The Atlantis cubits and stade resolved by high resolution satellite images of irrigation canals in the Altiplano, Bolivia.

Plato in his story of Atlantis relates that the plain was covered by a system of parallel canals at intervals of 100 "stades" with allotments whose size was 10 x 10 stades.

Study of the ringed mountain at Pampa Aullaags suggests that this stade might have been a unit of 165 feet (50.292 metres) and study of ancient canals of the Olmecs/Mayas in the Tabasco region of Mexico show regular blocks of irrigation canals in squares of 1650 feet, which would be similar to the 10 x 10 stade allotments described by Plato.

The 165 foot stade was a Sumerian measurement unit and consisted of 100 Sumerian cubits of 19.8" so each allotment of 10 stades had a side of 1,000 cubits.

In order to further confirm the use of Sumerian stades and cubits, this page examines some of the parallel canals found on the Bolivian Altiplano to the south of Oruro and it seems that some of the canals were set out in fixed distances apart, such as 300 cubits which is 3 stades of 165 feet.

The area is sparsley inhabted today but attempts are being made to re-introduce agriculture to the area and in many instances the old canals are being re-used today.


above, these adjacent plots on the Altiplano are 1650 and 1980 feet long respectively, making the one on the left equal to 1000 cubits and the one on the right 1200 cubits therefore equal in length to "standard" Atlantis plot and the "warriors plot".

altiplano canals image 1 distance 300 cubits
above, image 21, intended distance 495 feet is 300 cubits of 19.8"

altiplano canals image 22 distance 120 cubits
above, image 22, intended distance 198 feet is 120 cubits of 19.8"

altiplano canals image 23 distance 120 cubits
above, image 23, adjacent plot, intended distance 198 feet is 120 cubits of 19.8"

altiplano canals image 24 distance 150 cubits
above, image 24, intended distance 247.5 feet is 150 cubits of 19.8"

altiplano canals image 24 distance 150 cubits
above, image 25, adjacent plot, intended distance 247.5 feet is 150 cubits of 19.8"

altiplano canals image 26 distance 160 cubits
above, image 26, intended distance 264 feet is 160 cubits of 19.8"

altiplano canals image 27 distance 160 cubits
above, image 27, adjacent plot, intended distance 264 feet is 160 cubits of 19.8"

altiplano canals image 29 distance 300 cubits
above, image 29, intended distance 495 feet is 300 cubits of 19.8" which is 3 stades of 165 feet.

altiplano canals image 30 distance 300 cubits
above, image 30, adjacent plot, intended distance 495 feet is 300 cubits of 19.8" which is 3 stades of 165ft.

altiplano canals image 31 distance 300 cubits
above, image 31, the next adjacent plot to the south, intended distance 495 feet is 300 cubits of 19.8"

altiplano canals image 34 distance 300 cubits
above, image 34, intended distance 495 feet is 300 cubits of 19.8" which is 3 stades of 165 feet.

altiplano canals image 37 distance 120 cubits
above, image 37, intended distance 198 feet is 120 cubits of 19.8"

altiplano canals image 38 distance 120 cubits
above, image 30, adjacent plot, intended distance 198 feet is 120 cubits of 19.8"

altiplano canals image 29 distance 240 cubits
above, image 39, intended distance 396 feet is 240 cubits of 19.8"

altiplano canals image 40 distance 300 cubits
above, image 40, intended distance 495 feet is 300 cubits of 19.8"

altiplano canals image 40b distance 300 cubits
above, image 40b, closer magnification gives more accurate measurement, intended distance 495 feet is 300 cubits of 19.8"

altiplano canals image 44 distance 160 cubits
above, image 44, close magnification gives more accurate measurement, intended distance 264 feet is 160 cubits of 19.8"

Teotihuacan measuring unit
Click here for Teotihuacan measuring unit

Teotihuacan measuring unit at the citadel
Click here for citadel cubits, Teotihuacan measuring unit

Chichen Itza and El Castillo cubits
Click here for Chichen Itza and El Castillo cubits

Tiwanaku calendar
Click here Tiwanaku calendar

Atlantis Stade
Click here Atlantis Stade

Jim Allen, 6 June 2009
email webatlantis@hotmail.com


atlantisbolivia.org