Atlantis (Atlantis) is the name of a mythical island mentioned and described by Plato, which was devastated by earthquakes, giant waves and buried in mud under the sea.
James Cameron has produced an interesting documentary about Atlantis, placing it in the south of Spain, with vestiges of cities belonging to this civilization located in Jaén and Crete. The documentary pinpoints its ground zero in Doñana National Park, identifying this part of Spain as the great port of Atlantis.
An old, twisted branch of an olive tree has shined a light on this catastrophe. It was the largest one in antiquity, covering the entire civilization in mud, and occurring almost 4000 years ago. Rescued from volcanic lava remains, this fossilized olive tree has been able to date this catastrophe between the years 1627 and 1600 BC., all thanks to radiocarbon dating.
The olive branch, which was a witness to the event, was buried during the devastating volcanic eruption that occured at the end of the Bronze Age at the island of Thera (present Santorini, in the Aegean Sea). This eruption caused large tsunamis, and its impact affected large areas of the Mediterranean.
When considering the date, characteristics, the amount of devastation, the location – everything indicates that this was the event that ended the mythical civilization of Atlantis. A civilization which, in addition to its advanced technology and naval capacity of its legendary port, was producing and consuming olive oil.
To ratify this story, we are not fortunate enough to have the testimony of a human witness – such as Pliny the Elder was with the eruption of Vesuvius in the year 79 – but we do have a remarkable branch of an olive tree.
Atlantis
The Greek philosopher speaks of the island of Atlantis as a military powerhouse that existed several millennia before its time. Plato placed it beyond the Columns of Hercules (name given to the Strait of Gibraltar).
The power of Atlantis was such that it came to dominate western Europe and northern Africa, until it was stopped by the city of Athens. At that very moment a catastrophe, which is not properly described, made both the island and the rival armies disappear, «in a single day and a terrible night.»
Documentary «Atlantis Rising»
*Illustration: Rocío Espín Piñar.