Name: .......................................................... Class: .................... Date: ........ /....... /.......

Everyone has heard about one of the history’s great mysteries: the “lost”
civilization of Atlantis. It has been intriguing us since the time of Plato, who wrote
about an advanced society of canals, fountains, and tunnels, with walls encrusted of
gems and precious metals.
In the 19th century, speculations about the existence of Atlantis grew when it
was theorized that Plato’s writings on this lost civilization were in fact a reference
to a natural disaster. Volcanic eruptions and tsunamis were not unfamiliar; it was
thought that a natural disaster destroyed the Greek island of Rhodes and its
legendary Colossus – the huge statue that stood at the harbor, considered to be one
of the seven ancient wonders of the world.
It was about this same time that the flourishing Minoan culture, centered on
the Greek island of Crete, began its decline, and some theorize that this was also
due to a cataclysmic event, perhaps even the same one. Although debated, it is
hypothesized that both these events destroyed life on the island, and created the
spectacular landscape that we see today, with its large watery caldera and rugged
cliffs.
The excavations at Akrotiri, at the island’s southern end, are of as much
interest to believers in Atlantis as to those who come for rest and relaxation. In the
dusty steps and lintels, in the pots and shards, we can see for ourselves the proof of
ancient life; that people lived here and were going about their business when tragedy
struck. Archaeologists say that this was the site of a large and highly-cultured
Bronze Age civilization.
The 2004 Boxing Day tsunami has helped us to better understand natural
catastrophes of a size we had never before seen but had heard about in legend. It
has now become easier to reflect on the final days of ancient peoples – Atlantians,
Minoans, and others. In doing so, it seems that a mystery has been revealed to us, in
out better understanding of what might have happened on the island of Santorini
3500 years ago. But…was it only Plato’s legendary Atlantis?
Answer these questions.

1. Why is the lost civilization of Atlantis one of history’s great mysteries?

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2. What was in common between the two Greek islands: Rhodes and Crete?
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3. In what way does the 2004 tsunami make the legend of Atlantis more
credible?
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4. Summarize in a few sentences what the writer is trying to convey to you

through this piece of writing.
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Read the clues and complete the crossword puzzle with words from the passage.

2 5

   

   

   

6                      

   

1                    

     

8                        

  4    

  3                  

   

  9                          

   

   

10                    

7                    

Across: Down:
1. The largest and most important city in a region 2. Prospering, developing successfully
3. Arousing one's interest or curiosity 4. Covered with
6. Impressive, dramatic 5. Guess of what might happen
7. Assumed 1. Something unpleasant, unlucky
8. Disastrous
9. People who study societies/peoples of the past
10. People who design buildings