Paper
Legends of the lost city The Future of the Past: Archaeology in the 21st Century Eberhard Zangger 285pp, Weidenfeld Eberhard Zangger explores our knowledge of the lands bordering the Mediterranean before the golden age of ancient Greece (yes, the title is a little misleading), and pushes the general thesis that archaeological orthodoxy currently has it all wrong. His first targets are catastrophist theories of cultural change in the region, ideas that have been widely disseminated in popular books and TV documentaries in recent years. For example, major upheavals in the Minoan civilisation of Crete around 1700BC, 1500BC and 1200BC – the latter marking the Mediterranean-wide transition from the Bronze Age to the Iron Age – have traditionally been ascribed to natural disasters. The culprits for the first and third are thought by many to have been major earthquakes (with perhaps climate change for the last), while the collapse of the New Palace civilisation in the middle of the second millennium BC is widely thought to have been caused by the eruption of the nearby volcanic island of Thera. Zangger disagrees with these explanations, and his counter-arguments are rather convincing. He can find little evidence for earthquake damage in the ruins of Minoan settlements and no evidence for the tsunami, or tidal wave, that supposedly inundated Crete as a result of the Theran eruption. What about the fallout of volcanic pumice and ash from Thera? Wouldn’t this have made life intolerable for the Minoans? Probably not, he argues. Ash deposits on Crete are nowhere more than five millimetres thick, and they seem to have been deposited only on the eastern tip of the island. Archaeological evidence also suggests that the Minoans collected and stored the pumice that fell on them during the eruption, hardly the actions of a people in the midst of a civilisa tion-busting natural catastrophe. If nature was not to blame for the periodic collapses in Minoan civilisation, what was? The proximate cause in most cases seems to have been fire. Earthquakes can start fires, as the residents of Kobi will attest, but it seems unlikely that toppled oil lamps could have wreaked such wholesale destruction. The same can be said for lightning. The most absorbing section of the book is a rehash of Zangger’s previously published speculations on the legend of Atlantis. Was Plato’s tale of the mighty island and its noble people based on a real place? If so, which? Suggested candidates, ranging from the serious to the crackpot, include Crete, Uppsala, Spitzbergen, the Canary Islands, the Bahamas, Iceland, Greenland, Mongolia, Bolivia, Australia, Antarctica and even Britain. (Perhaps the most likely provenance of the full tale – somewhere between Plato’s ears – is rarely considered by Atlantis enthusiasts.) Zangger believes with a passion that Atlantis was the city of Troy in present-day Turkey. One immediate objection to this idea is that Troy was not an island. But ancient Egyptian priests, from whom the Greek traveller Solon supposedly garnered the original tale, tended to refer to all the poorly known lands beyond their northern shores simply as “the islands”, so Troy cannot be discounted on this point. Another possible objection is that, according to Plato, the demise of Atlantis occurred 8,000 years before Solon’s visit to Egypt, long before any Mediterranean civilisations worthy of the name had come into existence. However, it now seems likely that Egyptian priests reckoned their history in lunar years – that is, months. Eight thousand months before Solon’s visit puts us squarely in the timeframe of Mycenean Greece and the Trojan war. Plato’s descriptions of Greek weaponry, armour and fortifications, and their excellence in art, handicrafts and writing, also suggest the same period in prehistory. Further, Troy was the only known enemy of Greece at this time, so Troy and Atlantis must have been the same place. Can this startling claim be true? Is Atlantis really to be found in western Turkey? Zangger argues a convincing case, but then he always does. Manfred Korfmann, on the other hand, an archaeologist who excavated at Troy for 15 years, maintains that Zangger’s conclusion is “completely out of the question”. And the philologist Dietrich Mannsperger thinks Zangger’s desire to excavate Atlantis is about as sensible as a desire to excavate Plato’s Republic. Who is right? Excitingly, archaeology in the 21st century may just yield the answer.
Другие работы по теме:
Revolutionary War 2 Essay Research Paper The
Revolutionary War 2 Essay, Research Paper The British lost and the Americans won the Revolutionary war. Though this is true there are arguments that the British lost the war more than the Americans won it. The Americans were under the control of the British and the Americans at first did not even have the intention of independence.
City Of Joy Essay Research Paper The
City Of Joy Essay, Research Paper The movie “City of Joy” was an excellent use of class time and it shows life in Calcutta very vividly. Life in Calcutta is described in detail and more vividly in the movie than in the textbook. “City of Joy” helped me in understanding the city of Calcutta and the country of India.
Persuasive Essay Gotham
’s City Cemetery Essay, Research Paper Constructing a cemetery is very useful for many reasons. People in Gotham City should construct a cemetery instead of a monument because people will use it, people will visit it and people will remember it. People in Gotham City need a cemetery than a monument. A cemetery will bring people happier.
Mycenaean Architecture Essay Research Paper Knossos is
Mycenaean Architecture Essay, Research Paper Knossos is the site of the most important and better known palace of Minoan civilization. According to tradition, it was the seat of the legendary king Minos. The Palace is also connected with thrilling legends, such as the myth of the Labyrinth with the Minotaur, and the story of Daidalos and Icaros.
Funeral Essay Research Paper Funeral
Funeral Essay, Research Paper Funeral Was there a specter at the funeral of local resident Mrs. Drablow? An unexplained sighting of a mysterious woman in black has fuelled local legends of
Manta Diablo Essay Research Paper Unfortunately this
Manta Diablo Essay, Research Paper Unfortunately this is the one they call Manta Diablo, the one in the La Paz legends. As they say in their legends, Manta Diablo one of the most fearless monsters that had ever walked this planet called earth. Manta Diablo thinks of himself of a normal Psychologist that walks the streets of La Paz everyday.
Peter And The Lost City Essay Research
Paper Peter and The Lost City BY ANGEL MENDOZA email me at a_coolguy56@yahoo pleasee Last year, Peter looked for a lost city. It was in the Amazon jungle. He didn’t fly. The plane
Sustainablity Essay Research Paper What is an
Sustainablity Essay, Research Paper What is an unsustainable city? An unsustainable city: Requires continual input of non-renewable resources uses renewable sources faster than the rate of renewal
Mr Essay Research Paper Kafka
Mr. Essay, Research Paper Kafka’s Perspective of the truth in Jim Naureckas’s, “A Conspiracy of Dunces: Right-Wing Distortion Goes Mainstream.” Kafka’s viewpoint on the truth of Prometheus is of skepticism. The structure of the essay is simple and concise, as it discusses the four legends concerning Prometheus.
The Haunted Trail Essay Research Paper Legends
The Haunted Trail Essay, Research Paper Legends The Haunted Trail Well, there was once like fifteen or twen’y years ago this kid, right. An’ this kid was like all f***ed up on like ?shrooms an’ acid an’ stuff. Kinda like ______. (Laughter) Anyway this night he got inna fight with his parents, an’ he like skitzed out an’ went nuts an’ ran out the back door of the house.
Greek Culture Essay Research Paper Greek culture
Greek Culture Essay, Research Paper Greek culture is a major force behind most of what we know today. In government the Greeks practiced pure democracy. The people were given the power to make decisions about their own city-states. Two important city-states were Athens and Sparta. The Athenian empire was created by Pericles who took pride in the beauty of their city.
Poem I Think About You Essay Research
Paper Sometimes when I think about how things could have been I can’t help but think about that day The way you looked so different, so sad When I think about it I want to die
The Lost Tribes Essay Research Paper The
The Lost Tribes Essay, Research Paper The Lost Tribes Following the death of Solomon in c. 937 B.C. his crown passed to his son, Rehoboam. Due to Rehoboam s rather tyranical rule revolution broke out against the House of David and the Kingdom of Palestine split in two. Of the twelve tribes of Israelites which Moses had led out of Eygpt, ten joined in the revolt while two remained loyal to Rehoboam.
Greece Government Essay Research Paper Government in
Greece Government Essay, Research Paper Government in Greece Our next stop on our journey through ancient Greece will describe the government of Greece to you. Ask yourself the following questions and read the answers to learn more about how ancient Greece was ruled and who made the laws that you would have followed.
Comparitive Essay Essay Research Paper There are
Comparitive Essay Essay, Research Paper There are many stories of survival. When I think of survival I think of two things, The movie, Never Cry Wolf, and the story, When the Legends Die. These two are stories of men who survived in the wild after many obtacles. They were both very different but they were still the same.
David And Legend Essay Research Paper The
David And Legend Essay, Research Paper The legend of David and Goliath is a very familiar one to many people. It is an oral legend that has been told from one generation to the next. It has been mostly assumed to be a fictional story. The question is how do we know it is fiction. This is the problem historians have when using the tool of oral bards or legends.
Poem Breaking Me Essay Research Paper Breaking
Poem: Breaking Me Essay, Research Paper Breaking Me Everyday, I see your face, I wish that you?d stayed Don?t even know what made you run away It?s just the way, that you play the game
Romeo And Juliet Tragedy Of A Family
Or A City? Essay, Research Paper Romeo and Juliet: Tragedy of A Family or A City? Is Romeo and Juliet’s death a tragedy of two families or a tragedy of a city? In the following quote, W. H. Auden says, “The tragedy of Romeo and
The Choking Doberman Essay Research Paper My
The Choking Doberman Essay, Research Paper My Analysis The Choking Doberman by Jan Harold Brunvand; is a collection of urban legends and their meanings and/or origins. It discusses various urban legends and there apparent meanings. Each chapter provides several versions of a single legend and several other related legends, along with Brunvand s synopsis of each and quotes from people he surveyed.
Ancient India 2
Ancient India – Religion Essay, Research Paper India has long been known as a very spiritual, religious heavy area of the world. In India, religion is a way of life. It is an integral part of the entire Indian tradition. For the majority of Indians, religion permeates every aspect of life, from common-place daily chores to education and politics.
Legends Of The Fall
— Literal Analysis Essay, Research Paper Legends of the Fall Legends of the Fall are a fictional drama/romance film by Edward Zwick. Set during World War 1 in the hills of Montana. The main setting was in the Ludlow ranch, where the author develops five particular characters: Colonel Ludlow, Alfred, Samuel, Tristan, and Susana.
The Little Girl Essay Research Paper Her
The Little Girl Essay, Research Paper Her parents never took young girls to church, Never spoke of his name, Never read her his words, Two non-beleivers walking lost in this world,
Angel City Essay Research Paper Angel
Angel City Essay, Research Paper ? Angel City? The most unique, magnificent, and extraordinary city that I would love to visit is the ?City of Angles?. Tucked away in the midst of our atmosphere, lies the beauty of having everlasting life, and dreams that come true. Baby- blue skies, and cotton candy clouds fills this entire city.
The Problems Of Mexico City Essay Research
Paper The Problems of Mexico City The principal problems now facing Mexico City are its overcrowding and overpopulation, its dangerous environment, its dwindling water supply, and its
The Real Arthur Essay Research Paper The
The Real Arthur Essay, Research Paper The Real King Arthur Arthur had been identified as the son of British king Uther Pendragon, who was the son of Constantine. Whatever else Arthur is, he is a composite figure of many different legends and beliefs. Some have even related his adventures to Greek mythology.
Chicago Essay Research Paper Chicago has been
Chicago Essay, Research Paper Chicago has been the fastest growing city of the world. The city of the Century is the name given to this historic city. It is a great city of the greatest people who devoted almost their whole life to this city. Jane Addams, Florence Kelley, Clarence Darrow, Mary McDowell, Thorstein Veblen, Albert Parsons, Ida B.
Essay On Legends Essay Research Paper Legends
Essay On Legends Essay, Research Paper Legends Essay Disney movies have always created various stories based upon legends. To name a few: ?Hercules?, ?Pocahontas,? and ?The Sword in the Stone.? The characters in these movies have shown various characteristics that possess values that are thought of as great, even years after this these films have been released.
When Legends Die Essay Research Paper Response
When Legends Die Essay, Research Paper Response to WLD Movie and Novel When the Legends die was very similar in the novel and in the motion picture. There were some differences, but most remained the same.
The Lost Generation Essay Research Paper THE
The Lost Generation Essay, Research Paper THE LOST GENERATION The lost generation has to be one of the saddest generation of people to have ever lived. They were destroyed not only physically, but also mentally and spiritually. The soldiers would have prefered to die because when they got back home from the war, they felt ?lost? and didn?t recognize anything.
Gps Essay Research Paper Describe how GPS
Gps Essay, Research Paper Describe how GPS works and how normal citizens have been able to use it to make their lives easier. GPS is a global positioning satellite that is used to show the exact position on earth that you are. This system is used in many ways. Many people in a new city use rental cars. These people will probably get lost.
When Legends Die By Hal Borland Essay
, Research Paper When the Legends Die In the book When the Legends Die by Hal Borland,Tom is influenced by many people.As his settings change, new people influence him to change his personality.The three main influences of Tom are his mother Bessie, Red Dillon and Mary Redmond.