Keeping an Eye on the Goalposts

After the Hancock-Dibble debate on the Joe Rogan Experience in April (and indeed towards its end) Graham Hancock started to deny that he'd said a number of things about his hypothetical lost civilisation that it seems he had in fact claimed he had "evidence" for. Unpicking this gaslighting would require going through all of his writings to reference where he'd claimed this or that, and how those claims shifted. It seems to be that since his (Hapgood's and Donnolly's) basic source was Plato's text, it might be worth trying to extract from that text what Plato thought would be the archaeology that we would be looking for IDF he imagined this polity existed. To save time, and get a more "mechanical" and not subjective review, I asked the Grok AI programme: " Can you please take Plato's full description (https://www.ascendingpassage.com/plato-atlantis-timaeus.htm) of Atlantis and write me what the material culture would look like? What kind of economy did they have, what kind of tools would they  have used, did they mine and work metals? What other materials did they produce and use? Thanks".

Based on Plato's description in "Timaeus" and "Critias," here's an analysis of the material culture of Atlantis:

Economy:
• Agriculture: Atlantis was described as having fertile soil and abundant water sources, suggesting a strong agricultural economy. The use of irrigation systems ensured great harvests, indicating advanced agricultural practices for the time.

• Mining and Metallurgy: The Atlanteans mined and worked with various metals:
o Gold, Silver, and Copper: These were used extensively for decoration and possibly currency.
o Orichalcum: A mythical metal, described as being "second only to gold in value," was used in many constructions, suggesting a unique metallurgical skill or technology.

• Trade:
Atlantis was portrayed as having a naval power that extended its influence over other lands, implying a trade-based economy where goods like metals, timber, and possibly agricultural products were exchanged.

• Crafts and Manufacture:
The presence of sophisticated buildings, statues, and art indicates a skilled artisan class, likely involved in crafting luxury goods and tools from various materials.

Tools and Technology:
• Tools:
o Metal Tools: Atlantis would have had advanced metallurgical tools for mining, construction, and daily use. Tools made from copper, bronze, and possibly orichalcum could have included axes, chisels, hammers, and agricultural implements. o Stone Tools: For less specialized tasks, stone tools might still be in use for their durability in certain applications.

• Architecture and Engineering:
o The construction of temples, palaces, and the city's infrastructure would have required sophisticated engineering knowledge. This includes the use of pulleys, levers, and possibly primitive cranes for lifting heavy stones.
• Naval Technology: Given their naval prowess, they must have had advanced shipbuilding techniques, possibly including large, seaworthy vessels for both war and trade.

Materials Used:
• Stone: Various types for construction, from local to imported stones for different parts of buildings, indicating trade or expeditions for resources.
• Wood: Abundant forests provided timber for construction, shipbuilding, and possibly fuel.
• Metals: As mentioned, gold, silver, copper, and orichalcum were central to their material culture, used both functionally and decoratively.
• Ceramics: Likely used for everyday items like pottery for storage, cooking, and decoration.
• Textiles: Although not explicitly mentioned, one can infer from their advanced society that textiles would have been produced for clothing, sails, and other uses, possibly using wool, linen, or other natural fibers.
• Precious Stones: For adornment of buildings and personal jewelry, reflecting their wealth and craftsmanship.

Cultural Artifacts:
• Art: Statues, reliefs, and possibly paintings would adorn public and private spaces, showcasing their artistic achievements which might have included both realistic and mythical motifs.
• Weapons: Their military strength implies the production of weapons, likely bronze or copper weapons like swords, spears, and shields.
• Daily Life: Tools for farming, fishing, and household activities would be common, reflecting a well-rounded material culture that supported both luxury and necessity.

Plato's Atlantis, while likely allegorical, paints a picture of a society with a complex economy, advanced for its time, with a rich material culture centered around metalwork, agriculture, trade, and craftsmanship. This interpretation aligns with the descriptions found in Plato's dialogues, where Atlantis is depicted as both a military and cultural powerhouse before its moral decline.

That's what Grok thinks. Now Mr Hancock, you were saying....