likely honored Sobek, a fertility deity worshiped in ancient Egypt.

The mummies were among 10 adult crocodiles, likely from two different species, the remains of which were unearthed recently from a tomb at Qubbat al-Hawa on the west bank of the Nile River. The discovery was detailed in the journal PLoS ONE on Wednesday.

The crocodile has played an important role in Egyptian culture for thousands of years. In addition to being linked to a deity, it was a food source, and parts of the animal, like its fat, were used as medicine to treat body pains, stiffness and even balding.

Mummified animals, including ibises, cats and baboons, are relatively common finds in Egyptian tombs. Other mummified crocodile remains have been dug up, but most have been juveniles or hatchlings; additionally, the ones discovered in this new study were in great shape.

“Most of the time I’m dealing with fragments, with broken things,” said Bea De Cupere, an archaeozoologist at the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences and a co-author of the study. “To hear you have 10 crocodiles in a tomb. That’s special.”

She was called to the Qubbat al-Hawa site by a research team led by Alejandro Jiménez Serrano, an Egyptologist from the University of Jaén in Spain. In 2018, researchers uncovered seven small tombs under a Byzantine-era rubbish dump. In one of the tombs — sandwiched between the dump site and four human burials believed to be from around 2100 B.C. — were the mummified crocodiles.

Dr. De Cupere studies everything including bones, teeth and shells as well as coprolites, or fossilized feces, and animal prints. “You have archaeologists doing an excavation and, if they find animal remains that they think are worth looking at, that’s when we come into the picture,” Dr. De Cupere said.

Of the 10 mummified adult crocodile remains found, five were just heads and the other five were in varying states of completion, but one, at over seven feet long, was nearly complete. Often animal and human mummies are found wrapped in linen bandages secured by resin, which means scientists use techniques like CT scans or X-rays to see through the material. The Qubbat al-Hawa crocodiles contained no resin, and the only fragments of linen present had been all but entirely eaten by insects, allowing the researchers to study the mummies at the excavation site.

Based on skull shape and how the bony plates, or scutes, on the animals were arranged, the team hypothesized that the majority of crocodiles in the tomb appeared to be one species, Crocodylus suchus, while others were Crocodylus niloticus. Salima Ikram, an Egyptologist at the American University in Cairo who was not involved in the study, said that gathering this kind of information provided insight into ancient Egyptian understanding of the distinct behaviors of these two species and which the Egyptians would want to interact with, “because niloticus will eat you, whereas with suchus, you can conceivably swim in the same pool and live,” Dr. Ikram said.

A lack of resin also indicated that the crocodiles were probably mummified by being buried in the hot, sandy soil, where they dried out naturally before being entombed, which the researchers proposed happened before the Ptolemaic period, which lasted between 332 B.C. and 30 B.C.

“From the Ptolemaic period onward, they used huge quantities of resin,” Dr. De Cupere said.

The team hypothesized that the crocodile mummies were buried around the fifth century B.C., when animal mummification was increasingly popular in Egypt. But it will take radiocarbon dating to know for sure. The researchers hope that, in the near future, there will be a chance to perform such dating, as well as DNA analysis to verify the two species.

“The discovery of these mummies offers us new insights into ancient Egyptian religion and the treatment of these animals as an offering,” said Dr. Jiménez Serrano.

Dr. Ikram also views these discoveries as an important window into the relationship between people and the Qubbat al-Hawa necropolis, from the first burials over 4,000 years ago to the present day. “Within the community, how were these tombs viewed? What were their uses?” Dr. Ikram said. “You’re seeing how these tombs had after lives and lives.”

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/18/science...

McDermott’s Castle: Lough Key In Ireland Has A Fairy Tale Castle In Ruins

In the middle of Lough Key in Ireland, an island castle stands abandoned and in ruins; the mystic surrounding is nearly as fascinating as its history.

Imagine the perfect setting for a fairy tale: on a shimmering, deep blue lake, a lonely island stands the test of time; in it, rising above the fog, are the ruins of a once majestic castle, turrets, and towers slowly being overtaken by ivy, walls crumbling, but still magical. This is a picture visitors can see in real life, south of Boyle in the Republic of Ireland. This place is Castle Island, one of the dozen of small islands that dot the vast scenic forests of Lough Key, where McDermott’s Castle stands the test of time. Destroyed, reconstructed, and abandoned many times over, this fairy tale castle has a suiting exciting background; witness to nearly a thousand years of Irish history, McDermotts’s Castle Island has been home to several generations of rulers and dynasties, the stage of battles, celebrations, conquests, and doomed love stories.

The History Behind McDermott’s Castle

The turrets and crumbling castle walls that are seen today, overtaken by nature and ivy, have an earlier past than this castle's imposing look might indicate: in the 19th century, Welsh architect John Nash (who projected Buckingham Palace) acquired Castle Island then abandoned for over three centuries, and built himself a folly castle. However, the history of the island is much older, dating back to the early Middle Ages, when Gaelic kings ruled over Ireland and when Castle Island was home and stronghold of kings.

The Medieval Kingdom Of Moylurg

In the medieval age, Gaelic Ireland was divided into many kingdoms, sometimes brought together by one High King. One of these kingdoms, in the region of modern County Roscommon, was the Moylurg (Magh Luirg) Kingdom, which for five centuries was ruled by the McDermott (Mac Diarmata) Clan.

According to the Annals of Loch Cè, one of the most important documents of medieval Ireland, Castle Island, then known as “the Rock,” was the seat of the McDermotts at the heart of Lough Key (Loch Cé in Irish). The Annals covered the events of Connacht and Moylurg from 1014 to 1590, chronicling McDermott’s castle history through the centuries.

  • King Diarmait, who gave the McDermott Clan its name (an earlier form of McDermott is mac Diarmata), died on the Rock in 1159 after ruling for 35 years.

  • In 1184 or 1887, the castle was struck by lightning and was destroyed in a terrible fire.

  • 1235, the Rock came under siege by Richard Mór de Burgh during the Conquest of Connacht. Using a combination of catapults and fire, king Cormac McDermott had to surrender, and the McDermott Clan was forced to abandon the castle for a decade.

  • In a later letter by king Einigh McDermott, it is detailed the story of the Hag of Lough Key, a woman who visited the McDermott Castle during king Cormac McDermott’s rule and refused to leave for a whole year.

  • In the last 300 years of McDermott’s rule of Moylurg, the Rock was under constant turbulence, as succession disputes, attacks, and conflicts with the sometimes ally, sometimes enemy kingdom of Connacht painted Castle Island. Countless McDermott kings lived, ruled, and died at the castle on the Rock.

The McDermott Clan was permanently forced out of the Rock in the 1580s by Anglo-Norman invaders. The island would remain abandoned for centuries, pieces of the castles built and rebuilt through all the centuries of Moylurg left to rot.

The Poems Of McDermott Castle

McDermott’s Castle's grip on people’s imagination is not a new development. The Rock is the stage where the tragic Legend of Una Bhàn takes place - the story of the beautiful daughter of a McDermott king who fell in love with Tomás Láidir, whom her father disapproved of. After she fell into melancholy, the king sent word for Tomás Láidir to come to Una, but it was too late, and Una Bhàn died of a broken heart, buried on neighboring Trinity Island.

In the late 1500s, poet Eochaidh Ó hÉoghusa wrote a piece lamenting the Rock’s abandonment and the castle ruin.

19th-Century Whimsical Mansion

After being empty and abandoned for three centuries, the Rock was purchased by architect John Nash in the early 19th century. John Nash built a whimsical folly mansion in a medieval nostalgic style. The castle was used as a summer house to throw lavish parties atop the ruins of the true medieval fortresses.

Archeologists uncovered many base structures and luxurious artifacts from excavations on the island in 2018. The island is the site of remains from distinct centuries, the oldest of them being the enclosure wall that surrounds the island; it is the largest remain of the medieval strongholds and predates even the earliest findings of the McDermott’s castles.

Can You Visit McDermott’s Castle?

Castle Island is located in Lough Key, inside the area of Lough Key Forest Park. It is one of 30 islands dotting the Lough, many of which contain Moylurg Kingdom’s structures also, such as churches and important monasteries.

Outside of periodical control of ivy and low-level maintenance, Castle Island remains empty and mostly abandoned, its castle ruins attracting visitors for their whimsical and stunning look. Lough Key Forest Park offers boat tours that can take visitors to the island, taking in the sight. Boating and kayaking are popular activities in Lough Key, where Castle Island can be accessed. It's not likely a visitor will spend the night at this castle, but it is a wonderfully unique location to visit.

More To Do In Lough Key Forest Park

The Lough Key Forest Park is a wide expanse of scenic forests and spectacular Irish trails surrounding Lough Key, natural beauty steeped in the history of the Moylurg Kingdom and ancient Ireland. After taking in the stunning sight that is McDermott’s Castle Island, visitors can explore some of the other islands, including Trinity Island, where it is said Una Bhàn is buried.

The Park offers the Rockingham Remembered Tour, which goes through the history of the Loch - including another McDermott residence, where Moylurg Towers stands today -and a wide array of fun activities, from immersive puzzle games, camping, boating, and trekking.

Source: https://www.thetravel.com/what-to-know-abo...

The Crusades in 5 Minutes

It is twenty-four years since the First Crusaders conquered Jerusalem. Robert Bures is a young knight whose father rose to power and prosperity in the new Crusader kingdom, and whose uncle died in battle with the Saracens. Nothing matters more to him than defending the Holy Sepulcher, the tomb of Jesus Christ, more sacred than any shrine in Christendom. Robert has been a trusted retainer to Baldwin II, King of Jerusalem, a veteran of the First Crusade who now rules the beleaguered Christian outpost in the Holy Land, but his friendship with the King's daughter, the beautiful and headstrong Princess Melisende, is growing unfittingly close.

In Aleppo, the Turkish warlord Balak has raised a vast Saracen army and promises to drive the Christians into the sea. King Baldwin II is short of men and funds, yet his faith in God in unshakable, and he inspires passionate loyalty in his troops. His daughter Melisende feels the weight of the future pressing down upon her, for her father has no son, and she is heir to a Kingdom that her people believe would be better inherited by a warrior prince. Why Does the Heathen Rage? explores a magnificent but rarely examined chapter in Crusades history.

The Kingdom of Jerusalem is young, and beset from all sides with enemies. In the face of unending trials, King Baldwin II and his knights fight with zeal, ready to die for the city that Christ made sacred with his blood: Jerusalem.

Archaeologists Discover LOST 52 Feet Ancient Egyptian Papyrus

Today let us see what artifact the Egyptian mission unearthed along with the mummies at Saqqara.

In the shadow of the Step Pyramid of Djoser, archaeologists have been excavating for years. Last year they uncovered a trove of ancient artifacts at the necropolis of Saqqara near Cairo, including mummies and bronze statues dating back some 2,500 years ago. Among the treasures were 150 bronze statues, dozens of sacred animals, and 250 painted coffins — with well-preserved mummies inside. But that was not all they found.

The Qur'an and the Secrets of Babylon

Prophet Abraham is a pivotal figure in Judaism, Christianity and Islam. While there is a lot of overlap in the stories about Abraham in the Qur’an and Bible, it is only the Qur’an that reveals knowledge about ancient Babylonia that, until recently, has remained hidden from mankind, lost in time.

Mysterious Ancient Stairs Discovered On The Giza Plateau

A HUGE drawing has been discovered carved into the ground of Hawaiian wasteland, which some believe could be an ancient star map.

Brett Cousins, who runs YouTube channel thirdphaseofmoon, travelled more than an hour after spotting the strange formation on Google Earth.

When he got there, he used his drone to follow the same path he had found on the online mapping site.

And video footage reveals the amazing scenes he uncovered.

The clip shows a three-mile-wide structure, which appears to be man-made.

And Brett thinks it could be a star map used by an advanced ancient society.

"This is one of the oldest areas of Hawaii and this map could date back 100,000-150,000," he revealed.

"To me, it matches up perfectly to ancient star maps we've seen before.

"Why would it only be visible from the sky though? We asked many of the locals and they have never even noticed it.

"Whatever this thing is must have been some kind of message or signal for someone in the sky looking down."

The clip was uploaded to YouTube on October 29, where it has since gained more than 19,000 hits.

And viewers were just as stunned.

"They are similar to Nazcar lines," one pointed out.

Another added: "Very fascinating. Thanks so much. Will be looking forward to more info from you."

And a third claimed: "Awesome Good Job! that just may be the oldest petroglyph on the planet."

Source: https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/weird-new...

The Ancient Greek Fisherman and His Astonishing Villa Mosaics

Phainos was the most famous fisherman of his time who lived in the 2nd century AD in the ancient Greek city of Halicarnassus.

His villa, adorned with astonishing mosaics depicting sea creatures, was accidentally discovered by property developers in 2018.

Phainos was considered the richest fisherman of the Roman period in Halicarnassus, located near the modern Turkish city of Bodrum.

The luxury villa of the ancient Greek fisherman

Moreover, 10 tombs and human remains have also been discovered as well as a well, a Roman bath, marble work that was used in luxury residences back then, pottery, perfume bottles, and fishing equipment.

“The first findings of Phainos, the most famous fisherman of his time, were first discovered in the ancient city of Halicarnassus in 1890s. More mosaics and villa ruins that had the marks of Phainos were later discovered during the excavations at the city center,” archaeologist Candan Temizel said.

He added that “Those findings which have been unearthed should be carefully protected. This invaluable world heritage should be shared.”

Halicarnassus was famous for the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, also known simply as the Tomb of Mausolus, whose name provided the origin of the word “mausoleum”. The mausoleum, built from 353 to 350 BC, is ranked as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

Ancient Greeks were particularly fond of fresh fish

Ancient Greeks were gourmands and particularly fond of large fresh fish and eel, according to research headed by zooarchaeologist Dr. Demetra Mylona.

The zooarchaeologist, who does research for the Institute of Aegean Prehistory Study Center for East Crete, is collecting data from written sources, scientific texts and also from the study of ancient remains of fish, such as bones.

“We can also learn a lot from ancient bones of fish brought to light by the archaeologist’s hoe and by the pots in which they were cooked, conducting chemical analysis of food residues,” Mylona told the Athens News Agency.

According to Mylona, the ancient Greeks had a special preference for Aegean fish living in rocks, but also liked fish from the open seas, such as tuna, a sought-after fish. They also liked mackerel, bonito and anchovy, which were abundant during their season and were easy to catch with nets.

Source: https://thetimes.gr/the-ancient-greek-fish...

Rome Strikes Back: Belisarius and the Wars of Justinian

In the 6th century AD, during the reign of Emperor Justinian, the Roman Empire experienced an extraordinary resurgence, reconquering lands - including Italy, North Africa and Rome itself - that had been lost to the 'barbarians' a century before. Leading these campaigns, a brilliant Roman general named Flavius Belisarius - a skilled tactician, inspirational leader, pragmatic and humane. This is the story of those campaigns, as recorded by Procopius, an eyewitness to many of them, as well as other ancient historians, texts, and archaeological remains.

The Most Evil Popes Ever

In the video below we will be going through the most evil popes ever existed. Watch the video to find out more!

Biblical Mysteries: Ark Of The Covenant (2010) | Full Movie

It is a quest that has fascinated scholars and adventurers for century after century. What happened to that treasure and centerpiece of ancient Jewish life — the Ark of the Covenant? No one knows what happened to it, but researchers never give up seeking for this, which will no doubt rank among history's greatest finds if it is ever discovered. In this action-packed documentary shown prime time on NBC, Biblical scholar and modern-day "Indiana Jones" Mike Sanders journeys to one of the Middle East's most dangerous territories to find the elusive ancient ark that once held the stone tablets inscribed with the Ten Commandments. His hair-raising adventure through a veritable political minefield ultimately leads Sanders to the Palestinian-controlled village of Djaharya, a reported training ground for the terrorists groups. We follow Sanders as he uncovers clues that he argues may have brought him to the edge of the cherished discovery. Political problems prohibited the full excavation of the site he pinpoints as the likely location, but the evidence is set forth to help you decide if indeed he is finally just one step away from uncovering the priceless ark.

Viking Blood Bread

In today’s video we will be making viking blood bread. Watch the video for more and enjoy!

Units of History - The Macedonian Silver Shields (Documentary)

In this animated documentary we follow the story of one of the most elite units of history, the Argyraspides : the Silver Shields. We begin the video by taking a look back at their institutional origins. This can be traced back to the early practice in Macedon of having bodyguard units of Hetairoi protect the king in court and on the battlefield. Eventually these would be expanded to form elite units of horse and foot companions during the reforms of Philip the second of Macedon.

Why This Highly Advanced Ancient Civilization Disappeared | Dr. Nathaniel Jeanson

While the western Roman empire was falling in Europe, in the Americas one of the most spectacular civilizations was reaching its peak. With advanced astronomical capabilities, a precise calendar system, massive pyramids, and millions of people, the Mayans had no equals in their day. A few hundred years later, the classic Mayan cities emptied, and their written inscriptions ceased. In short order, their enormous temples were swallowed by the jungle and remained hidden under dense foliage for almost a thousand years. Then, in the early 1800s, the mysterious classic Mayan civilization was re-discovered. Why did it disappear?

For decades, mainstream scholars have debated this question without resolution. Now, with new genetic discoveries in hand, this long-standing mystery might finally be resolved. Tune in to find out what happened to the Maya!

What is Jainism?

In today’s video we will explore the religions of India by looking at the ancient tradition of Jainism. Enjoy!

Full History of the Ancient Celts: Origins to Roman Conquest (Documentary)

This video will talk about the society, economy, religion and other aspects of the Celtic civilization, alongside describing the Roman conquest of the Celts of Italy, France (Gauls), Hispania (Celtiberians) and Anatolia (Galatians), as well as the Celtic invasions of ancient Rome and Greece. Enjoy!