"In 10,000 B.C. ocean water rose rapidly and covered the city of Murias, but not the
healing temple standing safely on a hill above it. For a considerable period of time the
ancient spa was visited by Irish, Egyptian, Greek, Phoenecian and Carthagenian sailors and
travelers. In 6,000 B.C. ocean levels climbed again. Simultaneously, earthquakes disrupted
the land, broke the retaining walls and toppled sections of the beautiful building as if
it were a glass toy. The once-magnificent structure with the remnants of its translucent
windows slowly disappeared from sight. Legends of the Island of the Ruin (of the temple)
and the rejuvenating powers of Murias continued to attract adventurers and explorers to
the area until the 16th century, when Ponce de Leon arrived searching for the Fountain of
Youth." (From Atlantis: Insights From a Lost Civilization, by Shirley Andrews, Page 132. More on Murias is at pages 129-131.) |