Lost Worlds
Civilization has many definitions. The basics of a civilization encompasses the lnd, the people and the beliefs that these people have created. The world of humanity is made up of complex systems of cultures which made up the ancient world; the dawn of civilization developed and waned, prospered and died but the challenges for a society that endures nature and mankind's inconsistencies has left their marks on the Earth. The attempts to mold the world around them have left virtually permanent evidence of different civilizations of the world. These societies may have not have lasted to the present time but continue to survive through their relics and monuments left to be uncovered by modern day historians.
Indus Valley Civilization
One of the greatest structures of the ancient world shows that the Indus Valley Civilization was among the worlds largest settlements. The remnants of this culture are located in present day Pakistan, the Indus Valley Civilization dates back 4,500 years ago and in the 1920s the ruins were excavated. Mohenjo-Daro was built in the 26th century BC. It was one of the largest cities of the Harappan Civilization which developed from the Indus culture. One of the world's earliest major urban settlements that existed during the time of ancient Egypt, Crete and Mesopotamia. This technologically advanced civilization was proficient in mathematics and engineering. The Indus Valley Civilization was abandoned about the year 1500 BC.
The knowledge of a system of weights and measures people of the Indus civilization was unsurpassed for its time and they were among the first to develop a system of uniform weights and measures.
Although the cities and houses were systematically laid out, with drainage and roads.
Some scholars believe that the Harappan people worshipped an Earth Goddess as artifacts symbolizing fertility have been found to point to the fact, however this has yet to be proven.
A possible natural reason for the decline of this great culture may have been a climate change from about 1800 BC.Mohenjo-daro was abandoned in the 19th century and laid dormant until the 1920's.
Minoan Civilization
A civilization of ancient Crete, named after the mythological or an actual ruler Minos as mentioned in Greek mythology. The Minoan Civilization was discovered early in the 20th century. An ancient civilization that began over 7,000 years ago, the civilization flourished from about 3000 BC to 1100 BC.
Crete was the center of Bronze age culture in the Aegean Sea, the Minoan is known for its great cities and palaces and its use of writing. The religion is thought to have been predominately matriarchal.
Commerce appeared around 2700 BC, and as the civilization advanced, palaces were built. One of these palaces was Knossos, the labyrinth associated with the legend of Minos, which is told in Greek myths of Daedalus. But sometime around 1450 BC, the land was taken over by conquerors and the reign of the Minoans ended.
The Minaret of Jam
The Minaret of Jam an extraordinary remnant of architecture of the Islamic culture is located in a remote valley far from any towns in what is now present day Afghanistan.
The minaret is a spire associated with the Muslim mosques.
It soars nearly 215 feet and was built in a rocky valley surrounded by cliffs at the juncture of the Hari-rud River and the River Jam.
The minaret stands marking the history of a sultan of the Ghurid dynasty dating to the 12th century. it is believed that the emperors resided in the summers there and is the site of the ancient city of Firuzkuh the capital of the Ghurid dynasty.
The minaret is constructed of brick and lime and is covered with geometrical markings and calligraphy ornaments. There are traces of castles on the cliffs where it is situated. The town of Kiruzkuh was destroyed in 1222 by the Mongols who conquered the area.
The Mayan Empire
In the tropical rain forests of what is now the areas of Guatemala, The Mayan culture reached the peak of its power around 500 AD. The Maya civilization were exceptional at agriculture, artistry, writing, astronomy and mathematics. They created an astonishing architecture and artwork which exists today in the Yucatan.
The Mayas date from 1600 BC to 900 AD which was the reign, with the height being from 250-900 AD. During this time the Mayan people made advances in temple and palace building in pyramid shape with elaborate inscriptions and their reputation in mathematics and astronomy with a complex calendar system attest to their capabilities in these areas.
The Mayans were deeply religious. They worshiped many Gods but in particular they worshiped a Sun God along with a rain, moon and corn gods.
Between the 8th to 9th century an unknown catastrophe occurred and the cities were abandoned and by 900 AD the Mayan civilization collapsed. The Mayans dwelt in agricultural villages in the surrounding areas of the great stone cities.
The causes of a civilization's conflict and the abandonment of these lost civilizations may not be evident now but the quest to find the answers for the decline of these remarkable societies and their demise is within out grasp. The ancient world holds many secrets these cultures and their fall lays in the dust that is left behind. Archaeologists are striving to find answers for the questions they cover. We may never know the true stories which lie behind the lost worlds.
