Independent Researchers Claim Discovery of Atlantis in the Bay of Cádiz

A team of independent researchers, spearheaded by filmmaker Michael Donnellan of Ingenio Films, has put forth a compelling assertion: they believe they have located the remnants of the mythical city of Atlantis within the Bay of Cádiz, situated just west of the Strait of Gibraltar. As of November 20, 2025, the group is basing its conclusions on structural evidence, dating estimates reaching approximately 11,000 years old, and geological indicators suggesting a catastrophic inundation event. It is important to note that these claims have yet to receive formal verification from the broader archaeological community.

Donnellan’s investigative unit employed cutting-edge technology, specifically utilizing LiDAR and multibeam sonar, to meticulously map roughly 11.6 square miles of submerged ruins alongside the adjacent coastline. They posit that the discovered stone formations—some walls reportedly standing 23 feet high and measuring 6.5 feet thick—date back to a period between 10,000 and 12,000 years ago. Donnellan maintains that these findings align precisely with the descriptions Plato provided in his classical writings. Further supporting the theory of a cataclysm, the researchers point to chaotic, non-stratified sediment deposits covering the ruins, which they link to potential tectonic activity along the Azores-Gibraltar Fracture Zone.

The research effort incorporated expertise from several specialists, including Juan Antonio Morales, a Professor of Stratigraphy at the University of Huelva and the President of the Geological Society of Spain, alongside anthropologist José Orihuela. Professor Morales, whose work focuses heavily on the coastal geology of Huelva and Cádiz, had previously stated that there was no evidence of human activity in the area, attributing coastal formations instead to natural geological processes. Conversely, Orihuela found it reasonable to consider the Atlantis narrative as potentially echoing the existence of a significant Neolithic megalithic phenomenon across Western Europe during the Holocene epoch.

Donnellan’s extensive work, which has involved over 200 dives across the last decade, is documented in the documentary series “Atlantica,” which premiered in October 2025. The Los Angeles-based Ingenio Films, which maintains operational offices in England, Spain, and Italy, asserts that their discovery represents the culmination of nearly ten years of dedicated investigation, drawing upon the knowledge of various experts, geologists, and academics. They claim to have identified every structure mentioned by Plato in his dialogues, “Timaeus” and “Critias.” The estimated age of 11,000 years for the site correlates closely with the end date of the megalithic period in Western Europe, which concluded around 11,720 years ago.

The current buzz surrounding this discovery is amplified by the distribution release of the documentary “Atlantica” following its successful screening at the South International Series Festival. While established academics, such as Professor Morales, tend to emphasize natural geological explanations for the formations, Donnellan and his team stand firm. They argue that the structures are unequivocally man-made, citing data collected as recently as 2022 following a major storm that exposed distinct, rectangular formations. This clash—between the technologically supported claims of this independent group and prevailing academic interpretations—only serves to deepen the enduring fascination surrounding the Atlantis myth.