#449 – Graham Hancock: Lost Civilization of the Ice Age & Ancient Human History
Oct 16, 2024
auto_awesome
Graham Hancock, a seasoned journalist and author, dives into the mesmerizing concept of a lost Ice Age civilization. He discusses the significant archaeological site of Göbekli Tepe and its implications for our understanding of ancient societies. Hancock also links global myths to catastrophic events like the Younger Dryas, suggesting advanced navigation techniques of ancient peoples. His insights challenge mainstream archaeology, urging open-mindedness towards our complex human past, while reflecting on how celestial knowledge influenced ancient cultures.
Graham Hancock advocates for the exploration of a potential lost civilization that existed during the last Ice Age and faced destruction from a global cataclysm.
The podcast questions traditional archaeological narratives regarding the timeline of human evolution, particularly the sudden emergence of complex societies after long periods of gradual development.
Göbekli Tepe is highlighted as a crucial archaeological site that pre-dates known agricultural societies, indicating that advanced social structures existed much earlier than previously thought.
The Younger Dryas is discussed as a pivotal climate event potentially responsible for societal disruptions and the independent emergence of civilizations across different regions of the world.
The importance of shamanism in understanding early human consciousness and its influence on societal beliefs and practices is emphasized as a fundamental aspect of humanity's connection to the spiritual realm.
Deep dives
The Concept of a Lost Civilization
The idea of a lost civilization existing during the last Ice Age is explored, suggesting that this civilization could have influenced the development of what are considered the six cradles of civilization today. The theory posits that this advanced civilization faced destruction from a global cataclysm approximately 12,000 years ago. Archaeological timelines traditionally portray humanity as evolving gradually from hunter-gatherers to agricultural societies, yet this perspective raises questions about the sudden emergence of complex societies worldwide. By investigating humanity's past, the possibility that significant chapters remain undiscovered becomes an important aspect of the discussion.
Anomalies in Historical Timelines
Contradictions in the narrative of human history are highlighted, especially concerning the timeline of anatomically modern humans and their interactions with other hominids like Neanderthals. Despite existing evidence that anatomically modern humans existed over 300,000 years ago, there remains a gap of hundreds of thousands of years before civilizations began to emerge around 6,000 years ago. The questioning of why civilization did not develop sooner, and the linkage of these developments to significant events like the Younger Dryas, reveals a narrative inadequately explained by current mainstream archaeology. This anomaly invites further inquiry into our true historical origins.
Göbekli Tepe: A Turning Point
Göbekli Tepe serves as a pivotal archaeological site that challenges established narratives, being over 11,000 years old and predating known agricultural societies. Its complex megalithic structures suggest that societies were organizing and constructing monumental architecture long before the advent of agriculture. This discovery implies that advanced social structures and possibly knowledge from a lost civilization may have existed earlier than previously recognized. As excavations continue, Göbekli Tepe raises essential queries about the nature of early human societies and their capabilities.
The Younger Dryas and Cataclysms
The Younger Dryas is discussed as a significant climate event that resulted in environmental upheaval, coinciding with the extinction of various megafauna and may have impacted human populations. This climate fluctuation potentially caused substantial disruptions that hindered the development of civilizations immediately following the event. The Younger Dryas impact hypothesis suggests a cosmic cause behind this climatic event, which may have led to extensive societal losses. Understanding the Younger Dryas also illuminates why civilizations appeared to emerge independently and concurrently in disparate regions of the world.
Shamanism and Early Human Wisdom
The role of shamanism is explored as a foundational aspect of humanity's connection with the spiritual and natural worlds. It is posited that early shamans understood the importance of altered states of consciousness and how they could be attained through various means, including psychedelics. These explorations may have led to the early forms of science, with shamans acting as bridges between the physical and metaphysical. Shamanistic practices and beliefs could provide insights into early human civilizations and their motivations to explore existential questions such as life after death.
Consciousness and Its Mysteries
The nature of consciousness remains a central theme in exploring human history and identity, inviting questions about its origin and connection to the universe. The discussion posits that humans are vehicles for consciousness, and this perspective extends beyond physical form into the exploration of ideas such as dreams, hypothetical alien life, and artificial intelligence. This concept of consciousness raises existential discussions about the meaning of life and our relationship with the cosmos. Such inquiries challenge contemporary scientific dogmas and ask individuals to confront their own understanding of existence.
The War on Consciousness
Concerns are raised regarding societal restrictions on altered states of consciousness, such as through the prohibition of psychedelics and other substances. The conversation advocates for individual sovereignty over personal experiences and decisions regarding consciousness expansion, suggesting reforms in drug policy and a greater acceptance of variations in consciousness. By allowing exploration of these experiences, society may foster better understanding and empathy among individuals. The dialogue emphasizes that meaningful experiences leading to personal growth should not be limited by outdated laws and stigmas.
Exploration of Ancient Cultures
The dialogue highlights the importance of recognizing diverse ancient cultures that contributed to humanity's understanding of life, death, and the cosmos. There are numerous myths and spiritual beliefs that seem to resonate across disparate cultures, suggesting some underlying commonality regarding human experiences. The profound exploration of shared narratives across cultures strengthens the idea of a connected human heritage. This perspective may illuminate the legacies of ancient civilizations, which could hold lessons valuable for modern society.
Archaeology's Evolution
Reflecting on archaeology’s evolving role, the need for openness in the field is emphasized, advocating for interdisciplinary approaches that combine traditional archaeology with alternative perspectives. The conversation stresses the value of collaboration and exploration beyond established boundaries, especially to uncover narratives that may have been overlooked or dismissed. A reminder is made that human history and its complexities require inquiries that encourage diverse viewpoints and new discoveries. This practice could ultimately catalyze a richer understanding of our past and its implications for the future.
The Significance of Ancient Structures
The discussion delves into how ancient structures, like the Great Pyramids and Göbekli Tepe, serve as indicators of humanity's desire to connect with the cosmos and preserve knowledge for future generations. They reflect the sophisticated understanding ancient people had regarding astronomy, geometry, and social organization. These monumental creations pose questions about not only their construction methods but their purposes, meaning they may carry messages intended for later civilizations. Studying these structures opens a window into the aspirations and beliefs of our ancestors, reinforcing their relevance to contemporary inquiries.
Graham Hancock a journalist and author who for over 30 years has explored the controversial possibility that there existed a lost civilization during the last Ice Age, and that it was destroyed in a global cataclysm some 12,000 years ago. He is the presenter of the Netflix documentary series “Ancient Apocalypse”, the 2nd season of which has just been released.
Thank you for listening ❤ Check out our sponsors: https://lexfridman.com/sponsors/ep449-sc
See below for timestamps, and to give feedback, submit questions, contact Lex, etc.
OUTLINE:
(00:00) – Introduction
(09:58) – Lost Ice Age civilization
(17:03) – Göbekli Tepe
(29:07) – Early humans
(34:07) – Astronomical symbolism
(45:36) – Younger Dryas impact hypothesis
(1:03:55) – The Great Pyramid and the Sphinx of Giza
(1:24:29) – Sahara Desert and the Amazon rainforest
(1:33:49) – Response to critics
(1:57:56) – Panspermia
(2:05:22) – Shamanism
(2:29:22) – How the Great Pyramid was built
(2:36:41) – Mortality
