Man himself was responsible now for the wonder of Santorini

[flowersophy]

Hi,

Does "Man himself was responsible now for the wonder of Santorini." means "Man himself in the past was responsible for today's wonder of Santorini"?

Long ago the gods destroyed the men living here, even as long ago men destroyed the gods. Man himself was responsible now for the wonder of Santorini.
(Quoted from High Seas Drifters: Cruise Confidential 4 by Brian David Bruns)

Many thanks!

 

[PaulQ]

Man himself was responsible now for the wonder of Santorini. = From that point onwards, mankind had become, and still remains, responsible for the wonder of Santorini.

 

[flowersophy]

Man himself was responsible now for the wonder of Santorini. = Mankind had, from that point onwards, become, and still remains, responsible for the wonder of Santorini.

I see. Thank you for your quick reply, PaulQ!