It's evident that the Minoans were a highly advanced civilization. So, what happened to them?
The evidence shows us that the entire civilization came to a sudden end around the 15th century B.C. (The Exodus from Egypt is dated around this time). Scholars disagree over whether the Minoans were destroyed by a volcano eruption (the nearby Santorini volcano) or tidal wave, or a combination of the two. Both the tidal wave and volcanic eruption were probably caused by a massive earthquake that is said to have taken place around that time. Whatever it was, it was a natural disaster of apocalyptic proportions that wiped the Minoans off the map, although it may not have been altogether instantaneous, as some historians believe. Sources for information are scarce, but one History Channel documentary on the subject claimed some Minoan survivors may have had time to flee north, and that there was some proof of Minoan presence found either in the Aegean Islands or southern Greece (I honestly forget which). For you conspiracy theorists, they say the Minoan survivors birthed a long line of other highly intelligent and advanced people: Leonardo da Vinci, Sir Isaac Newton, and Albert Einstein being among some of their alleged descendants.
Now, also take the two characteristics of this civilization—their advanced innovations and their sudden demise—and some scholars claim the Minoan civilization may be the factual, historical version of the mythical Atlantis. The Greek philosopher Plato wrote, "In a single day and night of misfortune...the island of Atlantis disappeared in the depths of the sea." Disney would have it be discovered underneath Iceland…
"I will find Atlantis on my own—if I have to rent a rowboat!" Haha, love that movie!
No comments:
Post a Comment