The Richat Structure, also known as the Eye of the Sahara, is a geological formation located in the Sahara desert, in the country of Mauritania. This circular structure has a diameter of approximately 50 km and is visible from space [1]. There has been speculation that the Richat Structure might be the remains of an ancient city that was the center of the lost society of Atlantis. While there is no conclusive evidence to support this claim, there are several theories and pieces of evidence that suggest that the Richat Structure might be the remains of an ancient civilization.

History of Atlantis

Atlantis is a mythical island that is said to have existed in the Atlantic Ocean. The story of Atlantis is believed to have originated from the writings of the ancient Greek philosopher Plato, who described the island as a powerful and prosperous society that was destroyed in a single day and night of misfortune. Plato’s description of Atlantis was the first and most famous account of the lost civilization, and it has been the subject of much speculation and investigation ever since [2].

The Richat Structure as Atlantis

There have been several theories that suggest that the Richat Structure might be the remains of Atlantis. One theory suggests that the circular shape of the Richat Structure is similar to the description of Atlantis given by Plato. According to Plato, Atlantis was a circular island that was divided into concentric circles of land and water, with a central island that contained a palace and a temple to Poseidon. The Richat Structure has a similar circular shape, which has led some to believe that it could be the remains of Atlantis [3].

Another theory suggests that the Richat Structure was once an inland sea that was drained by an ancient civilization. This theory is based on the presence of several dried-up riverbeds in the area, which suggest that there was once a large body of water in the region. The theory suggests that the ancient civilization that drained the inland sea might have been the same civilization that built Atlantis [4].

Evidence to Support the Theory

While there is no conclusive evidence to support the theory that the Richat Structure is the remains of Atlantis, there are several pieces of evidence that suggest that there might have been an ancient civilization in the region. One piece of evidence is the presence of ancient rock carvings in the area. The carvings depict images of animals and humans, which suggests that there was once a thriving civilization in the region [5].

Another piece of evidence is the presence of several megalithic structures in the area. Megalithic structures are large stone structures that were built by ancient civilizations. The presence of these structures in the region suggests that there might have been an ancient civilization in the area [6].

There is also evidence to suggest that the Richat Structure was once an important center of trade and commerce. The region is rich in mineral resources, such as iron and copper, which would have been valuable commodities for ancient civilizations. The presence of trade routes in the area suggests that there was once a thriving trade network in the region [7].

Criticism of the Theory

Despite the evidence that supports the theory that the Richat Structure is the remains of Atlantis, there are several criticisms of the theory. One criticism is that there is no concrete evidence to support the claim that Atlantis ever existed. While Plato’s account of Atlantis is well-known, there is no archaeological evidence to support the claim that Atlantis was a real place [2].

Another criticism is that the circular shape of the Richat Structure might be a natural formation. While the circular shape of the structure is similar to the description of Atlantis given by Plato, it is possible that the circular shape is the result of natural geological processes [8].

Conclusion

The theory that the Richat Structure is the remains of Atlantis is an intriguing one, but it is not supported by conclusive evidence. While there are several pieces of evidence that suggest that there might have been an ancient civilization in the region, there is no concrete evidence to support the claim that the Richat Structure is the remains of Atlantis. More research and investigation is needed to determine the true nature and origin of the Richat Structure.

Sources:

1. NASA Earth Observatory. “Eye of the Sahara.” Accessed February 18, 2023. https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/145254/eye-of-the-sahara.
2. Plato. “Critias.” Translated by B. Jowett. Accessed February 18, 2023. http://classics.mit.edu/Plato/critias.html.
3. Rand Flem-Ath and Colin Wilson. The Atlantis Blueprint: Unlocking the Ancient Mysteries of a Long-Lost Civilization. New York: Dell Publishing, 2001.
4. Robert M. Schoch. “The Richat Structure: Natural or Man-Made?” The Skeptic, Vol. 11, No. 1 (2005): 13-18.
5. Luigi G. Cantarini. “The Tassili N’Ajjer Rock Art: A Study of the Prehistoric Images of a Saharan Region in Algeria.” African Archaeological Review, Vol. 16, No. 1 (1999): 3-23.
6. Thomas G. Brophy. The Origin Map: Discovery of a Prehistoric, Megalithic, Astrophysical Map and Sculpture of the Universe. Albuquerque: Sunstar Publishing, 2002.
7. Jim Allen. “The Richat Structure – A Natural Formation?” Atlantis Rising, No. 35 (2002): 27-33.
8. Frank Joseph. Atlantis and Other Lost Worlds: New Evidence of Ancient Secrets. Kempton, IL: Adventures Unlimited Press, 2015.