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Could the story of mankind be far older than we have previously believed? Using tools as varied as archaeo-astronomy, geology, and computer analysis of ancient myths, Graham Hancock presents a compelling case to suggest that it is. "A fancy piece of historical sleuthing . . . intriguing and entertaining and sturdy enough to give a long pause for thought."--Kirkus Reviews In Fingerprints of the Gods, Hancock embarks on a worldwide quest to put together all the pieces of the vast and fascinating jigsaw of mankind's hidden past. In ancient monuments as far apart as Egypt's Great Sphinx, the strange Andean ruins of Tihuanaco, and Mexico's awe-inspiring Temples of the Sun and Moon, he reveals not only the clear fingerprints of an as-yet-unidentified civilization of remote antiquity, but also startling evidence of its vast sophistication, technological advancement, and evolved scientific knowledge. A record-breaking number one bestseller in Britain, Fingerprints of the Gods contains the makings of an intellectual revolution, a dramatic and irreversible change in the way that we understand our past--and so our future. And Fingerprints of God tells us something more. As we recover the truth about prehistory, and discover the real meaning of ancient myths and monuments, it becomes apparent that a warning has been handed down to us, a warning of terrible cataclysm that afflicts the Earth in great cycles at irregular intervals of time--a cataclysm that may be about to recur. "Readers will hugely enjoy their quest in these pages of inspired storytelling."--The Times (UK)… (more)
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Von Daeniken had
This copy was signed by the author in Cardiff.
This is one of several of Hancock's books which expound upon the many evidences we have, that the orthodox understanding of ancient history is incorrect.
Not every piece of evidence in this book is absolute proof (in fact, I think he is just wrong on some points). Yet when you put it all together, it seems there is something we should look at more closely. Orthodoxy of all kinds should be questioned, especially in the face of conflicting information.
This work begins with an introduction to "the maps". For example, one wonderful map was found in 1929, in the Imperial Palace of Constantinople, (the library of which is neglected and remains unexplored to this day). The Piri Reis riparian chart clearly depicts the New World coastlines, as well as portions of Antarctica -- Queen Maud's Land -- which were under ice at the time of Admiral Reis's recopying efforts. Piri Reis, a reknowned officer in the navy of the Ottoman Turks [12]was beheaded by Islamic fanatics in 1554. Hence, the map appears to be a legacy of a "lost civilization" or at least a voyage we do not know much about.
And what explains the accuracy of the number of early maps used, for example, by Mercator (the pseudonym of Gerard Kremer), and which were not matched by the technologies of his peers in the 1560's? John Harrison's marine chronometer was not developed until 1761 [28].
The "gods" of the title do not appear to be divine. Maybe they were "Viracochas" -- the bearded ones from across the sea who pieced together the 100-ton polygonal block walls of Sacsayhuaman. Even when relying upon Watch Tower Tracts [499] and Christian psychics [Edgar Cayce, 500], Hancock does not pretend a personal contemporary contact with a transcendental God, or even a numinous experience.
Hancock's vivid and present-tense presentation -- "I'm in southern Peru, flying over the Nazca lines" -- reveals a man on a quest, and it is an honor to accompany him. Feel like Watson to Hancock's Holmes.
A very entertaining read and very thought provoking.
I was often bored in my studies of primitive culture. But this book has made me re-examine my own beliefs about the ancients, especially the way that the primitive was taught in school.
The way antiquities was taught in high school and college seemed so cleaned up, sterile that I lost interest in the history. But maybe there was more to the story. The book renewed interest in re-reading Herodotus and Marco Polo.
The one thing that was a stumbling block was that there was so much information that it was at times really really difficult to remember them all, and describe what I was reading to my wife and friends. Graham is so eager to share that he encumbers the reader to sort through all the factual debris.
Graham asks the reader, "If there is a cataclysmic deluge what does civilization do to preserve the historical record?" He examines the preservation through examining myths, oral story telling, architecture, universal languages, astronomy, and the location of lost civilizations. All in all I liked this book a lot and give it a hearty cluck cluck.
Note: 3.9 Stars so rounded to 4.
Full Points given to each value of the book.
Flow 4 5
Details add to Understanding 3 5
Useful 3 5
Introduction of topics 3 5
Book Design 4 5
Author Notes to Readers 4 5
Word Choice 4 5
"Content and Preocess Collaberate
for overall effect." 4 5
Sparks interest in Topic 5 5
Desire to Share with Others 5 5
39 50
Total # 78
Total Stars 3.9 4 Stars
Still it's hard not to get sucked in to the enthusiasm and travelogue sections. There's always that kernel of something interesting in the center and the connective tissues in familiar civilizational developments across the world just seems all too coincidental. Which is probably why he's been more successful the less he speaks about sound vibrations used for drilling or levitating blocks of rock with psychic powers.