PDF Summary:America Is the True Old World, by Amunhotep Chavis El-Bey

Amunhotep Chavis El-Bey challenges conventional narratives about human civilizations' origins in his book America Is the True Old World. He argues that ancient societies emerged first in the Americas, not Africa or the Middle East. The author cites linguistic, archaeological, and historical evidence supporting the Americas as the birthplace of agriculture, mummification, pyramid construction, and other hallmarks of early advanced cultures.

El-Bey proposes that the legendary lands of Atlantis, the biblical Garden of Eden, and Mount Meru—the spiritual axis of creation in ancient texts—were located in the Arctic regions of North America. He also suggests cultural ties between ancient American civilizations and societies across Asia, Africa, and the Mediterranean.

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• The Maya developed advanced engineering techniques, including the use of corbel arches in their architecture, which allowed them to create large interior spaces without the need for columns.

Historically, the Americas were known as "India Superior" or "Mu."

The author explores the idea that ancient civilizations originated in the Americas, suggesting that all cultures emerged from a single ancestral territory. He identifies the legendary territory situated in the Americas, specifically within the Arctic area of North America, and designates it using various names such as "the Greater India" or "Mu."

The cradle of civilization is believed to have been in the Arctic area of North America, often referred to as "India Superior" or "Mu."

The writer puts forth a challenging hypothesis suggesting that the birthplace of civilization may not be the commonly acknowledged fertile river valleys or temperate zones, but instead the severe Arctic area, thus challenging conventional geographic notions. He identifies a region encompassing parts of present-day Canada and Greenland as the location of the legendary "Mu," also referred to as a territory believed to have existed before cataclysmic events transformed the planet's topography.

Mount Meru serves as the essential connection between the spiritual and physical realms of the universe.

The author's primary contention is based on the significance of Mount Meru, an elusive mountain featured in numerous ancient writings as the world's pivotal axis, harmonizing the tangible, transcendental, and sacred realms. He positions Mount Meru firmly within the Arctic territory of North America, underscoring its significance both as a physical landmark and a center of deep spiritual relevance.

Context

• It is frequently represented in ancient texts as a golden mountain surrounded by concentric circles of land and sea, symbolizing the universe's structure.
• In many traditions, Mount Meru is described as the abode of gods and a place of divine harmony, where the physical and spiritual worlds intersect, allowing for the flow of cosmic energy.
• The idea of sacred geography involves mapping spiritual significance onto physical locations, often reinterpreting traditional narratives to fit new contexts or beliefs.

This area is often identified as the origin of the four rivers that are described in the biblical narrative of the Garden of Eden.

The author emphasizes the significance of the Arctic by describing it as the birthplace of humankind according to scriptural references. He suggests that the region often identified as the Greater Indian subcontinent, occasionally linked with the submerged land known as Mu, is the actual location of the scriptural paradise described as having four originating rivers. This perspective contends with conventional views of scriptural geography by positioning the Americas at the core of human beginnings.

Practical Tips

• You can explore your genealogy to connect with the concept of human origins. Start by using online genealogy services to trace your ancestry as far back as possible. This can give you a personal sense of connection to the past and potentially to the regions mentioned in the context of human origins.
• Start a garden inspired by the flora of the Indian subcontinent, selecting plants that are native to the region or similar in type. This hands-on approach allows you to connect with the concept of paradise through nurturing life and creating a personal space that reflects the lushness and biodiversity of the area described.
• Engage with local indigenous communities by attending cultural events, workshops, or lectures they organize. This direct interaction allows you to learn about the history and traditions from the perspective of those whose ancestors have been part of the Americas since time immemorial, enriching your understanding of the continent's role in human history.

The Olmec and Maya civilizations were essential components of the society referred to as "Mu."

The author examines the connections between ancient American cultures and a historically neglected continent. He proposes that the Maya and other groups originated from an ancient civilization known as "Mu," which also gave rise to the Olmec people.

The Olmec society was notable for its advanced knowledge of astronomical cycles, impressive architectural skills, and developed agricultural methods.

He underscores the advanced accomplishments of these civilizations, especially noting the Olmec and Maya for their profound insights into astronomy, mathematics, architecture, and agriculture. The author argues that the intricacy observed must have originated from a previously established, advanced civilization, namely Mu. He proposes that these societies belonged to an ancient and expansive civilization that encompassed the whole American landmass.

Context

• The Olmec's ability to predict celestial events would have been essential for their agricultural society, allowing them to determine the best times for planting and harvesting crops.
• The Olmecs constructed ceremonial centers, such as La Venta and San Lorenzo, which featured complex layouts with pyramids, plazas, and altars, indicating advanced urban planning and architectural design.
• They practiced slash-and-burn agriculture, a method that involves cutting and burning plants in a forest or woodland to create fields for crops, which helped maintain soil fertility.
• The Maya used a vigesimal (base-20) number system and were among the first to conceptualize zero, which was crucial for their calendar calculations and architectural planning.
• Modern archaeology attributes the achievements of the Olmec and Maya to their own innovations and developments, rather than influence from a lost civilization like Mu.
• The concept of Mu is a hypothetical lost continent proposed by 19th-century writers, suggesting it was located in the Pacific Ocean and was the origin of several ancient civilizations, though it lacks scientific evidence.

A multitude of archaic societies globally embraced the lore, emblems, and spiritual customs that emerged from the region traditionally referred to as India.

The writer highlights the prevalence of shared motifs, sacred iconography, and traditional rituals among various early societies worldwide, proposing that such resemblances point to a shared lineage instead of random chance. He proposes that a multitude of these shared cultural aspects, including the veneration of serpents, sophisticated celestial understanding, and legends of great floods, have their roots in Mu, spreading globally through its progeny. He argues that by examining the diffusion of cultural customs, one can understand the similarities between various ancient societies.

Context

• Indian art and religious symbols, such as the lotus, swastika, and mandala, have been adopted and adapted by various cultures worldwide.
• The concept of cultural diffusion explains how cultural beliefs and social activities spread through different societies. This can occur through trade, migration, conquest, or other forms of contact, leading to shared motifs and rituals.
• Legends of great floods are found in numerous cultures, including the Mesopotamian Epic of Gilgamesh, the biblical story of Noah's Ark, and Hindu texts describing the flood of Manu. These myths often symbolize renewal and divine intervention.
• Artifacts, architecture, and ancient texts provide evidence of cultural exchanges, showing how societies influenced each other over time.

The territories currently known as the Americas were once acknowledged as remote eastern lands or the Indies.

The author presents evidence from language and maps to support the claim that the Americas were indeed the genuine "India Superior." He suggests that ancient records once identified the Americas as a collective of Indies, signifying an acknowledged link between the Eastern and Western hemispheres that has since faded from widespread awareness.

Historical maps and documents refer to certain regions within the Americas as "India Superior" and "the Orient."

El-Bey introduces ancient cartography and documents that predate Columbus's journey, indicating that specific regions within the Americas were recognized as territories similar to "India Superior" and areas analogous to "the Orient." He challenges the association of certain names with the Americas despite the lack of prior knowledge or connections to those regions. He suggests that maps and written records from that era indicate a time when the Americas were recognized as the authentic East.

Practical Tips

• Enhance your understanding of historical context by writing a short story set in the era when these terms were commonly used. Choose a character, perhaps a mapmaker or explorer, and weave the terms "India Superior" and "the Orient" into their narrative. This creative exercise will help you internalize the historical significance of these terms and their implications for cultural and geographical understanding.
• Create a visual timeline of cartographic discoveries using online tools like a timeline maker. Start with the earliest known maps and work your way to modern satellite imagery. This activity will help you visualize the progression of geographical knowledge and understand the context in which maps were created. You could include notable events like the voyages of different explorers and how their discoveries changed the world map.
• Engage with your community by starting a conversation about the names of local landmarks and streets on social media. Encourage your friends and neighbors to share stories or historical facts they know about these places. This could lead to a collaborative map of your area annotated with historical insights, fostering a collective awareness of your community's heritage.
• Create a themed art project that represents alternative historical narratives. Using mixed media, such as collage or painting, incorporate elements that symbolize the concept of the Americas as the true East. This hands-on activity allows you to engage with history creatively and can serve as a conversation starter about the fluidity of historical perspectives.

A multitude of Native American civilizations exhibited cultural and linguistic connections that can be traced back to ancient societies from the Indian subcontinent, as suggested by archaeological and linguistic evidence.

The author strengthens his case by citing archaeological discoveries and linguistic research that demonstrate significant similarities between Native American cultures and those of ancient Indian civilizations. He highlights shared cultural practices, religious beliefs, and even linguistic roots, suggesting a deep and ancient connection that transcends geographical boundaries. Amunhotep Chavis El-Bey suggests that the connection strengthens the claim that the term "India" was originally used to describe the Americas.

Practical Tips

• Create a fusion recipe that combines elements of Native American and ancient Indian cuisines. Research traditional ingredients and cooking methods from both cultures and experiment with blending them into a single dish. This culinary exploration can be a tangible way to experience the cultural connections.
• Start a themed book club focused on literature by Native American and Indian authors. By reading and discussing works from both cultures, you and your book club members can gain a deeper understanding of shared themes, narratives, and perspectives that might reflect historical connections. Choose a diverse range of genres, from folklore to contemporary fiction, to cover a broad spectrum of cultural expressions.
• Start a language exchange partnership with speakers of Native American and ancient Indian languages. Use online platforms to connect with language learners or speakers interested in mutual linguistic and cultural exchange. Through regular conversations, you can gain insights into the structural and lexical similarities between the languages.

The connections between the Americas and ancient societies, including Egypt, the Indus Valley, and Mesopotamia.

The author's contention explores the deep examination of intertwined pasts and impacts between ancient American cultures and other significant civilizations, including those of Mesopotamia, the river valley of the Nile, and the subcontinent of India, thus challenging the commonly recognized sequence of historical occurrences.

The Americas are home to artifacts and architectural styles that closely mirror those of ancient Egypt.

The author presents compelling parallels, emphasizing how artifacts and architectural styles across the Americas bear resemblance to those of ancient Egypt, suggesting the potential for cultural exchange or shared ancestry. He argues that these similarities are too numerous and too specific to be mere coincidence.

The discovery of numerous artifacts across the American continents, bearing resemblance to those of Sumer, indicates a substantial influence of this ancient civilization in these areas.

Amunhotep Chavis El-Bey constructs a compelling case by highlighting a variety of artifacts across the Americas that reflect similar ones discovered in the Sumerian civilization. The discovery of artifacts adorned with cuneiform script and depictions of Sumerian deities suggests that the society credited with the inception of writing and key aspects of cultural progress may have extended its impact to the Western Hemisphere. Amunhotep Chavis El-Bey scrutinizes the conventional narrative regarding the uncovering of the American continents by analyzing relics scattered across the Americas.

Other Perspectives

• The dating of artifacts is crucial, and without precise and reliable dating methods, it is difficult to establish a clear connection between Sumer and the American continents.
• The interpretation of artifacts is subjective and can be influenced by confirmation bias, where researchers see what they expect to find rather than what is actually present.
• The presence of cuneiform script or depictions of deities on artifacts in the Americas could be coincidental or the result of later contact with other cultures that had interacted with the Sumerians, rather than evidence of Sumerian presence in the Americas.
• The focus on scrutinizing the conventional narrative may overlook the rich and diverse indigenous histories of the Americas that developed independently of outside influence.

The construction of the Cholula pyramid in Mexico is remarkably similar to the way the Tower of Babel is depicted in the Bible.

El-Bey strengthens his argument by highlighting that the edifice known as the Tower of Babel in biblical texts is actually the same as the Cholula pyramid located in Mexico. He argues that this similarity in structure and purpose suggests a connection between ancient Mesoamerican cultures and the biblical narrative, implying a shared history or cultural exchange.

Other Perspectives

• The biblical narrative of the Tower of Babel serves as a moral story about hubris and divine retribution, which may not align with the cultural and religious purposes of the Cholula pyramid.
• Similarity in structure does not necessarily imply a direct connection, as convergent evolution in architecture can lead to similar solutions to common problems independently.
• The concept of a shared history or cultural exchange between ancient Mesoamerica and the biblical narrative lacks substantial evidence, as there is no historical record of contact between the two civilizations during the relevant periods.

The Americas are acknowledged to be the true place that Plato described as Atlantis.

El-Bey explores ancient myths and suggests that the legendary Atlantis, an island nation mentioned by Plato, was actually located on the American continent.

The Americas display evidence of an advanced civilization, evoking the legendary Atlantis with its harbor designed in concentric circles.

El-Bey meticulously analyzes Plato's stories of the fabled "Atlantis," identifying specific elements he argues align with the geographic features and cultural achievements found across the Americas. He emphasizes the existence of a port featuring a spiral design, as Plato described, and points to evidence of advanced cultures in the Americas that existed before other known ancient civilizations.

Context

• Before European contact, the Americas were home to several advanced civilizations, such as the Maya, Aztec, and Inca, known for their achievements in architecture, mathematics, and astronomy.
• Some scholars draw parallels between the myths and legends of indigenous American cultures and the story of Atlantis, suggesting possible shared themes or historical connections.
• Extensive trade routes existed across the Americas, facilitating the exchange of goods, ideas, and technologies over vast distances.
• Spirals are a common motif in many ancient cultures, symbolizing concepts like growth, evolution, and the cyclical nature of life. In the Americas, spiral designs appear in various indigenous art and architecture, such as petroglyphs and ceremonial structures.
• This civilization in coastal Peru (circa 3500–1800 BCE) is one of the oldest in the Americas, known for its monumental architecture and early development of agriculture.

The word "Atlantis" is etymologically linked to the Americas, which is apparent from the designation of the ocean known as "Atlantic" and places like "Atlanta."

El-Bey bolsters the link between the fabled Atlantis and the New World by examining the linguistic origins, proposing that the term "Atlantis" has an etymological link to the Americas. He proposes that the names "Atlantic Ocean" and "Atlanta" are subtle linguistic indicators hinting at the true location of the legendary "Atlantis." He suggests that these names are not just coincidental but rather vestiges of a forgotten past connecting the Americas with the legendary island domain.

Other Perspectives

• The city of "Atlanta" in Georgia, USA, was named after the Western and Atlantic Railroad or possibly after the mythological figure of Atalanta, not the mythical Atlantis.
• Linguistic indicators are not reliable evidence for geographical locations, especially when dealing with mythological places, as the names and stories can be repurposed or coincidental across different cultures and time periods.
• The Atlantic Ocean was named by ancient civilizations long before the discovery of the Americas by Europeans, which suggests that the name was not intended to reference the Americas.
• Etymological connections are often coincidental and do not necessarily indicate a historical or cultural link.
• The story of Atlantis comes from Plato's dialogues, where it is described as being opposite the Pillars of Hercules, commonly identified as the Strait of Gibraltar, not the Americas.
• The theory does not account for the vast differences in language and culture between the ancient civilizations that Plato described and the indigenous peoples of the Americas.

The theory posits that the origins of ancient India and Hinduism can be traced back to the Americas.

The author presents a compelling case, proposing that the origins of Hinduism, commonly associated with India, actually lie in the Americas.

The book suggests that the Western Hemisphere is the source of India's linguistic, religious, and cultural beginnings.

He emphasizes the striking similarities in language, religious convictions, and traditions between the Americas and ancient India. He identifies shared deities, religious practices, and even linguistic similarities in the Sanskrit language and certain Native American languages, suggesting a deeper, more ancient connection than previously acknowledged. The author suggests that Hinduism first emerged in the Americas before spreading to India.

Other Perspectives

• The diffusionist theory, which suggests that all cultural advances originated from one source and spread outwards, is largely discredited in favor of acknowledging the independent development of civilizations.
• The theory overlooks the well-documented Indo-European migrations that are widely accepted by scholars as the source of linguistic and cultural influence in ancient India.
• The linguistic evidence may be overemphasized or misinterpreted, as languages can develop similar features through processes like convergence or borrowing from third sources.
• Genetic studies have shown that the majority of the Indian subcontinent's population derives from ancient local populations, with minimal genetic input from the Americas.
• Archaeological findings in India, such as the remains of the Indus Valley Civilization, provide substantial material evidence of Hinduism's early development in the Indian subcontinent, with no such parallel evidence in the Americas.

The symbols and mythological figures from Hinduism, such as the swastika and the divine figure of Krishna, are remarkably similar to those discovered in the remnants of early American societies.

Amunhotep Chavis bolsters his argument by highlighting the similarities between the symbolic figures and mythological entities central to Hinduism and those found in the spiritual traditions of ancient American societies, particularly among the indigenous Maya people. He asserts that the presence of the swastika, a symbol revered in Hindu culture and also significant in ancient American customs, is not coincidental. He also draws connections between the Hindu avatar Krishna and certain Mesoamerican deities, suggesting that these figures share a common origin and point to a shared religious history that spans from the Americas to India.

Practical Tips

• Foster a dialogue on shared symbols through social media by starting a hashtag campaign that encourages people to share their own interpretations or experiences with these symbols. For example, you could use a hashtag like #SymbolicConnections and invite others to post pictures or thoughts on how they see the convergence of Hindu and early American symbols in their own lives or in public spaces. This can create a community-driven exploration of cultural intersections.
• Read literature or watch documentaries from Hindu and ancient American perspectives that feature the swastika. This can broaden your understanding of how the symbol is integrated into storytelling and visual narratives. By consuming media that portrays the swastika within its cultural context, you can appreciate its role beyond the negative associations it has in the West.
• Engage with the concept through creative writing by composing a short story or play that intertwines elements from both Krishna's tales and Mesoamerican mythology. Focus on crafting a narrative that blends the characteristics, adventures, and lessons from both traditions, offering a new perspective on their potential commonalities.
• Create a personal meditation routine that draws upon the spiritual practices from both Hindu and Mayan traditions. You might include yoga poses named after Hindu deities alongside Mayan-inspired chants or music. This synthesis of practices can offer a unique spiritual experience that reflects the thematic connections you're exploring, and it can be done in the comfort of your home without any special skills or tools.
• Engage in a cultural exchange with someone who practices Hinduism or follows ancient American spiritual traditions. Use social media or community forums to connect with individuals or groups who are open to sharing their spiritual experiences. Set up a virtual meeting or an in-person coffee chat to discuss your findings and learn directly from their experiences. This direct interaction can provide you with a richer perspective on the similarities between these spiritual paths.