A Brief History
On an unknown date, about the mid 2nd Millennium BC, the ancient world was rocked by one of the largest volcanic eruptions and explosions in Human history.
Digging Deeper
The Island of Thera, also known as Santorini was populated by people of the Minoan culture, located in the Aegean Sea north of Crete. The volcanic event was so large, that much of the island collapsed into the sea, killing virtually all inhabitants in that area and devastating nearby islands as well.
For perspective, the Minoan Eruption was about 4 times larger than the Eruption and Explosion of Krakatoa in 1883, although the eruptions at Tambora (1815), Lake Taupe (190 AD), and Baekdu Mountain (970 AD) might have been larger.
Chinese records cite a volcanic winter around 1600 BC that would seem to coincide with the Minoan Eruption, but no Egyptian records acknowledge the event, but heavy rains leading to flooding at the time may have been caused by the climatic effect of volcanic ash in the atmosphere.
The Greek tradition of the island of Atlantis, as related by Plato, may have been based on the Island of Santorini/Thera and its sad fate, although researchers cannot yet be sure if there is any connection. The timing of the Minoan Eruption could well coincide with the events of the Exodus of the Jews from Egypt, but again, without scientific agreement on the subject.
If you liked this article and would like to receive notification of new articles, please feel welcome to subscribe to History and Headlines by entering your email address at the top right of this page or like us on Facebook.
Your readership is much appreciated!
Historical Evidence
For more information, please see…
Warburton, David. Time’s Up! Dating the Minoan Eruption of Santorini: Acts of the Minoan Eruption Chronology Workshop, Sandbjerg, November 2007. Aarhus University Press, 2009.
You can also watch a video version of this article on YouTube:
