Summary

The lost city of Atlantis has fascinated historians, archaeologists, and conspiracy theorists for centuries. While mainstream archaeology dismisses Atlantis as a myth, researchers like Graham Hancock and Randall Carlson argue that there is compelling evidence for an advanced ancient civilization that was wiped out by a cataclysmic event. They propose that this civilization, which may have inspired the Atlantis legend, possessed knowledge and technology far beyond what is traditionally attributed to ancient humans. Their theories challenge conventional timelines of human history and suggest that a global cataclysm, such as a comet impact, reset civilization around 12,000 years ago.

Background

The story of Atlantis originates from the works of the ancient Greek philosopher Plato, who described it as a powerful and technologically advanced civilization that sank into the ocean “in a single day and night of misfortune.” While most scholars consider Plato’s account to be allegorical, Hancock and Carlson argue that it may be based on a real historical event. They point to geological, archaeological, and mythological evidence to support their claims, suggesting that a global cataclysm—possibly linked to the Younger Dryas period (around 10,800 BCE)—wiped out an advanced prehistoric civilization.

The Conspiracy

Hancock and Carlson’s theories revolve around several key points:

1. The Younger Dryas Impact Hypothesis

Hancock and Carlson are prominent proponents of the Younger Dryas Impact Hypothesis, which suggests that a comet or asteroid struck Earth around 12,800 years ago, triggering a mini-ice age and catastrophic flooding. They argue that this event wiped out an advanced civilization and reset human history. Evidence for this hypothesis includes:

• Nanodiamonds and Microspherules: Tiny diamonds and glass-like particles found in sediment layers dating to the Younger Dryas period, which are consistent with high-impact events.
• Global Flood Myths: Many ancient cultures, from the Sumerians to the Maya, have flood myths that describe a cataclysmic deluge, suggesting a shared memory of this event.
• Geological Anomalies: Features like the Carolina Bays in the southeastern United States, which some researchers believe were formed by a comet impact.

2. Advanced Prehistoric Civilization

Hancock and Carlson argue that before the cataclysm, an advanced civilization existed with knowledge of astronomy, architecture, and engineering. They point to sites like:

• Göbekli Tepe: A 12,000-year-old archaeological site in Turkey featuring massive stone pillars carved with intricate designs. Hancock argues that this site, built by hunter-gatherers according to mainstream archaeology, is evidence of a more advanced society.
• The Sphinx and Pyramids of Giza: Hancock suggests that these structures may be far older than traditionally believed, with evidence of water erosion on the Sphinx indicating a much wetter climate, possibly dating back to the Younger Dryas period.

3. Suppression of Evidence

Hancock and Carlson claim that mainstream archaeology and academia have suppressed or ignored evidence that challenges the conventional timeline of human history. They argue that this is due to a combination of institutional inertia, funding biases, and a reluctance to accept radical new ideas.

Evidence

For the Conspiracy Theory

• Geological Evidence: The presence of nanodiamonds, microspherules, and other impact markers in Younger Dryas sediment layers supports the idea of a catastrophic event.
• Archaeological Sites: Sites like Göbekli Tepe and the Sphinx show signs of advanced knowledge and craftsmanship that seem out of place for their supposed time periods.
• Global Myths: The widespread presence of flood myths in ancient cultures suggests a shared memory of a cataclysmic event.

Against the Conspiracy Theory

• Lack of Direct Evidence: There is no direct evidence of an advanced civilization like Atlantis. Most of the evidence is circumstantial and open to interpretation.
• Alternative Explanations: Mainstream archaeologists argue that sites like Göbekli Tepe can be explained within the context of hunter-gatherer societies and that the Sphinx’s erosion patterns may have other causes.
• Plato’s Allegory: Many scholars believe that Plato’s account of Atlantis was a philosophical allegory rather than a historical record.

Analysis

The Atlantis theories proposed by Hancock and Carlson challenge our understanding of human history and the origins of civilization. While their ideas are controversial, they have sparked important debates about the possibility of lost advanced civilizations and the role of cataclysmic events in shaping human history. Whether or not Atlantis existed, their work highlights the need for open-mindedness and interdisciplinary research in archaeology and geology.

Sources

• Fingerprints of the Gods by Graham Hancock
• Magicians of the Gods by Graham Hancock
• Randall Carlson’s lectures and interviews on the Younger Dryas Impact Hypothesis
• Joe Rogan Experience #961 – Graham Hancock & Randall Carlson

Related Theories

• Ancient Astronauts: Theories that extraterrestrials visited Earth and influenced ancient civilizations.
• Lost Civilizations: Claims of other advanced prehistoric societies, such as Lemuria or Mu.
• Cataclysmic Events: Theories about global disasters that have reset human civilization, such as the Great Flood or pole shifts.