The Hague University of Applied Sciences

Atlantis
This research paper is based on the question is the Lost Continent of Atlantis real
or is it a myth? Atlantis has engaged mankind to look for it from its inception between
423 and 428 B.C. The Greek philosopher Plato wrote it. There is an amazing amount of
controversy surrounding this one story more than that of Troy written by the Greek
scholar Homer. Atlantis if it does exist has been missing for thousands of years. The sub
questions that will be look at in this research paper is if Atlantis does exist and if it is ever
found would it have an effect on Europe as we know it? If there is an effect, would it be
culturally, socially, economically, or politically? Where is it?
Atlantis has mystified historians for years and subsequently created a lot of
opposing views. Caused by the opposing views there has been no definitive answer in
past research to central question but hopefully this paper sheds some new light on the
controversial topic. This paper is based on trying to answer the central question and the
last and most important sub question as stated in the preceding paragraph. The other sub
questions will also be a key aspect of the paper but not as much as the last one.
As mentioned previously the legend of Atlantis has mystified and enchanted
mankind for centuries that there are even songs and a movie about it. One song written
about is Atlantis by Donovan. Atlantis was a island, that laid in the great flood, in the
area we call the Atlantic Ocean. Those are the first three lines of Donovans song. So
great a land to the west that they travelled to the south and the North Americans with
east. The following two lines of Donavans song. Disney made a movie called Atlantis:
The Lost Continent.
The stance that this research paper takes is that Atlantis is real. Subsequently the
research will either prove or disprove the stance or hypothesis that is made in this paper.
However, it will be hard to prove or disprove the question or the hypothesis/stance
because of the lack of concrete evidence. The only evidence either way is for now at least
one hundred percent circumstantial. That is how controversial this topic of the lost
continent of Atlantis is and will most likely always be.

Method:
As this paper is not based on any scientific research no participants excluding the
author took part in this research. The materials that were used were basic sources of desk
research. The materials were online, e-journals and websites. The documentary that was
used the Lost World of Atlantis by BBC. It analyzed whether Atlantis really could have
existed or if it couldnt because of an archaeological dig that occurred in the early 1900s
on the Greek island of Crete. The findings of the dig were very similar of Atlantis as
described by Plato in his stories of the mysterious civilization and continent.
Another material that was used were websites. Websites such as ones based on
books and authors of the books. Other websites include papers published by educational
institutes based on Atlantis and its existence and its location. The final material that was
used to complete this research paper is e-journals e-books. E-journals and E-books are the
materials that have given the most insight in to this research paper.
The procedure is extremely complicated and time consuming. First, a general
search on Google was conducted. Which turned up hundreds upon hundreds of results.
However, the majority was excluded from this paper because they were irrelevant to the
central question and or the subsequent sub questions. Second a search on YouTube was
conducted which turned up which is briefly discussed in the first paragraph of this
section. There were other documentaries that were used but others were excluded because
of their inflamoty theories of Atlantis.
Finally. The digital library on the de haagse hogeschool (The Hague University of
Applied Sciences) was used. A search on e-journals category of the digital library turned
up three journals that play a minor part in this paper. The e-book category of the digital
library also plays a minor part in this research. Also used through the digital library was
the Google scholar, which narrowed the Atlantis search from the broad number of results
that appeared during the general search. Another feature that was used the simultaneous
search. Which searches the library and other search engines for results to the questions.

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Results:
As said in the introduction, there is no definitive proof when it comes to
whether, Atlantis is real or is it just a myth that Plato invented? The hundreds of theories
cause the opposing views to the question. Some theories are insanely implausible or
impossible and then there are those that seem rather possible and plausible. Some of the
theories that the research that was conducted turned up: The Myth theory, which means
that it never did exist but was, used a anecdote for a moral about corruption and greed of
politicians could have dire consequences. Then there is the alien theory (Atlanteans were
really extraterrestrials) another theory is that they nuked themselves. Another theory like
the myth theory on how it disappeared is that they did experience a cataclysmic natural
disasters or disasters.
Like wise there a lot of dispute about the exact location of Atlantis if in fact it
does or did at one point exist. The research conducted has also turned up many theories
about the location. Some of the theories that the research uncovered are that Atlantis was
on Crete, which means they were actually Minoans, which is the most plausible theory of
the location of the lost continent. Another theory of Atlantiss location stems from Platos
description of it being west of the Pillars of Hercules or more commonly known as the
Straight of Gibraltar. Another theory is that Atlantis is in the South China Sea, which is a
bit to far north. Other theories include it being in the South China Sea, South Pole, Brazil,
and Antarctica.
Of course if Atlantis is found it would have a large impact on Europe and the rest
of the world. It would not only have one effect but multiple effects. The results of the
research conducted have proved inconclusive on how or what type of effects it would
have on Europe or the rest of the world. Rest a shored tit would have a major effect or
effects.

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Discussion:
The results proved inconclusive because of the limited evidence that there is to
prove or disprove the hypothesis of this paper, which Atlantis is real. However, the
circumstantial proof that has been discovered by the research conducted that proves
Atlantis exists or at least once did is its effect on the media. By that I mean the
documentaries, movies, songs. For example Donovans song and Disneys movie that are
stated at the introduction of the paper. The circumstantial proof that disproves the
hypothesis taken in this paper is the different arguments on the central question and the
sub questions such as the location of Atlantis.
My recommendation for future researchers who decide they find the topic of
Atlantis interesting is that they read Platos original work on the topic also, watch the
documentaries by credible sources by the History or Discovery channel. Make sure not to
watch any documentary on the theory that Aliens created Atlantis or that the inhabitants
were aliens.

Conclusion:
Atlantis is the topic of this paper and it is important even though there is not
enough proof to support or disprove the hypothesis that it is real which is taken in this
paper its mind-boggled mankind for centuries since its inception. As stated a couple of
times in different sections of this paper there have been songs, movies and theories about
the lost continent of Atlantis. However, the opposing arguments of the existence and
location of Atlantis is a determine factor on the inconclusive results of this research paper
and prior papers. Its hard to recommend to future researchers on what more research has
to be done to find some sort of conclusive results in their paper

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Annotated Bibliography
Alford, Albert F., (6/10/14), The Atlantis Secret, Retrieved from
http://www.bibliotecapleyades.net/atlantida_mu/esp_atlantida_12.htm
This website was not really a good choice because of bias and its very opinioned.
However, the author that analyze all the theories of Atlantis. His analysis is subjective
rather than objective. He gives the facts but the website is focused and based on his
thoughts rather than the circumstantial evidence that there is either to prove or disproves
the existence of Atlantis. My advice to the reader if you do further research on Atlantis do
not use this website as a source.
(6/10/14), The Lost Continent of Atlantis, Retrieved from
www.unmuseum.mus.pa.us/atlantis.htm
This website was a rather good website it was primarily based on the limited
evidence there is on the topic. Which gave it a neutral (objective) view on the mystery
that is the lost continent of Atlantis rather than a subjective one. It discusses all the
arguments and gives valuable sub points, which make the arguments presented on the
page some credibility.

(6/10/14), The Lost Continent of Atlantis & Azores, Retrieved from

www.hasselberger.com/terceira/pages/atlantis-azores.html
This website was also very objective and gave a surprisingly probable theory of
the location of Atlantis. The theory that is stated on this website that Atlantis could or
could have been on the island of Azores because of the location of the Azores islands and
the description given by Plato himself. The website may seem subjective or even a poor
choice but as you read through it you realize its a pretty decent website for this type of
research topic.

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Method:

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