Serie C brev nr 6

Magazine Overview

This issue of BREVCIRKELN, titled 'EDENS LUSTGÅRD --- ATLANTIS?', published as Volume C, Issue 6 in July 1955, delves into the enduring mystery of the legendary lost continent of Atlantis. The cover features a quote attributed to Solon, highlighting the perceived immaturity of Greek knowledge compared to ancient traditions.

The Legend of Atlantis and Flood Myths

The article begins by acknowledging Atlantis as a subject that has captivated human imagination for millennia, citing Plato's account of its submersion by the sea approximately 9,000-10,000 years BC. It notes that thousands of books have been written on the topic, and the myth of Atlantis is often linked to flood narratives found in various cultures, including the biblical story of the Great Flood. The text suggests that the biblical flood narrative might be a concentrated form of older flood stories, possibly originating from Babylonia and the Epic of Gilgamesh, where the god Enlil sends a devastating flood to punish humanity.

Further evidence for ancient flood stories is found in Mesopotamian cuneiform tablets discovered in the ruins of Assur-bani-pal's library in Nineveh around 1872. These fragments, though dating from the 7th century BC, are believed to be remnants of much older texts. The Sumerian original of this narrative was discovered more recently, predating the Nineveh texts by over 2,000 years. In Egypt, similar accounts of humanity's destruction by flood are depicted on the walls of Seti I's tomb in the Valley of the Kings, dating to around 1300 BC. Despite being later than the Sumerian version, these Egyptian depictions are rich in detail and enigmatic allusions, which some scientists find difficult to comprehend.

Theories on the Location of Atlantis

Numerous researchers have claimed to have solved the riddle of Atlantis, proposing various locations for the lost continent. These include the British Isles, Africa, Spain, Palestine, America, and the Azores. Notably, Olof Rudbeck, in his work 'Atlantica' published in 1675, identified Sweden as the true Atlantis, with Uppsala as its former capital. However, new geographical theories continually emerge, with the Arctic region, near the North Pole, being a prominent candidate.

Modern Research and Expeditions

The 1950s saw several expeditions dedicated to investigating the Atlantis mystery. An English expedition used radar and sonar to survey depths of 3,000 meters off the Azores. An American team studied the seabed near Bermuda, while a French expedition searched the Sahara Desert. Around the same time, theologian and amateur archaeologist Jürgen Spanuth gained significant media attention for his claim that he had found Atlantis off Heligoland during diving expeditions financed by an archaeological association in Hamburg. Spanuth believes his research, based on Plato's dialogues 'Critias' and 'Timaios,' and inscriptions in the temple of Medinet Habu, indicates that the sunken continent lies near Heligoland. He calculated that Atlantis was located about five nautical miles from Heligoland, a place local fishermen refer to as 'Utland' (foreign land).

In July 1955, a diver reportedly descended to the seabed near Heligoland and discovered ruins, including a wall 900 meters long and 30 meters wide, which matched Plato's description. The diver also found remains of houses, fields, roads, and trees. Further north, near Heligoland, ruins of a harbor, a royal castle, and a temple were found, covering an area of 27 hectares. Spanuth stated that specialized vessels and dredging equipment would be needed to fully explore the site, as most of the remains are covered by sand.

Otto Muck's Scientific Approach

German author Otto Muck, known for inventing the snorkel for submarines, approached the Atlantis problem with a scientific methodology in his book 'Atlantis-Funden.' He acknowledges that while no definitive proof of Atlantis's existence has been found, there is also no conclusive evidence against it. Muck's research focuses on climatological, geological, biological, and historical facts, starting from the reality of the Ice Age. He posits that the Ice Age was caused by a different course of the Gulf Stream, which was obstructed from reaching northwestern Europe by a massive land barrier that later disappeared. This aligns with the timing of the melting of glaciers, which corresponds to the period Plato suggests for the disappearance of Atlantis.

The Dolphin Ridge and Eel Migration

Investigations by Scandinavians, Americans, and Germans have revealed a significant underwater mountain range stretching from Iceland to the Azores, with peaks rising to nearly 3,000 meters. This range, known as the 'Dolphin Ridge,' resembles a sunken continent. Muck suggests that if this ridge were to rise above sea level, it would form the barrier that once prevented the Gulf Stream from reaching Northern Europe. Lava fragments found with deep-sea dredgers indicate that this ridge was once above water during the Ice Age.

Muck also points to the migration of eels as biological evidence. He believes that eels, originating from the Sargasso Sea, still instinctively seek the ancient 'Atlantis rivers' and migrate eastward towards Europe, rather than westward towards America, which is geographically closer. This behavior, he argues, supports the theory that Atlantis was located in the Atlantic Ocean, in the area of the Dolphin Ridge.

Atlantis and Ancient Civilizations

Muck suggests that Atlantis was inhabited by a highly developed human race, ancestors of various indigenous peoples and related to the ancient Egyptian culture. He dismisses occult theories about Atlanteans possessing atomic power and causing their own downfall. Instead, he attributes the catastrophe to an astronomical event.

The Cataclysmic Event

According to Muck's research, on June 5, 8496 BC, a rare conjunction of the Earth, Moon, and Venus, combined with the gravitational pull of these three celestial bodies, caused a planetoid weighing two hundred billion tons to be ejected from its orbit and strike the Earth. This impact crushed Atlantis beneath the ocean's surface. The collision also had other significant effects, potentially turning the Sahara Desert into ash and causing the poles to shift, as suggested by ancient Chinese records. The event may have filled the atmosphere with ash and smoke for decades, as described in Mayan myths.

Occult Knowledge and Atlantis

The article contrasts scientific investigations with occult knowledge, noting a remarkable agreement among occultists like Madame Blavatsky and Rudolf Steiner regarding Atlantis. They describe Atlanteans as possessing a highly advanced culture, with systems of education, engineering, airships, and aircraft. However, they also possessed deep occult knowledge, which was ultimately misused for black magic, leading to their downfall and the sinking of the island.

Historical Perspectives on Atlantis

Aristotle considered Atlantis a myth. For centuries, it was largely viewed as Plato's idealized state, a philosophical construct rather than a historical reality. However, the author questions how Plato, a renowned philosopher with high ethical ideals, would present Solon's account as pure fiction if it lacked factual basis, especially given Plato's accurate description of America as the 'opposite continent.'

Solon, the Athenian lawgiver, is described as an unusually esteemed figure whose judgment and reliability were unquestioned. Plutarch states that Solon was free from the flaws and weaknesses of his contemporaries. During his extensive travels in Egypt, Solon had long conversations with an Egyptian priest in Sais. The priest recounted earlier civilizations of a high level, from which Greek civilization derived. He described a great natural revolution approximately 9,000 years prior that ended a large portion of the human race, specifically the Atlanteans.

Plato's Detailed Description of Atlantis

The priest told Solon about a large island, greater than Asia and Libya combined, located west of the Pillars of Hercules (Gibraltar). This island served as a gateway to other islands, from which one could reach the 'opposite continent' (America). The island was founded by the god Poseidon and was initially a prosperous and fertile land. The interior featured a large plain surrounded by mountains, with a smaller mountain nearby. This area was divided by a system of concentric canals and land rings, with the center marked by a mountain. Poseidon gifted this area to his son Atlas, who became the king and gave his name to the island and the surrounding ocean.

Atlas's descendants ruled Atlantis, developing immense power and wealth. The Atlanteans were skilled mining engineers, extracting various minerals, including 'orichalcum,' a metal almost as valuable as gold. They built temples, palaces, and harbors, and constructed a large canal, 100 meters wide, 30 meters deep, and 200 miles long, connecting the capital to the open sea. This canal, along with smaller ones, transformed the concentric rings of land and water into a vast inner harbor.

The central citadel housed Poseidon's grand temple, adorned with silver and gold, and featuring statues of Poseidon, including a colossal statue of the god in his chariot pulled by six winged horses, surrounded by nereids and riding golden dolphins.

The city also boasted numerous parks and pleasure gardens with hot and cold springs. Bathing facilities, both open-air and covered, were used as warm baths in winter. The Poseidon's pleasure garden contained rare and valuable trees due to the fertile soil. Water channels, built over bridges, drained into the outer canal. The island also had ample sports facilities, and a racecourse encircled the largest land area.

The large plain surrounding the city was cultivated efficiently. A vast, circular canal, described as incredibly long and wide, received water flowing from the mountains, which then circulated around the plain before emptying into the sea. Smaller canals, about 30 meters wide and spaced about 100 stadia (approximately two miles) apart, crisscrossed the plain. These canals transported timber from forests and transported grain and fruit. The land yielded two harvests annually, with rain in winter and irrigation from the canal system in summer.

The Decline of Atlantean Society

Plato describes how, for many generations, the Atlanteans, while their divine heritage prevailed, were virtuous and law-abiding citizens, content with their prosperity. However, as their divine blood diluted over generations, their baser nature took over. They became wicked and cruel, leading the gods to punish them with a great cataclysm, resulting in the island's sinking.

Geographical and Linguistic Connections

The article notes that Gadeirus, Atlas's brother, received the northeastern part of the island. The southern part of Spain was known as Gades in Plato's time, and the Spanish city of Cadiz is a remnant of this name. The unique Basque language is highlighted for its grammatical structure, which bears similarities to extinct languages of Central America, suggesting a possible connection.

Writing Systems and Cultural Parallels

Out of all the writing systems in the world, only two are phonetic: the Phoenician alphabet and the script used by the ancient Maya. These alphabets share remarkable similarities, suggesting a common origin. The article points out that the Phoenicians, when founding their colony Carthage, built its harbor according to the same principles Plato described for Atlantis. Both harbors were built into the land and were circular in construction, with a central structure. Both cultures also used covered docks for seafaring, making their harbors appear similar.

Orichalcum and the Bronze Age

Plato mentions three types of stones used in Atlantis's defenses, and the Azores still exhibit red and white rock formations and large lava blocks, along with hot springs, similar to descriptions of Atlantis. The metal 'orichalcum' is identified as almost pure red copper. The widespread occurrence of bronze in both ancient and modern worlds suggests a preceding copper age. The author argues that this copper age must have existed for thousands of years before the Bronze Age, during which humans worked copper without tin. The lack of evidence for this copper age is explained by its development in Atlantis, with more 'barbaric' peoples on other continents transitioning directly to bronze after the Atlantean catastrophe, having learned the alloy from survivors.

Neptune and the Horse Symbol

Plato's description of the god Poseidon in his chariot pulled by six winged horses is compared to depictions of Neptune/Poseidon found worldwide. The author suggests that Poseidon may not have originally been a sea god but a ruler of a large landmass in the ocean. The ability of Atlanteans to tame horses, a feat that took thousands of years of experimentation, is seen as evidence of their advanced civilization, which was uniquely suited for such endeavors.

Domestication of Plants and Animals

The transformation of wild plants and grasses into cultivated flowers, gardens, and crops is also attributed to Atlantean influence. The article notes the limited number of new plant species originating from Australia, South Africa, and South America, and the fact that the wild ancestors of many cultivated plants are unknown. This suggests that these plants were developed over a long prehistoric period in a place that has since disappeared, taking its wild relatives with it.

Geographical Distribution of Flora

The distribution of certain plant species provides clues to Atlantis's location. Trees and plants common to Europe and the parts of America washed by the Atlantic are found, but not west of the Rocky Mountains. The absence of trees like lindens, birches, elms, mulberries, hawthorns, and walnuts on the Pacific coast, while present in Europe, suggests a land bridge or a chain of islands that once connected these regions. The author argues that if these plants could not cross the Rocky Mountains, they could not have crossed the vast Atlantic unless there was a land connection.

The Origin of Cultivated Plants

The author concludes that a continent in the middle of the Atlantic must have existed, where humans, over countless generations, worked to produce and refine every type of grain, fruit, and flower, from primitive cultivation to sophisticated gardening. This lost continent is believed to be the origin of many of the world's cultivated plants.

Parallels with Other Cultures

The article draws parallels between the descriptions of Poseidon's temple and the Temple of the Sun God in Cuzco, built by the Inca people. Pizarro found the Cuzco temple to be a 'gold mine,' with statues and objects made of gold. The legend of Noah's Ark is compared to similar flood myths in ancient Mexican cultures, where a hero named Nata or Noe is mentioned. The Mandan Indians' reverence for an ark, which they call a 'great canoe,' is also noted.

Noak's ark was sealed with tar, and the world's largest asphalt lakes are found in the West Indies. The rainbow, as a sign of God's covenant not to flood the Earth again, is also present in Peruvian legends. Similarities are found in the practices of baptism, communion, mummification of the dead (like the Egyptians), and various customs related to childbirth among Mexican and other peoples.

Deities and Names

The Greek gods Pan and Maia are found in Central American mythology as Pan and Maya. The Welsh god Hu the Mighty is identified with the Quiche Indian deity Hu-Natu. Bel or Baal, worshipped in Europe, is also found among American Indian tribes. The great Egyptian sun god Ra is equated with the Peruvian sun god Ra-Mi.

The name 'Atlantis' itself is linked to Atlas, the first ruler of Atlantis, who gave his name to the Atlantic Ocean. The word 'Atl' in Mexican means water. The Atlas Mountains in Morocco and the city of Atlan in Central America are also mentioned. The Atlanteans are described as a people known to the Greeks and Romans, who settled on the northwest coast of Africa. The Aztecs of Central America are believed to have originated from a land called 'Aztland.' The author suggests a connection between these names and the lost land in the Atlantic.

Pyramids and Astronomical Systems

Both Mexicans and Egyptians built massive, similar stone monuments – pyramids – which are larger and more durable than other man-made structures. The pyramids of the New World are comparable in size, perhaps even grander, than the famous Egyptian pyramids. Both cultures possessed advanced astrological systems with exceptional scientific precision. However, neither culture shows signs of a childhood stage, and their art exhibits no archaic period. The rapid development of these civilizations, appearing suddenly among 'barbarian' peoples, suggests they were influenced by highly advanced individuals, possibly from Atlantis.

The 'Fair-Haired Stranger' and Lost Civilizations

The article discusses the myth of a fair-haired, blue-eyed, bearded stranger who emerged from the water and came from the east, bringing knowledge of agriculture, metalworking, weaving, and building. This divine figure, known by various names, taught people new laws and a new religion before returning to a paradise in the east. This legend is found among the Incas and Aztecs, who trace the founding of their empires to such a figure.

Eastern and Western Paradises

Peoples east of the Euphrates, who believed in Ea, the god of the ocean from the west, brought civilization to Assyria. The Egyptian legend of Osiris, who came to the dark-skinned Egyptians from the west, teaching them agriculture and architecture, and then returned to the islands of Sekhet-Aaru in the west, is presented as a parallel. These legends consistently refer to an antediluvian world, known as the Elysian Fields, the Garden of the Hesperides, or the Garden of Eden, located in the west, beyond the Pillars of Hercules, in the great ocean.

The concept of the underworld as the realm of the dead is also discussed. The author notes that this idea evolved relatively late, with the church's concept of hell influencing the meaning of an 'underworld.' Originally, it simply meant a world beyond the horizon.

The Atlantic Connection

The placement of the heavens in the east by American peoples and in the west by Mediterranean peoples is attributed to their geographical location between these two regions and a racial memory of the great, happy island that once lay in the Atlantic.

Conclusion

The issue concludes with the idea that the vast knowledge, peace, and prosperity brought by the 'divine stranger' to ancient peoples, along with their advanced civilizations, are remnants of the lost continent of Atlantis, buried beneath the waves. The author suggests that the common myths and legends across diverse cultures point to a shared, ancient origin, likely Atlantis, which influenced the development of human civilization worldwide.