CAASPP Success - Grade 7 Reading Comprehension - Expository #1

The Lost City of Atlantis: A Real Mystery from History

[1] The legend of Atlantis has fascinated people for centuries. Mentioned first by the Greek philosopher Plato, Atlantis was said to be a powerful and advanced civilization that mysteriously vanished beneath the ocean. Many consider it a myth, but some historians and archaeologists believe that Atlantis could have been a real place, possibly inspired by actual ancient cities lost to natural disasters. This belief fuels ongoing debates about the location and existence of this mysterious city.

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[2] Plato described Atlantis as a large island located beyond the "Pillars of Hercules," which today we know as the Strait of Gibraltar. The Atlanteans were said to be a powerful and technologically advanced people, living in a utopian society with magnificent palaces, temples, and an impressive naval fleet. According to Plato, they became greedy and corrupt, leading the gods to punish them. In a single day and night, Atlantis supposedly sank into the ocean, disappearing forever. Whether Atlantis was a real place or a fictional tale meant to illustrate moral lessons remains uncertain.

[3] Several theories suggest that Atlantis might have been based on real locations that suffered catastrophic events. One of the most popular theories connects Atlantis to the island of Santorini in the Aegean Sea. Santorini was home to the Minoan civilization, one of the most advanced of its time. Around 1600 BCE, a massive volcanic eruption devastated the island, causing a large portion of it to sink into the sea. The eruption also triggered tsunamis that likely destroyed other coastal areas, contributing to the downfall of the Minoans. Some researchers believe that the story of Atlantis could be a memory of this disaster, passed down and eventually transformed into myth.

[4] Another theory links Atlantis to the city of Helike in ancient Greece. Helike was a prosperous coastal city in the region of Achaea. In 373 BCE, an earthquake caused the city to sink into the sea, much like the fate described by Plato. For centuries, Helike remained buried underwater until archaeologists rediscovered its ruins in the 1990s. The similarities between Helike and the Atlantis myth suggest that Plato might have drawn inspiration from real events like these when crafting his story.

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[5] Recently, researchers have proposed that the myth of Atlantis could be connected to a group of sunken islands near the Canary Islands, off the coast of Spain. Using advanced underwater technology, marine geologists discovered these submerged landmasses, now called "Los Atlantes." These islands, once above water, sank due to volcanic activity, and some scientists believe they could have inspired the Atlantis legend. Marine geologist Luis Somoza noted, "This could be the origin of the Atlantis legend," especially as the islands continue to sink, a phenomenon that mirrors the myth.

[6] Another intriguing possibility is the region known as Doggerland, a submerged landmass in the North Sea between England and Denmark. Thousands of years ago, this area was a vast plain, home to various human populations. However, around 6200 BCE, a massive tsunami submerged Doggerland, erasing it from the map. Some scholars speculate that the memory of this event, passed down through generations, could have contributed to the Atlantis story.

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[7] Not all experts believe that Atlantis was ever a real place. Many scholars argue that Plato used the story of Atlantis as an allegory to convey lessons about human hubris and the dangers of overreaching power. Kenneth Feder, a professor of anthropology, suggests that while no archaeological evidence supports the existence of Atlantis, the story has driven interest in real ancient civilizations. He argues that this curiosity can lead people to explore genuine historical mysteries, making Atlantis a gateway to understanding the ancient world.

[8] Some researchers have even explored the possibility that Atlantis was not a single place but rather a composite of several lost civilizations. This theory suggests that Plato might have combined stories of different ancient disasters into one dramatic narrative. For example, the collapse of the Minoan civilization, the destruction of Helike, and the flooding of Doggerland all happened within a few thousand years of each other. The idea that Plato wove these separate events into a single tale of Atlantis could explain why the legend has such a wide appeal and why it has been so difficult to pinpoint its location.

[9] Furthermore, some interpretations of the Atlantis myth suggest that it reflects universal themes of human ambition, failure, and redemption. The rise and fall of Atlantis could symbolize the cycle of civilizations that rise to great heights only to collapse under their own weight. This idea resonates with modern societies, which often grapple with the same issues of power, corruption, and environmental destruction. In this sense, the legend of Atlantis remains relevant today, serving as a timeless reminder of the fragility of human achievements and the importance of humility in the face of nature’s power.

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[10] The story of Atlantis, whether real or imagined, continues to captivate people worldwide. Its allure lies in the blend of fact and fiction, history and myth. As experts and explorers keep searching for evidence, new theories will emerge, each adding to the legend of this lost city. Atlantis may never be found, but the quest itself reminds us of the enduring power of stories to inspire discovery and wonder.