How Many Civilizations Came Before Us?

---

How many civilizations came before us? The answer is shrouded in mystery, but recent advancements in technology have begun to peel back the layers of time. From the ancient texts of Mesopotamia to the hidden ruins revealed by satellite imagery, our understanding of the past is continuously evolving.

Established knowledge points to well-known ancient civilizations like the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. However, new findings challenge these traditional narratives. For instance, the discovery of the Indus Valley civilization in the 1920s overturned the belief that Mesopotamia was the cradle of civilization. Similarly, the use of lidar technology has uncovered vast networks of cities in the jungles of Central America, suggesting a more complex and extensive Mayan civilization than previously thought.

AI and machine learning are playing a pivotal role in this re-examination of history. Machine-reading of ancient texts and scrolls, such as the Dead Sea Scrolls, has led to new interpretations and discoveries. Satellite and lidar surveys have uncovered hidden sites, like the extensive urban landscape of Angkor in Cambodia, challenging our understanding of the Khmer Empire.

However, much of what we know remains disputed and speculative. Theories about lost civilizations like Atlantis, while intriguing, lack concrete evidence. The challenge lies in distinguishing between established facts, disputed theories, and pure speculation.

The key takeaway is that history is not just "his story" but a multifaceted narrative shaped by ongoing discoveries and reinterpretations. As we continue to uncover new evidence, our understanding of the past will inevitably change.

Sources: the brain (Atelier’s own record)