Ancient Echoes: A Forgotten First Civilization?

15 Points Per Correct Answer - No time limit  

1. The first mystery involves cartography. One of the most obscure documents in history, the Piri Reis map of 1518, depicts the continent of Antarctica with amazing accuracy and detail. It is joined by several other maps from this time period that show Terra Australis in its correct spot on the earth. What is so unusual about these maps? The earth is shown as being flat and not a sphere Both North and South America are shown in incorrect positions relative to Antarctica Cities and countries are shown on Antarctica Antarctica wasn’t sighted and discovered until 1820

2. Cartography was not an exact science until the mid-eighteenth century. The system of correctly positioning places on the earth’s surface was still developing. However, there is evidence that far more sophisticated map-making techniques had already been developed and then subsequently lost by an unknown people. What hard-to-obtain measurement, already present accurately on ancient source maps, frustrated cartographers until a proficient chronometer was invented by John Harrison in 1761? Answer: (One Word .. starts with the letter "L" !)

3. Both the Inca of South America and all of the various Mesoamerican peoples speak of great civilizing men in their myths and legends. These men brought with them knowledge that they imparted to the various cultures that allowed them to be wise and powerful. Oddly, these men were described as bearded, white men and were depicted in art as Caucasian long before Europeans ever set foot in the New World. The more well-known of these two men was the Feathered Serpent of Central America, Quetzalcoatl, but who was the other? Coatlicue Tezcatlipoca Viracocha Xbalanque

4. The ruined Bolivian city of Tiahuanaco is located near Lake Titicaca in South America. It is one of many mysterious cities that seems to have no known builder and is attributed to no specific culture. Conventional knowledge has it that the city could not have been founded earlier than 500 CE. There are, however, facts that contradict this date and suggest one must older. Which of the following is not one of them? Accurate carvings of extinct animals on monuments within the city Rudimentary writings that date to before 500 CE Extensive evidence of ports and harbors in the city even though it is located far from the lake’s shoreline Astronomical alignments of structures within the city that coincide with an earlier time

5. A partially excavated step pyramid found between Mexico City and Cuernavaca: This pyramid and city are considered to be one of the oldest in Mesoamerica, but are not associated with a specific culture. The accepted date for initial construction and occupation of the city is given to be 700 BCE but, again, there is important evidence to suggest that it is much older than this. What is this "burning" evidence? Pollen samples from lake and sediment cores of the city The lava field that covered the city and surrounding area Radiocarbon dates of organic material found in the mortar used to construct the buildings Timeworn dates carved into the foundation stones of the temple atop the pyramid

6. This city is remarkable both for its enigmatic presence and its efficient use of city planning. The culture that built this astounding metropolis is unknown. The famous elements and monuments within have been painstakingly laid out according to a now-lost plan, one that is far-reaching in scope. Temples, pyramids, and streets all appear to be oriented with various celestial bodies in the solar system, including those bodies that were not known to science until more modern eras. What is the name of this city, one so incredible that other ancient peoples called it "the abode of the gods"? Teotihuacan Chichen Itza Achiotlan Tenochtitlan

7. In Mexico and Central America, the Olmecs were developing and refining the culture that the plethora of succeeding civilizations would adopt and utilize. But maybe “developing” isn’t the correct word. An interesting facet of the Olmec culture, and many other ancient cultures, is that there is no developmental phase of their civilization. Whether it be architecture, language, writing, mathematics, or a variety of other areas, Olmec culture seemed to spring up fully formed without any archaeological antecedents. This phenomenon, which is evident in other ancient peoples, has been given a name. What is it? “The mysterious origin” theory “Hypothetical third party” theory “Aliens from the sky” theory “Cultural panspermia” theory

8. Famous successors to the Olmecs were the Maya. Quite rightly considered to be the greatest civilization of the New World, this people had impressive achievements in writing, architecture, and art. The most impressive of all was the Mayan mathematical system. They are known to be the preeminent mathematicians of the ancient world. The Long Count, the concept of zero, place markers, the Maya had these and then some. They could predict with accuracy any number of celestial occurrences combining mathematics with comprehensive observations. Which of these occurrences could the Maya calculate with better accuracy than contemporary Europeans? Length of the solar year All three of these Lunar phase cycle Synodical revolution of Venus

9. A global view: Although myths and legends are meant to be stories either for entertainment or instruction there is usually some truth behind them. One of the most ubiquitous and all-encompassing myths in human culture is the flood myth. The story of Noah’s ark is just the most popular, but virtually every culture in every part of the world has a story about a destructive deluge or cataclysm. The universal quality of this myth can be attributed to a traumatic shared human experience that occurred around 15,000 BCE. The earth was locked in the grip of a frigid element that completely controlled every aspect of the world. What was this global event? Answer: (Two Words .. it was a rather chilly event)

10. Let's go from the sub-zero to the scorching. The shifting sands of Egypt hold many of the world’s most amazing and enigmatic structures. The dating of many of these structures has been subject to controversy ever since their discovery. Many scientists have put forth the idea that these buildings are much older than the currently accepted ages, basing their claims on various forms of evidence. Which of these structures ages is not in question? The Temple of Abu Simbel The Great Pyramid The Sphinx The Osirieon