JRE #226 – John Anthony West

This podcast delves into the intriguing world of ancient civilizations and challenges conventional wisdom about their origins and achievements. John Anthony West, an egyptologist known for his unconventional views, presents compelling evidence for a far older and more sophisticated human history than the traditional narrative allows. Provocative topics include the true age of the Sphinx, the existence of a lost civilization, the nature of consciousness and spirituality, and the flaws of mainstream scientific paradigms. Underlying themes explore the limitations of materialistic science, the importance of open-mindedness, the power of ancient wisdom, and the ongoing struggle to break free from restrictive paradigms.

Major Topics

1. The True Age of the Sphinx:
   • West challenges the conventional dating of the Sphinx to around 2500 BC, presenting evidence that it is significantly older, possibly as old as 36,000 BC.
   • He argues that the Sphinx’s water erosion, especially rainwater erosion, indicates a wetter climate in Egypt, long before the supposed emergence of civilization.
   • This re-dating would challenge the prevailing timeline of human civilization, suggesting that sophisticated societies existed far earlier than previously believed.
   • West’s work has been met with resistance from traditional egyptologists, highlighting the struggle to overturn established scientific paradigms.
2. Gobekli Tepe and a Lost Civilization:
   • Gobekli Tepe, an archaeological site in Turkey, offers evidence of an advanced civilization dating back to 10,000 BC, a time when no civilization was thought to exist.
   • The site features massive stone circles, elaborately decorated with carvings, requiring complex construction techniques.
   • West posits that Gobekli Tepe, along with other discoveries, supports the notion of a lost civilization that was more advanced than previously understood.
   • This evidence challenges the prevailing narrative of human history and suggests the possibility of a forgotten past.
3. The Role of Astrology and Ancient Wisdom:
   • West argues that ancient civilizations, particularly in Egypt, were deeply attuned to the cosmos and integrated astrology into their societal structures.
   • He criticizes modern materialistic science for dismissing astrology as superstition, claiming that it reflects a lack of understanding of the interconnectedness of the universe and our place within it.
   • West highlights the significance of ancient wisdom, arguing that it contains valuable insights into the nature of reality, spirituality, and consciousness.
   • He suggests that rediscovering these ancient principles can offer solutions to the challenges facing modern civilization.
4. The Mystery of the Pyramids:
   • West proposes that the pyramids of Egypt were not built solely by the pharaohs of the Old Kingdom but were constructed or modified over long periods, potentially spanning thousands of years.
   • He points to different styles of masonry within the pyramids, suggesting multiple construction phases.
   • The intricate construction techniques and the massive scale of the pyramids raise questions about the technology available to the ancient Egyptians.
   • West’s ideas challenge the accepted timeline of pyramid construction and raise the possibility of lost knowledge and advanced technologies.
5. The Sphinx’s African Heritage:
   • West suggests that the Sphinx’s face, particularly its profile, appears to be of Sub-Saharan African origin, indicating a possible connection to African civilizations.
   • This proposition challenges the traditional Egyptian narrative and raises questions about the cultural and racial dynamics of ancient Egypt.
   • The possibility of an African Sphinx, if proven, would alter our understanding of the Sphinx’s history and symbolism.
   • This topic highlights the potential for hidden history and the importance of reassessing assumptions about ancient civilizations.
6. The Evidence of Ancient Technology:
   • West explores the existence of ancient technologies, such as precise stone cutting and polishing techniques, which are difficult or impossible to replicate using modern methods.
   • He argues that these technologies suggest a level of sophistication that challenges our understanding of ancient capabilities.
   • The possibility of advanced technologies in ancient times raises questions about the nature of progress and the possibility of lost knowledge.
   • This topic highlights the ongoing debate about the limits of our understanding of ancient civilizations.
7. The Unconventional Theories of Zachariah Sitchin:
   • West criticizes Zachariah Sitchin’s theories, which posit that ancient Sumerian texts describe encounters with extraterrestrial beings called the Anunnaki who genetically engineered humans.
   • He argues that Sitchin’s interpretations are often flawed and that his ideas about ancient gods being aliens are simplistic and inaccurate.
   • West emphasizes the complexity of ancient mythology and the need for a nuanced understanding of its symbolic language.
   • This topic highlights the dangers of reducing ancient wisdom to simplistic explanations and the importance of critical analysis.
8. Challenging Darwinian Evolution:
   • West questions the validity of Darwinian natural selection as the primary driver of evolution.
   • He argues that the concept of natural selection is flawed in its language and that a more accurate understanding of evolution should embrace creativity and intelligence as inherent aspects of the universe.
   • West suggests that evolution is a directed process, guided by a creative intelligence, rather than a series of random events.
   • This topic delves into the philosophical and scientific debates surrounding the nature of evolution and the role of consciousness in the universe.
9. The Collapse of Civilization and the Need for Renaissance:
   • West expresses concerns about the future of civilization, highlighting trends toward societal decline and ecological degradation.
   • He encourages a re-examination of ancient wisdom and principles, arguing that they offer solutions to the challenges facing modern society.
   • He suggests that a spiritual renaissance is necessary to prevent a societal collapse and create a more sustainable and fulfilling future.
   • This topic explores the interconnectedness of societal, environmental, and spiritual well-being, and the potential for ancient wisdom to guide us toward a more conscious and harmonious future.

Memorable Quotes

• “I sometimes call myself a ‘road g typologist.'”
• “The sphinx with its lion’s body and human head screams out as an astronomical, astrological marker.”
• “For the sphinx to be water weathered and specifically by rainwater, means that it has to have been there when there was rain in Egypt.”
• “The fact won’t get into necessarily right now here though since we have an open ended We have an open ended show, and I have plenty of vodka and the freezer. I’ve been on for quite a while.”
• “The whole notion that we human beings, the creators not sentient, but some others did create the cathedral of shots down on the buildings, the temples of Egypt, and so on. And somehow are another diluted diluted primitives who were who were enslaved by by aliens and who then found a way to set themselves free, but remembered their alien backgrounds and commemorated them and all of this wonderful architecture. This is really stupid.”