JRE #872 – Graham Hancock & Randall Carlson

This podcast delves into the provocative theory of a lost civilization wiped out by a cataclysmic comet impact, challenging conventional historical narratives and prompting a re-examination of our understanding of the past. It features Graham Hancock, renowned author of “Fingerprints of the Gods” and Randall Carlson, a master builder and renegade scholar. They discuss compelling evidence, including ancient sites like Göbekli Tepe, the enigmatic Sphinx, submerged megalithic structures, and the younger Dryas impact event. The podcast explores skepticism, scientific resistance, the importance of heretics in challenging established paradigms, and the potential for a paradigm shift in our understanding of human history. Underlying themes include the impact of cataclysms on civilization, the role of amnesia in shaping our perception of the past, the fragility of human civilization, and the need for a more holistic approach to understanding our place in the cosmos.

Topics and 4-Point Summary:

1. Comet Research Group & Crowdfunding:
   • A group of highly credentialed scientists are investigating the impact of a massive comet series on the North American ice cap 12,800 years ago.
   • They believe this event caused a global cataclysm wiping out a prehistoric civilization, and they are seeking funding to continue their research.
   • Their research focuses on finding nanodiamonds in Greenland ice cores, investigating an ancient city potentially wiped out by a comet impact 4,500 years ago, and exploring the Torrid meteor stream.
   • The Comet Research Group’s crowdfunding campaign, linked on Graham Hancock’s website, seeks public support for their groundbreaking research.
2. The Younger Dryas Impact Event & Its Implications:
   • The younger Dryas event, a period of rapid climate change 12,800 years ago, is believed to have been caused by a series of comet impacts on the North American ice cap.
   • This event wiped out large megafauna such as mammoths and mastodons, challenging conventional explanations that attribute extinctions to human overhunting.
   • The impact event also triggered widespread flooding, as evidenced by the massive meltwater flows across the Pacific Northwest, leaving behind unique geological features.
   • The younger Dryas event is a potential explanation for the absence of archaeological evidence for advanced civilizations older than 12,800 years, suggesting a catastrophic wipeout of previous cultures.
3. Skepticism, Paradigms, & the Importance of Heretics:
   • The podcast discusses the skepticism surrounding the idea of a lost civilization and the resistance within mainstream academia to accepting evidence that challenges established paradigms.
   • The reluctance to acknowledge cataclysms as significant factors in Earth’s history stems from a desire to separate science from superstition, as well as a vested interest in existing theories.
   • John Anthony West, a leading heretic in Egyptology, challenged conventional interpretations of the Sphinx, suggesting its weathering patterns indicate a much older age, aligning with the younger Dryas event.
   • The podcast emphasizes the importance of heretics in challenging established models and promoting open-mindedness in scientific research.
4. Göbekli Tepe & the Dawn of Civilization:
   • Göbekli Tepe, a site in Turkey dating back to 12,000 years ago, is considered the world’s oldest known temple complex, predating agriculture and organized societies.
   • The sophisticated construction and astronomical alignments of Göbekli Tepe challenge the conventional narrative of early human societies as simple hunter-gatherers.
   • Hancock and Carlson suggest that Göbekli Tepe may have been a center of knowledge and initiation for survivors of a lost civilization, who transferred agricultural and architectural skills to hunter-gatherers.
   • The existence of Göbekli Tepe, along with other ancient sites, points to a more complex and sophisticated prehistory than previously acknowledged, potentially linking to a lost civilization.
5. Submerged Megalithic Sites & Marine Archaeology:
   • The podcast highlights the possibility of submerged megalithic sites discovered off the coast of Sicily, indicating a civilization that existed before the rise in sea levels at the end of the last ice age.
   • These sites, along with other potential underwater structures, suggest that a significant portion of pre-ice age settlements and artifacts are now hidden beneath the oceans.
   • Marine archaeology is emerging as a crucial field for understanding the lost landscapes and civilizations of the past.
   • The potential for discovery in these submerged areas offers a fascinating glimpse into a hidden history.
6. The Sphinx & the Role of Water Erosion:
   • John Anthony West’s groundbreaking research on the Sphinx suggests that its weathering patterns are inconsistent with the conventional 2,500-year-old dating.
   • Professor Robert Schoch, a geologist, confirmed that the Sphinx’s erosion was caused by prolonged heavy rainfall, aligning with the climatic conditions of the younger Dryas event.
   • This evidence challenges established Egyptian history and suggests a much older origin for the Sphinx, potentially linking it to the lost civilization.
   • The Sphinx serves as a potent example of how re-examining ancient structures through a geological lens can shed new light on their origins and significance.
7. Balbec & the Enigmatic Megaliths:
   • Balbec, in Lebanon, is home to a massive megalithic complex that includes stones weighing over 900 tons, defying conventional explanations for how they were moved and placed.
   • The site predates the Roman period, suggesting a sophisticated civilization with advanced engineering capabilities.
   • The scale and complexity of Balbec, along with similar megalithic structures around the world, challenge current theories about the limitations of ancient technology.
   • Balbec is a compelling testament to the possibility of a lost civilization possessing advanced knowledge and skills.
8. The Torrid Meteor Stream & Its Connection to Human History:
   • The Torrid meteor stream, a vast debris field from a giant comet that entered the inner solar system 20,000 years ago, is believed to be a source of numerous cometary impacts on Earth.
   • The Comet Research Group suggests that impacts from the Torrid meteor stream have shaped human history, potentially causing the younger Dryas event, the Bronze Age collapse, and even the Tunguska event of 1908.
   • The stream’s cyclical nature poses a constant threat, highlighting the fragility of human civilization in the face of cosmic events.
   • The Torrid meteor stream represents a hidden hand in human history, prompting a reevaluation of our understanding of past cataclysms and their impact on civilization.
9. The Missoula Floods & the Evidence of Cataclysmic Change:
   • The Missoula Floods, a series of massive floods that occurred at the end of the last ice age, left behind a unique and dramatic landscape in the Pacific Northwest.
   • The scale of these floods, far exceeding any modern flood event, is evident in the giant current ripples, massive potholes, and giant boulders strewn across the region.
   • The Missoula Floods provide a tangible and compelling example of the cataclysmic changes that can reshape the Earth’s surface, highlighting the power of nature.
   • The floods serve as a powerful reminder of the potential for catastrophic events to significantly alter the course of human history.
10. The Fragility of Civilization & the Need for a New Environmental Consciousness:
    • The podcast emphasizes the fragility of human civilization in the face of both natural and self-inflicted threats.
    • The younger Dryas impact event and the Missoula Floods demonstrate the potential for catastrophic events to wipe out advanced civilizations, leaving only fragmented traces.
    • The podcast calls for a renewed environmental consciousness, one that acknowledges the dynamic nature of the Earth and our vulnerability to both cosmic and human-induced changes.
    • This new awareness is crucial for building a more resilient and sustainable future, one that can navigate the challenges posed by both natural disasters and the consequences of our own actions.
11. The Role of Amnesia in Human History:
    • The podcast suggests that human amnesia, both collective and individual, plays a significant role in shaping our understanding of the past.
    • The erasure of past civilizations by cataclysmic events, combined with our own active destruction of knowledge, has led to a fragmented and incomplete picture of our history.
    • Reclaiming our lost memory requires challenging established paradigms, exploring alternative explanations, and embracing the possibility of a deeper and more complex past.
    • Understanding our past amnesia is crucial for overcoming it and building a future grounded in a more accurate and complete understanding of our origins and potential.
12. Ancient Myths as Memories of Cataclysms:
    • The podcast draws parallels between ancient myths of floods, celestial events, and destruction and the scientific evidence of past cataclysms, suggesting that these myths may be remnants of real events encoded in human memory.
    • The widespread presence of flood myths across different cultures, often linked to celestial events, suggests a shared experience that has been passed down through generations.
    • The stories of Atlantis and the slaying of the celestial bull in ancient myths may reflect memories of cometary impacts and their consequences.
    • Re-examining these myths through a scientific lens can provide valuable insights into the past and potentially shed light on our vulnerability to future cataclysms.
13. The Role of DMT in Understanding Consciousness and the Universe:
    • The podcast explores the potential of DMT, a naturally occurring psychedelic compound, as a tool for exploring consciousness and accessing other realms of reality.
    • Rick Strassman’s groundbreaking research on DMT suggests that it can alter brain activity and potentially allow for communication with entities or intelligences beyond our normal perception.
    • The podcast argues that the study of DMT could offer insights into the nature of consciousness, the interconnectedness of the universe, and the possibility of other intelligences.
    • DMT, as a powerful tool for exploring the boundaries of perception, holds the potential for expanding our understanding of the universe and our place within it.
14. The Importance of Open-Mindedness and Dialogue:
    • The podcast emphasizes the importance of open-mindedness, critical thinking, and respectful dialogue in scientific exploration.
    • Hancock and Carlson advocate for a more inclusive and diverse approach to research, one that embraces heretics and challenges established paradigms.
    • They highlight the need for open lines of communication and engagement between different factions of society, including scientists, academics, and the general public.
    • Open-mindedness is crucial for fostering innovation, challenging assumptions, and embracing new discoveries that could lead to a better understanding of our world.
15. The Potential for a Paradigm Shift:
    • The podcast concludes with a sense of optimism, suggesting that a paradigm shift in our understanding of human history and our place in the cosmos is imminent.
    • The emerging evidence of a lost civilization, cataclysmic events, and the importance of consciousness challenges the current models and opens up new possibilities.
    • The podcast inspires listeners to embrace the unknown, to question established narratives, and to actively engage in the ongoing exploration of our past and future.
    • The potential for a paradigm shift offers a chance for a more enlightened and informed future, one that is grounded in a deeper understanding of our origins and our interconnectedness with the universe.

Memorable Quotes:

• “The prospect of a comet or asteroid cataclysm on the Earth is actually much higher than has been told to us up till now, and something can be done about it.” – Randall Carlson emphasizes the real and preventable threat posed by celestial bodies.
• “Cataclysms are the untold story of our past.” – Randall Carlson highlights the significant role of catastrophic events in shaping human history.
• “We need heretics. John has been the leading heretic on ancient Egypt for decades, pointing out that we should listen to what the ancient Egyptians said, that their civilization was not a development. It was a legacy.” – Joe Rogan emphasizes the importance of questioning established narratives and embracing alternative perspectives.
• “I think the alien thing is a bit of a distraction, but of course, there’s aliens. Of course, the universe is full of life. But the ancient archaeological sites are not good evidence for that idea.” – Graham Hancock acknowledges the possibility of extraterrestrial life but argues that ancient structures are more likely evidence of a lost human civilization.
• “I honestly feel like that’s where it’s going. I do, honestly. I’m optimistic.” – Graham Hancock expresses hope for a future where humanity embraces a deeper understanding of its past and potential.