Archaeology of Mysteries
For several years now, there has been a proliferation of new studies and research on various aspects of the past, not always adequately considered, more or less intentionally, by traditional archaeology. Moreover, never before have we needed answers to questions like "Who are we? Where do we come from? Where are we going?" as much as in this period.
Throughout the world, artifacts and documents have been found that, if rigorously analyzed, could imply a necessary revision of all acquisitions in the field of historical archaeology concerning humankind. There are impressive architectural structures (such as the pyramids and temples of Egypt, the megaliths of Stonehenge in England, the statues of Easter Island, the remains of the city of Tiahuanaco in Bolivia, etc.) for which traditional theories fail to provide a reasonable explanation. Thus, new scholars, rebelling against the dogmas of traditional archaeological doctrine, have embarked on studies and research in this sector, which some have called Archaeology of Mysteries.
The methods of investigation have been diverse. Some have used rather questionable means such as hypnotic trance or clairvoyance, while others have followed more scientific methods without excluding the use of any tools that various disciplines of human knowledge could provide. New books have flooded the markets, and some of these have become true bestsellers.
Identifying common basic elements in these new theories, one can say that one of the main ones is as follows: our current global civilization was not the first on Earth; there was at least one other, if not technologically superior. This premise arises from the fact that the construction of certain buildings and other artifacts of the past required advanced means, perhaps even more advanced than those available in our current civilization. To move blocks weighing 200 tons and place them masterfully in position requires advanced technologies, not just good intentions and enthusiasm from people just emerging from the Stone Age. Many authors constantly cite myths such as Atlantis and Lemuria, ancient civilizations tragically disappeared following immense natural catastrophes.
Another element: myths, which have almost always been considered purely a product of human imagination, should instead be carefully considered and interpreted as potential accounts of events that actually occurred in remote epochs. This premise has been verified in the past during sensational archaeological discoveries; consider the mythical city of Troy found thanks to the persistence of H. Schliemann in western Turkey, the exact location where Homer in the Iliad had placed it. Or consider the ancient Indian cities of Harappa and Mohenjo Daro found right there in the Indus Valley, where ancient Sanskrit scriptures known as Rig-Veda said they were. Certainly, the language of myths is not always clear and sometimes needs to be deciphered; it is the result of cultural heritages and ways of feeling profoundly different from ours. However, the study of myths and their similarities worldwide can be a key to explaining many ancient "mysteries". Just think of the myth of the Universal Flood present among all peoples of the Earth.
It has long been observed that many ancient constructions are astronomically oriented. This element not only demonstrates that ancient peoples, such as the Egyptians, had an extremely advanced astronomical knowledge system, but also provides the basis for using tools from the discipline called Archaeoastronomy in investigation. Thus, once the will of the ancient builders to align their works with precise astronomical references is confirmed through historical-mythological examination, one can also determine a precise dating of the construction itself. Obviously, this involves extensive use of tools such as computers with astronomical software that can reconstruct a simulation of the skies in various epochs. Once the sky that matches the alignment of the construction planned by the ancients is found, one only needs to read the relative date.
For a long time, many books containing accounts and studies that can provide valuable information to the investigation have been forgotten in libraries worldwide. Many authors have literally combed through libraries, not only those, in search of writings that could shed light on the mysteries under study. This has resulted not only in the fact that the bibliographies attached to the works are almost always substantial, but it has often been noted that the formulation of certain concepts had already occurred in past historical epochs.
It is extremely necessary to maintain maximum openness of mind and avoid excluding certain hypotheses a priori that may prove to be valid following more in-depth investigation. Traditional doctrine is often reluctant to accept new theories that do not fit into the established knowledge system, especially if these new theories require a total revision of established concepts. Thus, even archaeological evidence put forward in support is often shelved, not considered, and sometimes ridiculed. Now, while it is good practice for every new theory to be rigorously scrutinized and verified before being incorporated into the doctrinal body of knowledge, it is also necessary for this to be done without prejudice and caste scruples.
It has long been found that almost all myths of peoples recount how the fundamental knowledge at the base of civilization (agriculture, animal husbandry, metallurgy, art, astronomy, law, etc.) were donated by gods coming from the sky. Many authors have hypothesized the visit, since ancient times, to Earth by evolved beings from other planets who appeared as gods to primitive terrestrial eyes. Obviously, given the scope, the hypothesis must still be rigorously verified; however, it certainly cannot be excluded a priori. After all, our civilization has also begun the exploration of the universe, and there are future projects for the colonization of nearby celestial bodies. It cannot be excluded that in the universe near us there are, or there have been in the past, intelligent beings capable of founding civilizations more advanced than ours, able to overcome great cosmic distances and colonize our planet. These concepts have given rise to a branch of research called Space Archaeology, which has fascinated and continues to attract numerous readers, placing the extraterrestrial hypothesis as the forefront of the explanation of the origin of civilization on Earth.
Other authors lean more towards an evolution, in very remote epochs, of indigenous civilizations on Earth that tragically disappeared following immense cataclysms. Survivors of such civilizations may have brought their knowledge to other surviving primitive populations, to whom they appeared as gods. This hypothesis, too, cannot be dismissed a priori. After all, when the Spanish conquistadors arrived among pre-Columbian populations, they were considered gods by them. Indeed, this can easily still occur today.
Consider a helicopter landing in a remote village in the Amazon among primitive indigenous people who have never seen anything like it: their myths would certainly speak for a long time of a thundering stone bird that gave birth from its belly to a deity called the "Passenger" capable of amazing wonders like driving away evil spirits from the sick by giving them a small thing called "aspirin with water", generating fire with a strange object called a "lighter", launching deadly lightning bolts with a thundering cane called a "rifle", and finally returning into the belly of the stone bird to return to the sky in the abode of the gods. It would probably also have its totem in the village, and the shamans would keep as sacred the precious objects given by the god "Passenger with the thundering cane".
The elements presented here are just some of the most frequent emerged in the genre literature. Many other peculiarities and fascinating hypotheses can be discovered by reading the vast existing bibliography. On the Internet, there have long been numerous interesting sites, more or less specialized, that passionate readers will appreciate as sources of updates and opportunities for useful exchange of ideas.
