At any moment, humanity can disappear, if not all, then part of it. This has happened before, and entire civilizations have disappeared as a result of wars, epidemics, climate change, military incursions or volcanic eruptions. Although in most cases, the reasons remain mysterious. We offer an overview of 10 civilizations that mysteriously disappeared thousands of years ago.
Clovis
Time of existence:
11500 BC e.
Territory:
North America
Little is known about the Clovis culture, the prehistoric culture of the Stone Age tribes who inhabited North America at the time. The name of the culture comes from the Clovis archaeological site, located near the city of Clovis, New Mexico. Among the archaeological finds found here in the 20s of the last century, one can name stone and bone knives, etc. Probably, these people came from Siberia through the Bereng Strait to Alaska at the end of the Ice Age. Nobody knows if this was the first culture in North America or not. The Clovis culture disappeared as suddenly as it appeared. Perhaps the members of this culture were assimilated with other tribes.
Trypillian culture
Time of existence:
5500 - 2750 BC e.
Territory:
Ukraine Moldova and Romania
The largest settlements in Europe during the Neolithic period were built by representatives of the Trypillian culture, whose area was the territories of modern Ukraine, Romania and Moldova. The civilization numbered about 15,000 people and is known for its pottery, the fact that they burned their old settlements, having lived in them for 60-80 years, before building new ones. Today, about 3,000 settlements of Trypillians are known, who had matriarchy, and they worshiped the mother goddess of the clan. Their disappearance may have occurred as a result of dramatic climate change, resulting in drought and famine. According to other scholars, the Trypillians assimilated among other tribes.
Indian civilization
Time of existence:
3300-1300 BC e.
Territory:
Pakistan
The Indian civilization was one of the most numerous and significant in the territory of modern Pakistan and India, but, unfortunately, little is known about it. It is only known that representatives of the Indian civilization built hundreds of cities and villages. Each of the cities had a sewerage system and a cleaning system. The civilization was non-class, not militant, because it did not even have its own army, but it was interested in astronomy and agriculture. It was the first civilization to produce cotton fabrics and clothing. Civilization disappeared 4500 years ago, and no one knew about its existence until the ruins of ancient cities were discovered in the 1920s. Scientists have put forward several theories regarding the reasons for the disappearance, including climate change, a sharp temperature drop from frost to extreme heat. According to another theory, the Aryans destroyed civilization by attacking in 1500 BC. e.
Minoan civilization
Time of existence:
3000-630 BC
Territory:
Crete
The existence of the Minoan civilization was not known until the beginning of the 20th century, but then it was found out that the civilization existed for 7000 years and reached its peak of development by 1600 BC. e. For many centuries, palaces were built, completed and rebuilt, forming whole complexes. An example of such complexes can be called the palaces in Knossos, this is a labyrinth with which the legend of the Minotaur and King Minos is associated. Today it is an important archaeological center. The first Minoans used Linear A in Crete, which was later replaced by Linear B, both of which were based on hieroglyphics. It is believed that the Minoan civilization perished as a result of a volcanic eruption on the island of Tera (Santorini island). It is believed that people would have survived if the eruption had not killed the vegetation and famine. The Minoan fleet was dilapidated and the trade-based economy was in decline. According to another version, the civilization disappeared as a result of the Mycenaean invasion. The Minoan civilization was one of the most advanced.
Mayan civilization
Time of existence:
2600 BC - 1520 A.D.
Territory:
Central America
The Maya are a classic example of the disappearance of civilization. Their majestic temples, monuments, cities and roads swallowed up the jungle, and their people disappeared. The language and traditions of the Mayan tribe still exist, but the civilization itself experienced its peak in the first millennium AD, when the magnificent temples were built. The Maya had a written language, people studied mathematics, created their own calendar, were engaged in engineering activities, and built pyramids. Among the reasons for the disappearance of the tribe is climate change, which lasted for 900 years and led to drought and famine.
Mycenaean civilization
Time of existence:
1600-1100 BC e.
Territory:
Greece
Unlike the Minoan civilization, the Mycenaeans flourished not only thanks to trade, but also conquest - they owned the territory of almost all of Greece. The Mycenaean civilization lasted for 500 years until its disappearance in 1100 BC. Several Greek myths are based on the stories of this particular civilization, for example, the legend of King Agamemnon, who led the troops during the Trojan War. The Mycenaean civilization was well developed both culturally and economically and left behind many artifacts. The reason for her death is not known. Suggests earthquakes, invasions, or peasant uprisings.
Olmec civilization
Time of existence:
1400 BC
Territory: Mexico
There was once a powerful and prosperous civilization of the pre-Columbian period, the Olmec civilization. The first finds belonging to her, archaeologists date back to 1400 BC. e. In the area of the city of San Lorenzo, scientists have found two of the three main centers of the Olmecs, Tenochtitlan and Potrero Nuevo. The Olmecs were skilled builders. During excavations, archaeologists have found large monuments in the form of huge stone heads. The Olmec civilization became the ancestor of the Mesoamerican culture that still exists today. They say that it was she who invented the writing, compass and calendar. They understood the benefits of bloodletting, sacrificed people and came up with the concept of the number zero. Until the 19th century, historians knew nothing about the existence of civilization.
Nabatea
Time of existence:
600 BC e.
Territory:
Jordan
Nabatea has existed in southern Jordan, in the region of Canaan and Arabia since the 6th century BC. The stunning cave city of Petra was built here in the red mountains of Jordan. The Nabateans are known for the complexes of dams, canals and water reservoirs that helped them survive in the desert. There are no written sources confirming their existence. It is known that they organized an active trade in silk, tusks, spices, precious metals, precious stones, incense, sugar, perfumes and medicines. Unlike other civilizations existing at that time, they did not keep slaves and made an equal contribution to the development of society. In the 4th century BC. e. the Nabateans left Petra and no one knows why. Archaeological finds indicate that they did not leave the city in a hurry, that they did not survive the attack. Scientists think that the nomadic tribe moved north to better lands.
Aksumite kingdom
Time of existence:
A.D. 100
Territory:
Ethiopia
The Aksumite kingdom was formed in the first century AD. on the territory of modern Ethiopia. According to legend, the Queen of Sheba was born in this area. Axum was an important trading center that traded ivory, natural resources, agricultural products, and gold with the Roman Empire and India. The Aksumite kingdom was a wealthy society and the ancestor of African culture, the creator of its own currency, a symbol of power. The most characteristic were the monuments in the form of steles, giant cave obelisks, which played the role of burial chambers for kings and queens. At the very beginning, the inhabitants of the kingdom worshiped many gods, among whom was the supreme god Astar. In 324, King Ezana II converted to Christianity and the kingdom began to promote Christian culture. According to legend, a Jewish queen named Yodit took over the Aksumite kingdom and burned churches and books. According to other sources, it was a pagan queen of Bani Al-Hamriyah. Others believe that climate change and famine led to the kingdom's decline.
Khmer empire
Time of existence:
1000-1400 A.D.
Territory:
Cambodia
The Khmer Empire, one of the most powerful empires and the largest extinct civilizations, was located on the territory of modern Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar and Malaysia, Thailand and Laos. The capital of the empire, the city of Angkor, became one of the most famous archaeological centers in Cambodia. The empire, which at that time numbered up to a million inhabitants, flourished in the first millennium. The inhabitants of the empire professed Hinduism and Buddhism, built numerous temples, towers and other architectural complexes, such as the Angkor temple dedicated to the god Vishnu. The decline of the empire was the result of several reasons. One of them was the roads along which it was convenient not only to transport goods, but also to advance for enemy troops.
Egyptian labyrinth keeps the secrets of ancient civilizations Everyone knows about the existence on the territory of Egypt mysterious pyramids , but not everyone knows that a huge labyrinth is hidden under them. The secrets stored there are able to reveal the secrets of not only the Egyptian civilization, but of all mankind. This ancient Egyptian labyrinth was located next to Lake Birket Karun, west of the Nile River, 80 kilometers south of the modern city of Cairo. It was built in 2300 BC and was a building surrounded by a high wall, where there were one and a half thousand above-ground and the same number of underground rooms. The total area of the labyrinth was 70 thousand square meters. Visitors were not allowed to inspect the underground rooms of the labyrinth; there were tombs for pharaohs and crocodiles - animals sacred in Egypt. Above the entrance to the Egyptian labyrinth were inscribed the following words: "Madness or death - this is what the weak or the vicious find here, only the strong and the good find life and immortality here." Many frivolous entered this door and did not leave it. This is an abyss that brings back only the courageous in spirit. The intricate system of corridors, courtyards and rooms in the labyrinth was so intricate that without a guide, an outsider could never find a way or an exit in it. The labyrinth was plunged into absolute darkness, and when some doors were opened, they made a terrible sound, like thunder or the roar of a thousand lions. Before big holidays, mysteries were held in the labyrinth and ritual sacrifices, including human ones, were made. So the ancient Egyptians showed their respect to the god Sebek - a huge crocodile. In ancient manuscripts, information has been preserved that crocodiles actually lived in the labyrinth, reaching 30 meters in length. The Egyptian labyrinth is an unusually large structure - its base measures 305 x 244 meters. The Greeks admired this labyrinth more than any other Egyptian building, with the exception of the pyramids. In antiquity, it was called the "labyrinth" and served as a model for the labyrinth in Crete. Except for a few columns, it is now completely destroyed. Everything we know about him is based on ancient evidence, as well as on the results of excavations carried out by Sir Flinders Petrie, who attempted to reconstruct this structure. The earliest mention belongs to the Greek historian Herodotus of Halicarnassus (about 484-430 BC), he mentions in his "History" that Egypt is divided into twelve administrative districts, which are ruled by twelve rulers, and then gives his own impressions of this structure : “And so they decided to leave a common monument, and having decided this, they erected a labyrinth a little higher than Lake Merida, near the so-called City of Crocodiles. I saw this labyrinth inside: it is beyond description. After all, if you collect all the walls and great structures erected by the Hellenes, then in general it would turn out that less labor was spent on them and Money than this one maze. And yet the temples at Ephesus and at Samos are very remarkable. Of course, the pyramids are huge structures and each of them is worth in size many creations of Hellenic building art put together, although they are also large. However, the labyrinth is larger than these pyramids. It has twenty courtyards with gates facing one another, six facing north and six facing south, adjacent to each other. Outside, there is a single wall around them. Inside this wall there are chambers of two kinds: one underground, others above the ground, numbering 3000, exactly 1500 each. I myself had to go through the above-ground chambers and examine them, and I speak of them as an eyewitness. I know about the underground chambers only from stories: the Egyptian caretakers never wanted to show them to me, saying that there are tombs of the kings who erected this labyrinth, as well as the tombs of sacred crocodiles. That is why I am only talking about the lower chambers by hearsay. The upper chambers, which I had to see, surpass all the creations of human hands. Passages through chambers and winding passages through courtyards, being very confusing, cause a feeling of endless amazement: from courtyards you go to chambers, from chambers to galleries with colonnades, then back to chambers and from there back to courtyards. Everywhere there are stone roofs, as well as walls, and these walls are covered with many relief images. Each courtyard is surrounded by columns of carefully fitted pieces of white stone. And on the corner at the end of the labyrinth there is a pyramid with a height of 40 orgies, with huge figures carved on it. An underground passage leads to the pyramid. " Manetho, a high priest of Egypt from Heliopolis, who wrote in Greek, notes in his surviving work from the third century BC. e. and dedicated to the history and religion of the ancient Egyptians, that the creator of the labyrinth was the fourth pharaoh of the XII dynasty, Amenemhat III, whom he calls Lahares, Lampares or Labaris and about whom he writes: “He ruled for eight years. In the Arsinoi nome, he built himself a tomb - a labyrinth with many rooms. " Between 60 and 57 BC. e. Greek historian Diodorus Siculus lived temporarily in Egypt. In his Historical Library, he claims that the Egyptian labyrinth is in good condition. “After the death of this ruler, the Egyptians again became independent and enthroned a compatriot ruler, Mendes, whom some call Marrus. He did not conduct any military actions, but built a tomb for himself, known as the Labyrinth. This Labyrinth is remarkable not so much for its size as for the cunning and skillfulness of its internal structure, which cannot be reproduced. For when a person enters this Labyrinth, he cannot find his own way back, and he needs the help of an experienced guide. to whom the structure of the building is well known. Some also say that Daedalus, who visited Egypt and was delighted with this wonderful creation, built a similar labyrinth for the Cretan king Minos, in which he was kept. as the myth says, a monster named Minotaur. However, the Cretan labyrinth no longer exists, perhaps it was razed to the ground by one of the rulers, or the time did this job, while the Egyptian labyrinth stood completely intact until our times. " Diodorus himself did not see this building, he only gathered together the data that were available to him. When describing the Egyptian labyrinth, he used two sources and failed to recognize that both of them tell about the same building. Soon after compiling his first description, he begins to consider this structure as a common monument to the twelve nomarchs of Egypt: “There was no ruler in Egypt for two years, and riots and murders began among the people, then the twelve most important leaders united in a sacred union. They met for a council in Memphis and made an agreement of mutual loyalty and friendship and proclaimed themselves rulers. They ruled in accordance with their vows and promises, maintained mutual agreement for fifteen years, after which they decided to build a common tomb for themselves. Their plan was such that, just as during life they cherished a heartfelt disposition to each other, they were given equal honors, so after death their bodies should rest in one place, and a monument erected by their order should symbolize the glory and power of the buried there. This was to surpass the creations of its predecessors. And so, having chosen a place for their monument near Lake Merida in Libya, they built a tomb of a magnificent stone in the shape of a square, but each side of it was equal in size to one stage. Descendants could never surpass the skill of carved decorations and any other work. A hall was built behind the fence, surrounded by columns, forty on each side, and the roof of the courtyard was made of solid stone, hollowed out from the inside and decorated with skillful and multicolored painting. The courtyard was also decorated with magnificent picturesque images of the places where each of the rulers came from, as well as the temples and sanctuaries that were there. In general, it is known about these rulers that the scope of their plans for the construction of their tomb - both in size and cost - was so great that if they had not been overthrown before the construction was completed, their creation would have remained unsurpassed. And after these rulers reigned in Egypt for fifteen years, it happened that the rule passed to one person ... "Unlike Diodorus, the Greek geographer and historian Strabo of Amasa (about 64 BC - 24 AD). B.C.) gives a description based on personal impressions. In 25 BC. e. he, as part of the retinue of the prefect of Egypt, Gaius Cornelius Gallus, made a trip to Egypt, about which he narrates in detail in his Geography: “In addition, this nome has a labyrinth - a structure that can be compared with pyramids - and next to it is the tomb of the king , the labyrinth builder. Near the first entrance to the canal, going forward 30 or 40 stadia, we reach a flat area in the form of a trapezoid, where the village is located, as well as a large palace, consisting of many palace premises, as many as there were nomes in former times, for there are so many halls , which are surrounded by adjacent colonnades, all these colonnades are located in one row and along one wall, which is like a long wall with halls in front of it, and the paths leading to them are directly opposite the wall. In front of the entrances to the halls there are many long covered vaults with winding paths between them, so that without a guide, no stranger can find either an entrance or an exit. It is surprising that the roof of each chamber consists of one stone, and that the covered vaults, in the same width, are covered with slabs of solid stone of an extremely large size, without any admixture of wood anywhere or any other substance. Climbing the roof of a small height, since the labyrinth is one-story, you can see a stone plain, consisting of stones of the same large size; from here, descending again into the halls, you can see that they are arranged in a row and rest on 27 columns, their walls are also made of stones of no less size. At the end of this building, which occupies more space than a stage, there is a tomb - a quadrangular pyramid, each side of which is about a plephra in width at an equal height. The name of the deceased there is Imandez. They say that such a number of halls were built due to the custom of all nomes gathering here according to the meaning of each, together with their priests and priestesses to perform sacrifices, bring gifts to the gods and for legal proceedings on important matters. Each nome was assigned a hall assigned to him. " A little further, in the 38th chapter, Strabo gives a description of his trip to the sacred crocodiles Arsinoe (Crocodilopolis). This place is located next to the labyrinth, so it can be assumed that he also saw the labyrinth. Pliny the Elder (23 / 24-79 AD) in his " Natural history »Gives the most detailed description of the maze. “Let's also say about labyrinths, the most outlandish creation of human extravagance, but not fictional, as they might think. To this day, the one that was created first, as reported, 3600 years ago, by King Petesuch or Titoes, still exists in Egypt in the Heracleopolis nome, although Herodotus says that all this structure was created by 12 kings, the last of whom was Psammetichus. Its purpose is interpreted in different ways: according to Demotel, it was the royal palace of Moteris, according to Lycea - the tomb of Merida, according to the interpretation of many, it was built as a sanctuary of the Sun, which is most likely. In any case, there is no doubt that Daedalus borrowed from here the model of the labyrinth that he created in Crete, but reproduced only its one-hundredth part, which contains the rotation of paths and intricate passages back and forth, not as we see on pavements or in Field games for boys, containing many thousands of walking steps on a small patch, and with many built-in doors for deceiving moves and returning to the same wanderings. It was the second labyrinth after the Egyptian, the third was on Lemnos, the fourth in Italy, all covered with hewn stone vaults. In Egyptian, which personally surprises me, the entrance and the columns are made of stone from Paros, the rest of it is made of blocks of syenite - pink and red granite, which can hardly be destroyed even for centuries, even if only with the assistance of the Heracleopolis who belonged to this structure with extraordinary hatred. It is impossible to describe in detail the location of this structure and each part separately, since it is divided into regions, as well as into prefectures, which are called nomes, and 21 of their names are given as many vast premises, in addition, it contains temples of all the gods of Egypt, and Moreover, in 40 aedicles of closed chapels of funeral temples, Nemesis enclosed many pyramids of forty girths each, occupying six arur 0.024 hectares at the base. Tired of walking, they fall into that famous tangled trap of roads. Moreover, here are the second floors high on the slopes, and the porticoes descending by ninety steps. Inside - columns of porphyrite stone, images of gods, statues of kings, monstrous figures. Some rooms are arranged in such a way that when the doors are opened, a terrible thunder is heard inside. Most of them pass in the dark. And beyond the wall of the labyrinth there are other huge structures - they are called the pteron of the colonnade. From there, passages dug under the ground lead to other underground rooms. Something was restored there only by Kherremon alone, the eunuch of the king Nekteb [Nektaneba I], 500 years before Alexander the Great. It is also reported that during the construction of the vaults of cut stone, the supports were made from the back trunks [of the Egyptian acacia], boiled in oil. " Description of the Roman geographer Pomponius Mela, who in 43 AD e. stated in his essay "On the State of the Earth", consisting of three books, the views of the known world adopted in Rome: “The labyrinth built by Psammetichus encompasses three thousand halls and twelve palaces with one continuous wall. Its walls and roof are marble. The maze has only one entrance. There are countless winding passages inside it. All of them are directed in different directions and communicate with each other. In the corridors of the labyrinth there are porticoes, which are similar to each other in pairs. Corridors go around each other. This creates a lot of confusion, but you can figure it out. " The authors of antiquity do not offer any single, consistent definition of this outstanding structure. However, since in Egypt during the time of the pharaohs only sanctuaries and structures dedicated to the cult of the dead (tombs and burial temples) were built from stone, then all their other buildings, including palaces, were built of wood and clay bricks, so the labyrinth could not be a palace, an administrative center or a monument (provided that Herodotus, speaking of a “monument, a monument”, does not mean “a tomb, which is quite possible). On the other hand, since the pharaohs of the XII dynasty built pyramids as tombs, the only possible purpose of the "labyrinth" remains the temple. According to the very plausible explanation given by Alan B. Lloyd, it probably served as a burial temple for Amenemhat III, who was buried in a pyramid nearby, as well as a temple dedicated to some gods. The answer to the question of how this "labyrinth" got its name also remains unconvincing. Attempts have been made to derive this term from the Egyptian words "al lopa-rohun, laperohunt" or "ro-per-ro-henet", meaning "the entrance to the temple by the lake." But between these words and the word "labyrinth" there is no phonetic correspondence, and nothing similar was found in the Egyptian texts. It has also been suggested that the throne name of Amenemhat III, Lamares, the Hellenized version of which sounds like "Labaris", comes from the name of the temple of Labaris. Such a possibility cannot be ruled out, but this does not explain the essence of the phenomenon. Moreover, a strong argument against such an interpretation is the fact that Herodotus, the author of the earliest written source, does not mention Amenemhat III and his throne names. He also does not mention how the Egyptians themselves called this structure ("Amenemkhet lives"). He simply tells about the "labyrinth", not considering it necessary to explain what it is. He uses a Greek term to describe a huge, awe-inspiring, elaborate stone structure, as if the term expresses some general meaning, a concept. It is this kind of descriptions that are given in all other written sources, and only the authors of a later time mention the danger of getting lost. Therefore, we can conclude that the term "labyrinth" in this case is used metaphorically, it serves as a name for a building, an outstanding structure made of stone. M. Budimir, resorting to historical and linguistic argumentation, came to a similar conclusion, interpreting the labyrinth as a term denoting "a building of great magnitude." The German Jesuit and scientist Athanasius Kircher (1602-1680), known to contemporaries as Doctor of a Hundred Arts (Doctor centum artium), tried to reconstruct the Egyptian "labyrinth" based on ancient descriptions. In the center of the drawing is a labyrinth, which Kircher may have modeled from Roman mosaics. Around there are images symbolizing the twelve nomes - the administrative units of Ancient Egypt, described by Herodotus. This drawing, engraved on copper (50 X 41 cm), is placed in the book "The Tower of Babel, or Archontology" ("Turris Babel, Sive Archontologia", Amsterdam, 1679). In 2008, a group of researchers from Belgium and Egypt began to study objects hidden underground, hoping to find and unravel the mystery of the mysterious underground complex of an ancient civilization. The Belgian-Egyptian expedition, armed with scientific instruments, and technology allowing to look into the secret of the rooms hidden under the sand, was able to confirm the presence of an underground temple near the pyramid of Amenemkhet III. Without a doubt, the expedition led by Petrie lifted one of the most incredible discoveries in Egyptian history from the darkness of oblivion, shedding light on the greatest discovery. But if you think that the opening took place, and you do not know about it, then you are wrong with the conclusion. This significant discovery was hidden from society, and no one could understand why this happened. The results of the expedition, publication in the scientific journal NRIAG, the conclusions of the study, a public lecture at the University of Ghent - all this was "frozen", since the Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities of Egypt, banned all reports of the find, allegedly due to the imposed sanctions of the Egyptian service safety, protecting the monument of antiquity. Louis de Cordier, and other researchers of the expedition patiently waited for a response about excavations in the labyrinth area for several years, with the hope of recognition of the find and the desire to make it public, but unfortunately this did not happen. But even if researchers have confirmed the existence of an underground complex, excavations must still be carried out to investigate the incredible conclusion of scientists. After all, it is believed that the treasures of the underground labyrinth can provide answers to the countless historical secrets of the ancient Egyptian civilization, as well as provide new knowledge about the history of mankind and other civilizations. The only question here is why this undeniably incredible historical discovery fell under the yoke of "silence"?
At any moment, humanity can disappear, if not all, then part of it. This has happened before, and entire civilizations have disappeared as a result of wars, epidemics, climate change, military incursions or volcanic eruptions. Although in most cases, the reasons remain mysterious. We offer an overview of 10 civilizations that mysteriously disappeared thousands of years ago.
10. Clovis
Time of existence: 11500 BC e.
Territory: North America
Little is known about the Clovis culture, the prehistoric culture of the Stone Age tribes who inhabited North America at the time. The name of the culture comes from the Clovis archaeological site, located near the city of Clovis, New Mexico. Among the archaeological finds found here in the 20s of the last century, one can name stone and bone knives, etc. Probably, these people came from Siberia through the Bereng Strait to Alaska at the end of the Ice Age. Nobody knows if this was the first culture in North America or not. The Clovis culture disappeared as suddenly as it appeared. Perhaps the members of this culture were assimilated with other tribes.
Time of existence: 5500 - 2750 BC e.
Territory: Ukraine Moldova and Romania
The largest settlements in Europe during the Neolithic period were built by representatives of the Trypillian culture, whose area was the territories of modern Ukraine, Romania and Moldova. The civilization numbered about 15,000 people and is known for its pottery, the fact that they burned their old settlements, having lived in them for 60-80 years, before building new ones. Today, about 3,000 settlements of Trypillians are known, who had matriarchy, and they worshiped the mother goddess of the clan. Their disappearance may have occurred as a result of dramatic climate change, resulting in drought and famine. According to other scholars, the Trypillians assimilated among other tribes.
Time of existence: 3300-1300 BC e.
Territory: Pakistan
The Indian civilization was one of the most numerous and significant in the territory of modern Pakistan and India, but, unfortunately, little is known about it. It is only known that representatives of the Indian civilization built hundreds of cities and villages. Each of the cities had a sewerage system and a cleaning system. The civilization was non-class, not militant, because it did not even have its own army, but it was interested in astronomy and agriculture. It was the first civilization to produce cotton fabrics and clothing. Civilization disappeared 4500 years ago, and no one knew about its existence until the ruins of ancient cities were discovered in the 1920s. Scientists have put forward several theories regarding the reasons for the disappearance, including climate change, a sharp temperature drop from frost to extreme heat. According to another theory, the Aryans destroyed civilization by attacking in 1500 BC. e.
Time of existence: 3000-630 BC
Territory: Crete
The existence of the Minoan civilization was not known until the beginning of the 20th century, but then it was found out that the civilization existed for 7000 years and reached its peak of development by 1600 BC. e. For many centuries, palaces were built, completed and rebuilt, forming whole complexes. An example of such complexes can be called the palaces in Knossos, this is a labyrinth with which the legend of the Minotaur and King Minos is associated. Today it is an important archaeological center. The first Minoans used Linear A in Crete, which was later replaced by Linear B, both of which were based on hieroglyphics. It is believed that the Minoan civilization perished as a result of a volcanic eruption on the island of Tera (Santorini island). It is believed that people would have survived if the eruption had not killed the vegetation and famine. The Minoan fleet was dilapidated and the trade-based economy was in decline. According to another version, the civilization disappeared as a result of the Mycenaean invasion. The Minoan civilization was one of the most advanced.
Time of existence: 2600 BC - 1520 A.D.
Territory: Central America
The Maya are a classic example of the disappearance of civilization. Their majestic temples, monuments, cities and roads swallowed up the jungle, and their people disappeared. The language and traditions of the Mayan tribe still exist, but the civilization itself experienced its peak in the first millennium AD, when the magnificent temples were built. The Maya had a written language, people studied mathematics, created their own calendar, were engaged in engineering activities, and built pyramids. Among the reasons for the disappearance of the tribe is climate change, which lasted for 900 years and led to drought and famine.
Time of existence: 1600-1100 BC e.
Territory: Greece
Unlike the Minoan civilization, the Mycenaeans flourished not only thanks to trade, but also conquest - they owned the territory of almost all of Greece. The Mycenaean civilization lasted for 500 years until its disappearance in 1100 BC. Several Greek myths are based on the stories of this particular civilization, for example, the legend of King Agamemnon, who led the troops during the Trojan War. The Mycenaean civilization was well developed both culturally and economically and left behind many artifacts. The reason for her death is not known. Suggests earthquakes, invasions, or peasant uprisings.
Time of existence: 1400 BC
Territory: Mexico
There was once a powerful and prosperous civilization of the pre-Columbian period, the Olmec civilization. The first finds belonging to her, archaeologists date back to 1400 BC. e. In the area of the city of San Lorenzo, scientists have found two of the three main centers of the Olmecs, Tenochtitlan and Potrero Nuevo. The Olmecs were skilled builders. During excavations, archaeologists have found large monuments in the form of huge stone heads. The Olmec civilization became the ancestor of the Mesoamerican culture that still exists today. They say that it was she who invented the writing, compass and calendar. They understood the benefits of bloodletting, sacrificed people and came up with the concept of the number zero. Until the 19th century, historians knew nothing about the existence of civilization.
Time of existence: 600 BC e.
Territory: Jordan
Nabatea has existed in southern Jordan, in the region of Canaan and Arabia since the 6th century BC. The stunning cave city of Petra was built here in the red mountains of Jordan. The Nabateans are known for the complexes of dams, canals and water reservoirs that helped them survive in the desert. There are no written sources confirming their existence. It is known that they organized an active trade in silk, tusks, spices, precious metals, precious stones, incense, sugar, perfumes and medicines. Unlike other civilizations existing at that time, they did not keep slaves and made an equal contribution to the development of society. In the 4th century BC. e. the Nabateans left Petra and no one knows why. Archaeological finds indicate that they did not leave the city in a hurry, that they did not survive the attack. Scientists think that the nomadic tribe moved north to better lands.
Time of existence: 100 A.D.
Territory: Ethiopia
The Aksumite kingdom was formed in the first century AD. on the territory of modern Ethiopia. According to legend, the Queen of Sheba was born in this area. Axum was an important trading center that traded ivory, natural resources, agricultural products, and gold with the Roman Empire and India. The Aksumite kingdom was a wealthy society and the ancestor of African culture, the creator of its own currency, a symbol of power. The most characteristic were the monuments in the form of steles, giant cave obelisks, which played the role of burial chambers for kings and queens. At the very beginning, the inhabitants of the kingdom worshiped many gods, among whom was the supreme god Astar. In 324, King Ezana II converted to Christianity and the kingdom began to promote Christian culture. According to legend, a Jewish queen named Yodit took over the Aksumite kingdom and burned churches and books. According to other sources, it was a pagan queen of Bani Al-Hamriyah. Others believe that climate change and famine led to the kingdom's decline.
Time of existence: 1000-1400 A.D.
Territory: Cambodia
The Khmer Empire, one of the most powerful empires and the largest extinct civilizations, was located on the territory of modern Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar and Malaysia, Thailand and Laos. The capital of the empire, the city of Angkor, became one of the most famous archaeological centers in Cambodia. The empire, which at that time numbered up to a million inhabitants, flourished in the first millennium. The inhabitants of the empire professed Hinduism and Buddhism, built numerous temples, towers and other architectural complexes, such as the Angkor temple dedicated to the god Vishnu. The decline of the empire was the result of several reasons. One of them was the roads along which it was convenient not only to transport goods, but also to advance for enemy troops.
Amazing cities, kingdoms ruins of palaces, strangely preserved statues ... and mysteriously disappeared inhabitants.
Ankor Wat
The golden age of the Khmer civilization fell on the period between the 9th and 13th centuries during the kingdom of Cambuja, whose name later gave Cambodia its name. He ruled over vast territories from the capital Angkor in western Cambodia. During the reign of Jayavarman VII, Cambuja reached a political and cultural heyday, which is now evident from the ruins of this palace, the central towers of which symbolize the peaks of Mount Meru - the center of the universe according to Hinduism, and on the towers are the smiling faces of the gods carved from stone.
Ruins of Anuradhapura
It is the former capital of Sri Lanka during the heyday of the ancient Lankan civilization. This place is considered one of the most sacred, most important and longest inhabited among the ancient Lankan cities. The city was built around 380 BC and flourished until the population was resettled to Polonnaruwa in the 10th century AD. Today, sacred to Buddhists and Hindus, this city is surrounded by monasteries.
Kingdom of Hugo, Tibet
The mysterious Tibetan kingdom, founded by the son of King Glang Dharma, was formed around the 10th century, and then, 700 years later, collapsed under mysterious circumstances. Its population of tens of thousands of people has sunk without a trace. Ruins to this day lie on the slopes of Ngari, famous for its Buddhist monasteries, snow-capped mountains and lakes. The preserved frescoes within the walls of this city, showing the daily life of its former inhabitants, are very important, as well as the unique amazing statue of Buddha, made of gold and silver.
Humpy
Hampi is located among the ruins of Vijayanagara, the former capital the empire now known as the village of Karnataka, India. Perhaps because of this ancient city and the temple located in it, the village, which is located nearby, is considered the most important religious center. Since the village itself is located in the center of Vijayanagar, it is often confused with the ancient city itself. This place is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Kingdom of Kerma
This kingdom was a rival of Ancient Egypt from about 2500 BC to 1520 BC. It was founded in Upper Nubia - now roughly between Sudan and the east bank of the Nile - and was the main trading center in the Middle Kingdom during Egyptian times. There is a cemetery in this place: where you can see many large mounds, which are the tombs of the emperors. Some archaeologists believe that the kingdom of Kerma may have been associated with the legendary Kingdom of Kush mentioned in Genesis.
There were three Kushite kingdoms: the first was called Kerma, as the capital of the same name, and existed from 2400 to 1500. BC.; the second was Napata (1000–300 BC) and the third was Meroe (300 BC - 300 AD). Initially, the Nubians were under the influence of their northern neighbors, but as a result, the Nubian tribes were able to conquer Egypt, the king of Napata ruled as a pharaoh of the 25th dynasty until the Assyrian conquest in 656 BC.
Nubian pyramids
Buried Kingdom of Kotte
This kingdom is located on the border of the present city of Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, it flourished in the territory of the present state in the 15th century. Its ruler was the last hereditary one who managed to unite all the peoples of Sri Lanka. By 1450, Parkamab VI completed the unification. Literature and the arts flourished during his reign.
Kingdom of Koguro
Scattered throughout the Chinese provinces of Jilin and Liaoning are the remains of three cities - the mountain city of Wunu, Guonei and the mountain city of Wandu - these are the sites of 14 royal tombs. All these cities once belonged to the Koguro culture, named after the dynasty of the same name, whose representatives ruled in different parts of northern China and the northern part of the Korean Peninsula from 277 BC to 668 AD.
Sabaen kingdom
The Sabaenians lived in what is now Yemen between 2000 BC and until the 8th century AD. This temple was recently discovered in Sirvaa, located east of Sanaa. Known as Almaga, the temple is in excellent condition with wide entrances and large interior rooms. Everything is made of wood and stone, and the tower-like projections weigh about 6 tons. 7 huge columns were lifted with a crane-like mechanism. The front of the temple is adorned with two huge sculptures of the Sabi kings.
Sukhothai Historical Park
Located in the north of Thailand. This city was the capital of the state of the same name, the heyday of which fell on the period of 13-14 centuries. The city walls form a rectangular space of 70 square kilometers, each wall has a gate. Inside you can find the remains of the royal palace and 26 temples, the largest of which is Wat Mahatha. The park is protected by the Department of the Arts of Thailand and is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park is visited by many people to see and admire the ancient Buddha figure, the palace ruined complex and the ruins of temples.
The culture
During its history, mankind has lost many civilizations. Explorers discover huge temples and giant treasure pits that were once stately palaces.
Why did people leave the once prosperous cities, centers and trade routes? There are often no answers to these questions.
Here are 10 civilizations whose disappearance is still a mystery.
1. Maya
The Mayan civilization is a classic example of a civilization that has been completely lost. Her monuments, cities and roads swallowed the jungle Central America, and the inhabitants were scattered in small villages.
Although the Mayan language and traditions have survived to this day, civilization peaked in the first millennium AD, when stately architectural structures and large-scale agricultural projects covered most of the Yucatan. Today this territory stretches from Mexico to Guatemala and Belize.... The Maya made extensive use of writing, mathematics, intricate calendars, and sophisticated engineering to build pyramids and terraced fields.
It is believed that the mysterious decline of the Mayan civilization began around 900, and there are several assumptions about this. Among them there is evidence that climate change in Yucatan and civil wars have led to hunger and abandonment urban centers.
2. Indian civilization
The Indian or, as it is also called, the Harappan civilization is one of the greatest civilizations the ancient world... Thousands of years ago, it stretched across India, Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan and boasted 5 million inhabitants, which was about 10 percent of the world's population.
Its trade routes, massive multi-storey buildings were abandoned more than 3000 years ago. There are several assumptions about the decline of the Indian civilization. According to the latest version, like Maya, this ancient civilization suffered from gradual changes in rainfall, which made it difficult to grow enough food for the huge population.
3. Easter Island
The inhabitants of Easter Island are yet another classic "lost" civilization made famous by the mysterious, huge statues of human heads that line the island's coastline.
How did the thriving Polynesian civilization disappear after centuries of ancient monuments were built here, sailing hundreds of kilometers across the ocean from one island to another?
According to one hypothesis, the Rapanui inhabitants of Easter Island were very developed and intelligent, but their methods were not rational. At the time they settled on Easter Island between 700 and 1200 AD, they used all the trees and agricultural resources of the island and they had to move.
4. Chatal Huyuk
Chatal Huyuk, often called the most ancient city in the world, was part of a major urban development and agricultural civilization that flourished between 9000 and 7000 years ago in what is now central Turkey.
Chatal Huyuk was distinguished by a unique structure, unlike other cities... There were no roads here, and instead the inhabitants erected what looked like a beehive, where houses were built on top of each other, and the entrance was located on the roof. It is believed that outside the walls, people grew everything that was possible, from almonds to wheat. Residents decorated the entrance to the house with skulls of bulls, and the bodies of the deceased were buried underground on the floor.
Civilization existed even before the Iron Age and before the advent of literacy, but, nevertheless, there is evidence that it was a highly developed society, including art and rituals. Why did people leave the city? There is no answer to this question yet.
5. Cahokia
Long before Europeans arrived in North America, the so-called Mississippi built a large city surrounded by huge earthen pyramids - mounds and structures of wood, similar to Stonehenge, in order to track the movement of the stars.
The flourishing of civilization fell on AD 600-1400. and the city stretched over 15 sq. km with hundreds of mounds and a huge area in the center. Its population was about 40,000 people, many of whom were skilled artists, architects, farmers, who created amazing works of art from shells, copper and stone. It is not entirely clear what caused people to leave the city, but some archaeologists believe that perhaps disease and hunger have begun in the city and the people went to more favorable places.
6. Gebekli Tepe
One of the most mysterious structures discovered is the Gebekli Tepe complex, built around 10,000 BC. and located in the modern southern part of Turkey.
The complex is a series of round nesting structures decorated with carvings in the form of animals, which is probably served as a temple for nomadic tribes in this area... It was not a permanent residence, although several priests may have lived here all year round. It is the first permanent human-built structure to be discovered, and it probably represents the pinnacle of the local Mesopotamian civilization of that era.
What did people worship? Where did they come to this place? What else were they doing? At the moment, archaeologists are carefully working to provide answers to these questions.
7. Angkor
Many people have heard of the outstanding Angkor Wat temple in Cambodia. But this is just a small part of that huge civilization during the Khmer Empire, which was called Angkor. The city flourished during the late Middle Ages in AD 1000-1200 and was supported by about a million people.
There is many reasons for the decline of Angkor, from wars to natural disasters... Most of civilization is now buried in the jungle. It is still not clear how many people actually lived in the city, which was distinguished by its amazing architecture and Hindu culture. Some archaeologists believe that given all the roads and canals connecting many of its regions, it can be assumed that this is him was the largest city in the world at its heyday.
8. Turquoise Mountain
Although not all destroyed monuments represent lost civilizations, the Jama minaret is just such a structure. Built in 1100, this magnificent architectural structure was part of a city in Afghanistan. Archaeological excavations indicate that it was a multinational territory, where many religions coexisted, including Jewish, Christian and Muslim, whose representatives lived harmoniously here for hundreds of years.
Perhaps the unique minaret was part of the lost ancient capital of Afghanistan which is called Turquoise Mountain.
9. Nya
Now an abandoned place in the Taklamakan Desert in western China, Nya was a thriving city on the famous Silk Road 1600 years ago. Over the past two centuries, archaeologists have unearthed countless treasures in the dusty and shattered remains of what was once majestic city with wooden houses and temples.
In a sense, Nya is a relic of the lost civilization of the Great Silk Road that linked China to Central Asia, Africa and Europe. Many people have traveled along the Silk Road, including wealthy merchants, pilgrims and scholars who exchanged ideas and created a complex, enlightened culture wherever the Silk Road passed. The ancient route underwent many changes, but its importance as a trade route declined during the Mongol Empire and fell into decay in the 1300s.
10. Nabta Playa
Around 7000 - 6500 BC An incredible urban community has emerged in what is now the Egyptian Sahara.
The people who live here domesticated livestock, engaged in farming, pottery and left behind stone structures that indicate the study of astronomy. Archaeologists believe that the inhabitants of Nabta Playa were the forerunners of the civilization that reigned in large cities Nile that appeared in Egypt thousands of years ago.
Although the Nabta civilization is now located in an arid region, it originated at a time when rainfall was different, filling the area with a lake, which allowed this culture to flourish.