Atlantis: The Lost Civilization

It is called "the lost city beneath the waves." Legend holds that somewhere, under the oceans, locked in time, is Atlantis, a highly developed civilization that sunk to the bottom of the sea in a day and a night. Ancient Mysteries plunges into the enigma of Atlantis to search for traces of this mystical city. With the help of Atlantis scholars, this program explores possible locations and examines the Atlantians themselves, who were said to live in a state of euphoric peace. Did the city once described by the Greek philosopher Plato as "a utopia" really exist? Atlantis: The Lost Civilization would be useful for classes on World History, Ancient History, Mythology, Archeology, Anthropology and Cultural History. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.

• antediluvian
• antiquity
• asunder
• cataclysmic
• clairvoyance
• clamor
• elaborate
• enigmatic
• folklore
• juxtapose
• legendary
• mesmerize
• meticulous
• obliterate
• oblivion
• obscured
• pictograph
• portentous
• sinister
• tangible
• tantalize
• uncanny
• utopia
• virtue

1. The legend of Atlantis has endured for thousands of years and captivated the interest of scholars and laypersons alike. What are the origins of the myth of Atlantis? Why has this myth endured and interested people for so long?

2. Atlantians supposedly lived a utopian lifestyle until they became "humanized." Discuss the humanization of the Atlantians and how it might have ended their utopian existence.

3. While many believe Atlantis existed, there is still no concrete evidence that it ever did. Could the legend of Atlantis be a parable with a moral message?

4. Why are scholars and archeologists so eager to find Atlantis or prove that it did exist?

5. Discuss the differences between legends, myths and facts.

6. Archeologists are scholars whose work seeks to uncover the past, figuratively and literally. How do archeologists go about this task? Why are their discoveries and research so important to us?

7. What are or were some of the theories of were Atlantis was located? What supports these theories, or, discredits them?

8. Using the information from Atlantis: The Lost Civilization, discuss whether or not you think Atlantis ever existed.

1. Many ancient cultures' first forms of writing used pictographs. Write a story using your own language of pictographs.

2. Imagine that you are an archeologist from the future and you discover artifacts from our time and culture. Create a profile or theory of our culture from your discoveries.

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