Material civilization is defined as the culmination of inventions and discoveries that allow humans to improve their condition and control nature for their benefit.
The journey from savagery to civilization involves significant steps, each representing a conquest over nature. For example, the invention of the bow and arrow was a monumental leap, allowing early humans to hunt more effectively and satisfy their hunger.
Similarly, the discovery of fire and the subsequent invention of pottery and metallurgy marked significant advancements in human history.
Historical Progress of Civilization
Contrary to the belief that advancements happened rapidly, historical evidence suggests that thousands of years often passed between major inventions. Many modern savages have not yet achieved these ancient milestones, indicating the slow and arduous progress of civilization.
Legacy of Atlantis
Many essential arts and inventions date back to Atlantis or the ancient Egyptian civilization, which was an offshoot of Atlantis.
For six millennia, civilization made no substantial advancements beyond what was inherited from these ancient sources.
The torch of civilization passed from Phœnicia, Egypt, Chaldea, India, Greece, to Rome, without significant improvement in arts like architecture, metallurgy, and navigation until modern times.
Unchanging Ancient Civilization
Herodotus reported that Egyptian history spanned over 14,000 years before his era, suggesting a long-standing, unchanging civilization. The civilization of Egypt appeared fully mature from its earliest days, with advanced architecture, sculpture, and a monotheistic religion, later corrupted into polytheism.
Civilization – A shared Origin
The text argues that a primitive civilization must have existed for vast periods to create and develop the arts and knowledge that subsequent civilizations inherited.
The persistence of certain traits across Indo-European, Egyptian, and Chinese civilizations implies a shared origin from a deeply ancient, unified source.
Critique of Spontaneous Invention Theory
The idea that different civilizations independently invented the same technologies and customs is disputed.
Instead, it is suggested that all civilized nations have inherited these from an ancient, advanced civilization—Atlantis.
This is evidenced by the inability of many savage tribes to develop similar advancements independently, despite similar needs and opportunities.
Inherited Civilization
Every advanced civilization can trace its roots back to a common source—Atlantis.
This idea is supported by the inability of any savage race to develop civilization independently during the historic period. Even the Romans, Gauls, Goths, and Britons, though initially perceived as barbaric, possessed many elements of civilization inherited from earlier cultures.
Civilizational Continuity
The civilizations on both sides of the Atlantic—those in the Old World and the New World—show such remarkable similarities that they must have a common origin or have directly influenced each other.
The notion that different civilizations could develop identical inventions and customs independently is rejected as improbable.
Key Points:
- Material Civilization Defined: The result of inventions and discoveries that improve human conditions and control nature.
- Historical Development: Civilization progressed slowly over thousands of years, with significant milestones like the bow and arrow, fire, pottery, and metallurgy marking major advancements.
- Legacy of Atlantis: Many essential arts and technologies date back to Atlantis and early Egyptian civilization.
- Unchanging Ancient Civilization: Egyptian civilization appeared mature from its earliest days and remained relatively unchanged for millennia.
- Primordial Civilization: Civilization must have existed for vast periods to develop the arts and knowledge inherited by subsequent cultures.
- Critique of Spontaneous Invention: The idea that different civilizations independently invented the same technologies is disputed; instead, they inherited them from a common source.
- Inherited Civilization: Advanced civilizations trace their roots to a common source—Atlantis.
- Civilizational Continuity: Civilizations on both sides of the Atlantic show remarkable similarities, suggesting a common origin or direct influence.
