The myth of how Atlantis sank in the sea, and about the culture that disappeared as a result, kindles the fantasy. Often the myth is associated with an early, highly developed culture in the history of humankind. As an information source, myths are hard to interpret, and they leave a lot of latitude for different readings.

In this book, the author uses classic scientific methodology. He erects hypotheses and tests them. Sections of Plato's texts are referred to, and compared to archaeological data and geographical knowledge. The possibility of a documentary content in scriptures that are commonly considered mythological, is discussed and analyzed. A series of geographical circumstances indicate that some of these, which commonly are not considered of documentary value, nonetheless coincide well with the geography of Europe, if the changes during the millennia after the Ice Age are considered. We are reminded that large areas in the North Sea and other areas were drowned when the great ice sheets melted, something that a contemporary observer must have experienced as a sinking of the land.

The book highlights how myths can give clues, and that these - read in the right way - can give factual information. Not at least interesting are the parts in which the Irish cultural heritage, from the time we commonly refer to as the Stone Age, is described. Several of these monuments are at least as impressive as some of the classic ancient monuments. Archaeological data on these upwards of 7,000 years old monuments are presented, and their geographical position is compared to the content of preserved myths.

While this book on Atlantis will surely not be the last to discuss the myth, it will probably be deemed one of the most read-worthy, given that it is based on geographical and archaeological knowledge.

Prof. em. Wibjörn Karlén

Professor Emeritus in Physical Geography at Stockholm University.
Editor of Geografiska Annaler Serie A
Member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences