Voyage to Atlantis
"The Arch". Uxmal. Mexico
Images of Mexico
©1996 by Edward Dawson
Used by Permission
Voyage to Atlantis
"The Arch". Uxmal. Mexico
Images of Mexico
©1996 by Edward Dawson
Used by Permission
| As you may have gathered, I have always had a fascination with the ancient civilizations of the world. These were highly complex societies that in some ways meet and surpass the achievements and knowledge of our own "modern"society. We are always discovering things that shed a new light on them. Recent discoveries include a huge burial complex from the time of Ramses in the Valley of the Kings in Egypt as well as the frozen remains of a little girl from the Inca empire in South America. Western society today is primarily based on the philosophical and political beliefs of the ancient societies of Greece and Rome, however, even they have strong influences from the ancient civilizations. |
| The ancient societies were highly organized societies.
Their governments were based largely on their religious beliefs, hence
the priestly class had an inordinate amount of power. Their societies were
organized along rigid lines that emphasized the higher intelligence or
ability of the nobility as a justification for their power. Diplomats and
a warrior class emerged with increasing trade and economic diversification,
thus changing the power structure. Many of these societies were primarily
agricultural though they developed into major urban centers. Democratic
society, in the Greco-Roman tradition, was a decisive break from a past
in which rulers were normally seen as earthly expressions of gods, though
the "divine right of kings " theory that was at the core of many
hereditary monarchies has survived well into the modern age. Complex languages and writing systems were developed. Though most of the writing systems based on heiroglyphics, like those of the Egyptians and the ancient Maya, are no longer in use, their spoken languages are often remarkably similar to the ones used today in various parts of the world. These societies produced significant achievements that often form the basis for our knowledge today. For example, at the time of Columbus the most advanced society in terms of astronomy and science was the Arabic culture. However, the discovery of the New World and the socities of the Maya and Inca uncovered a knowledge of the sciences that was every bit as advanced. Even today we marvel at the breadth of knowledge of these ancients. The calendric system of the ancient Maya, based on an impressive knowledge of astronomy, is as accurate as the Gregorian calendar used today. Likewise, the intricate art found throughout the ancient world continues to inspire awe. |
| A significant achievement was the extraordinary cities built by these ancient
societies, exhibiting architectural knowledge that continues to mystify
us. Equally amazing is the fact that these cities and structures were built
without the tools we have available today. Even then, it is doubtful that
we could reproduce many of these structures. The stones in the Inca cities
of South America are fitted so perfectly that in many cases it is impossible
to fit the blade of a knife between the stones. How was this done? How
is it that the Inca built Macchu Picchu in the highlands of Peru without
adequate means of transportation ? How is it that the Maya built their
cities out of the Central American rainforests without metal tools or wheels?
|
| One fascinating issue is the similaries between these
societies, which has led to theories that they were actually part of the
same unit at some point. There are theories that these were parts of the
lost continent of Atlantis as well as arguments that they were the creation
of alien beings (the Chariots of the Gods argument by von Daniken.) Societies
had to adapt their religion and economy to their environment. This explains
a great deal of how these societies flourished. The Egyptians built their
civilization in the arid Nile Delta, the Maya in the rainforests of Central
America and the Inca in the highlands of South America. Still, the often
uncanny similarities between the societies of the old world and the new
world raises the tempting idea that perhaps there was some form of contact
between them, though there is no evidence to date of such contact. Not
one article from the societies of Asia or Africa has ever been found in
Latin America that would convincingly show that there was actually trade
or any other form of contact between these societies. |
| Each society grows and flourishes with different environments
and influences. They flourish because they achieve a balance
between the needs of the society and the needs of its surrounding environment.
Development causes these needs to change, often dramatically. For example,
one of the important challenges of our society is to maintain the basis
for economic development without destroying the environment around us.
What balances were struck in these ancient societies? Is it reasonable
to argue that some of the reason for their eventual death was that new
challenges created such imbalance that the society no longer was viable
on some level? Over time many have argued that these ancient societies, though impressive in their own ways, were inherently inferior to ours. Why? One common argument has been that they were based on religious beliefs and practices that were pagan or barbaric. This shallow view, and the cultural chauvenism that goes with it offers little. In trying to understand and respect the ancient societies and their acheivements on their own terms we can perhaps gain a better appreciation of their contributions. We can also see the diversity and the truly awesome achievements of mankind. |
| The Maya World |
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Created on September 9, 1997
Last Updated-September 10, 1999
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