Is the house of history built on foundations of sand? | Graham Hancock | TEDxReading
TLDRIn this presentation, Graham Hancock explores the possibility of a lost advanced civilization predating known history, potentially destroyed by a global cataclysm. He discusses evidence suggesting a cosmic impact around 12,800 years ago, correlating with the mysterious 'Younger Dryas' period and Plato's account of Atlantis. Hancock also highlights Göbekli Tepe's early date and the Sphinx's potential age, challenging conventional timelines and proposing that our understanding of civilization's origins may be flawed.
Takeaways
- 🌟 The script discusses the possibility of a lost advanced civilization existing in prehistoric times, possibly destroyed by a global cataclysm.
- 🗺 Plato's story of Atlantis is presented as an archetype of a highly advanced civilization that was wiped out by a catastrophic event, with parallels drawn to modern technological societies.
- 🔍 The 'House of History' built by historians and archaeologists is challenged by new scientific evidence suggesting a recent global cataclysm that could have erased evidence of such a civilization.
- 🌌 Evidence from the 'Younger Dryas' period (20,800 to 11,600 years ago) points to an extinction-level event that coincides with the cataclysm described by Plato for Atlantis.
- 💥 The KT Boundary event 65 million years ago, which wiped out the dinosaurs, is used as a precedent for how cataclysmic events can reshape life on Earth and lead to new dominant species, such as humans.
- 🕵️♂️ A team of scientists led by Jim Kennett and others have found evidence of a cosmic impact 12,800 years ago, which caused a sudden drop in global temperatures and is associated with the 'black mat' layer.
- 🌐 The Younger Dryas impact is suggested to have caused a dramatic change in climate by disrupting the Gulf Stream with meltwater from the North American ice cap.
- 🔥 The end of the Younger Dryas 11,600 years ago is theorized to have been caused by a comet impact in the ocean, leading to a rapid warming and the collapse of ice caps.
- 🏺 The date of the end of the Younger Dryas coincides with Plato's date for the destruction of Atlantis and the emergence of agriculture and megalithic architecture at Göbekli Tepe.
- 🦁 The Sphinx of Giza and submerged megalithic sites suggest that our understanding of ancient history may be flawed, and there may be much older structures and civilizations than currently recognized.
- 🤔 The script concludes by suggesting that our current historical narrative may be incomplete or incorrect due to the potential impact of the Younger Dryas event on human civilization.
Q & A
What is the main topic of discussion presented by Graham Hancock in the transcript?
-The main topic is the possibility of a lost advanced civilization existing in prehistory, potentially destroyed by a global cataclysm, and the connection of this idea to the story of Atlantis and recent scientific findings.
What does Graham Hancock suggest about the story of Atlantis as told by Plato?
-Hancock suggests that the story of Atlantis, as described by Plato, may not be a fabrication but could represent a historical event, with Atlantis being an advanced civilization that was destroyed by a cataclysm.
What is the 'House of History' as referred to by Graham Hancock?
-The 'House of History' is a metaphor for the traditional historical timelines constructed by historians and archaeologists, which show a slow and steady evolutionary progress of human civilization without room for advanced prehistoric civilizations or cataclysms.
What scientific evidence is Hancock referring to that challenges the 'House of History'?
-Hancock refers to new scientific evidence that points to an extinction-level global cataclysm occurring between 20,800 and 11,600 years ago, which has not yet been fully considered by historians and archaeologists.
What is the significance of the 'Younger Dryas' period mentioned in the script?
-The 'Younger Dryas' is a period of extreme and anomalous cold that lasted from approximately 20,800 to 11,600 years ago. Hancock suggests that this period may be connected to the cataclysm that destroyed Atlantis and was caused by a cosmic impact.
What is the 'black mat' and why is it significant?
-The 'black mat' is a layer of ash and soot found at the Younger Dryas boundary, distributed across a vast area and filled with impact proxies similar to those found at the KT Boundary. It is significant because it suggests a cosmic impact event that could be linked to the cataclysm described by Plato.
What evidence supports the theory that a cosmic impact event occurred 12,800 years ago?
-The evidence includes impact proxies such as nanodiamonds, high-temperature impact melt products, and a layer rich in iridium, carbon microspheres, and other minerals subjected to extreme temperatures, as well as the identification of impact craters and the sudden global temperature drop.
Why did the impacts 12,800 years ago cause a worldwide plunge in temperatures?
-The best explanation is that the impacts released floods of icy meltwater from the North American ice cap, which flowed into the Atlantic Ocean and disrupted the Gulf Stream, leading to a sudden and dramatic cooling.
What is the connection between the end of the Younger Dryas and the destruction of Atlantis as suggested by Hancock?
-Hancock suggests that the end of the Younger Dryas, marked by a sudden rise in global temperatures and the date of Meltwater pulse 1B, coincides with the date Plato gives for the destruction of Atlantis, indicating a possible connection.
What is Göbekli Tepe and why is it significant in relation to the discussion of a lost civilization?
-Göbekli Tepe is an ancient megalithic site in Turkey that dates back to 11,600 years ago, making it significantly older than other known megalithic sites. Its existence suggests a transfer of advanced architectural and agricultural knowledge from a lost civilization.
What implications does Graham Hancock draw from the Sphinx of Giza and its potential age?
-Hancock suggests that the Sphinx may be much older than traditionally believed, potentially dating back to the time of the Younger Dryas cataclysm. This would support the idea of an older, advanced civilization that could have built both the Sphinx and Göbekli Tepe.
What conclusion does Hancock suggest regarding the origins of civilization based on the evidence presented?
-Hancock concludes that the traditional understanding of the origins of civilization may be flawed, as the evidence points to an extinction-level cataclysm and the existence of advanced civilizations much earlier than currently accepted by mainstream historians and archaeologists.
Outlines
🌌 The Lost Civilization Hypothesis
In this opening paragraph, Graham Hancock introduces the possibility of a lost civilization existing in prehistory, undetected by modern historians and archaeologists. He references Plato's account of Atlantis, a civilization with advanced technology and social structures that was destroyed by a global cataclysm. Hancock challenges the conventional timelines of history, suggesting that new scientific evidence may support the existence of such a cataclysm between 20,800 and 11,600 years ago, potentially linking it to the demise of Atlantis. He emphasizes the transformative impact of cataclysmic events on the course of life on Earth, drawing a parallel between the extinction of dinosaurs and the rise of mammals, hinting at the possibility that human civilization might have a similar hidden history.
🔍 The Younger Dryas Impact Hypothesis
This paragraph delves into the work of a group of scientists who propose that a cosmic event, similar to the KT extinction event that wiped out the dinosaurs, occurred during the Younger Dryas period, approximately 12,800 years ago. The evidence includes a 'black mat' layer of ash and soot with chemical signatures indicative of a massive cosmic impact. The scientists argue that this event caused a sudden drop in global temperatures and contributed to megafaunal extinctions. Despite criticism due to the lack of impact craters, recent discoveries of such craters have bolstered their case. The paragraph also discusses the abrupt end of the Younger Dryas period, suggesting a dramatic rise in temperatures and a possible connection to a disintegrating comet.
🕰 The Sudden End of the Younger Dryas and the Birth of Civilization
Hancock explores the theories surrounding the end of the Younger Dryas period, suggesting that a comet impact in the ocean could have caused a dramatic increase in global temperatures and a rapid melting of ice caps, leading to a significant rise in sea levels known as 'Meltwater pulse 1B'. This event, dated around 11,600 years ago, coincides with the date Plato provides for the destruction of Atlantis. Furthermore, this time frame is also significant for the emergence of agriculture and megalithic architecture, as evidenced by Göbekli Tepe in Turkey, which challenges the conventional narrative of the development of human civilization. Hancock suggests that the knowledge and skills exhibited at Göbekli Tepe may have been passed down from survivors of a lost civilization.
🏺 Reevaluating Our Understanding of History and Civilization
In the concluding paragraph, Hancock calls into question the established historical and archaeological narratives, proposing that the discovery of Göbekli Tepe and the evidence supporting an extinction-level cataclysm between 12,800 and 11,600 years ago may indicate that our understanding of the origins of civilization is flawed. He points to the Sphinx of Giza as another example of ancient structures that may be much older than currently believed, based on geological evidence of heavy rainfall during the Younger Dryas period. Hancock concludes by emphasizing the need to reassess our historical timelines and consider the possibility that advanced civilizations existed in the distant past, with their knowledge and skills potentially shaping the course of human history.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Lost Civilization
💡Cataclysm
💡Atlantis
💡Younger Dryas
💡Impact Proxies
💡Meltwater Pulse 1B
💡Göbekli Tepe
💡Megalithic Architecture
💡Sphinx of Giza
💡Extinction-Level Event
Highlights
The possibility of a lost civilization existing in prehistory, potentially wiped out by a global cataclysm.
Plato's story of Atlantis as an archetype for a lost advanced civilization with advanced technology and social organization.
Historians and archaeologists' skepticism towards the existence of Atlantis and accusations of archaeological fantasy.
The 'House of History' concept and its timelines suggesting a slow and steady evolutionary progress without room for advanced prehistoric civilizations.
New scientific evidence suggesting a recent global cataclysm between 20,800 and 11,600 years ago, challenging traditional timelines.
The connection between the newly discovered cataclysm and the one described by Plato that destroyed Atlantis.
The KT event and its impact on the evolution of life on Earth, turning dinosaurs into birds and shrews into humans.
The identification of 'impact proxies' such as iridium and nano diamonds as evidence of a cosmic impact.
The work of Jim Kennett and his team investigating the Younger Dryas period and its sudden temperature drop.
The discovery of the 'black mat' layer with impact proxies similar to the KT event, suggesting a cosmic impact 12,800 years ago.
The publication of the Younger Dryas impact team's findings in PNAS, indicating mainstream scientific support for their research.
The identification of multiple impact craters beyond the edge of the former ice cap, supporting the comet impact theory.
The hypothesis that the comet impact disrupted the Gulf Stream, causing a sudden cooling period known as the Younger Dryas.
The end of the Younger Dryas period with a dramatic rise in temperatures and the potential involvement of further comet fragments.
The correlation between the end of the Younger Dryas, the date of Meltwater pulse 1B, and Plato's date for the destruction of Atlantis.
The archaeological significance of Göbekli Tepe in Turkey as the oldest known megalithic site, suggesting a lost civilization with advanced knowledge.
The Sphinx of Giza's potential age being older than previously thought, supported by geological evidence of heavy rainfall.
The challenge to the traditional narrative of civilization's origins, suggesting that an advanced civilization may have existed before the Younger Dryas cataclysm.
The call for a reevaluation of our understanding of history and the origins of civilization in light of recent scientific discoveries.
Transcripts
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