What was the Minotaur? Did a Welsh prince discover America? Did Robin Hood really exist? How does the Star of Bethlehem fit into the science of astronomy? Is the Vinland Map a fake? Can archaeologists use spirit messages to guide their work? For centuries, philosophers, scientists, and charlatans have attempted to decipher the baffling mysteries of our past, from the Stonehenge to the lost continent of Atlantis. Today, however, DNA testing, radiocarbon dating, and other cutting-edge investigative tools, together with a healthy dose of common sense, are guiding us closer to the truth. Peter James and Nick Thorpe, the professional historian and archaeologist team who created the acclaimed Ancient Inventions, now tackle these age-old conundrums, presenting the latest information from the scientific community--and the most startling challenges to traditional explanations of mysteries such as: - The rise and fall of the Maya - A lost cache of Dead Sea Scrolls - The curse of Tutankhamun - The devastation of Sodom and Gomorrah - The Nazca Lines These true mystery stories twist and turn like a good whodunit, as James and Thorpe present the evidence for and against the expert theories, shedding new light on humankind's age-old struggle to make sense of the past. The authors also make dramatic contributions of their own to the fray, demonstrating persuasively that cataustrophic events--including the collisions of comets with the Earth long ago--could explain puzzles that have baffled experts for centuries. Ancient Mysteries will entertain and enlighten, delight the curious and inform the serious.

Zeus and the other gods of shining Olympus were in reality divine only by popular consent. Over the course of time Olympian luster diminished in favor of religious experiences more immediate to the concerns of people living in an increasingly cosmopolitan ancient world. These experiences were provided by the mysteries, religions that flourished particularly during the Hellenistic period and were secretly practiced by groups of adherents who decided, through personal choice, to be initiated into the profound realities of one deity or another. Unlike the official state religions, in which people were expected to make an outward show of allegiance to the local gods, the mysteries emphasized an inwardness and privacy of worship within a closed band of initiates. In this book, Marvin W. Meyer explores the sacrifices and prayers, the public celebrations and secret ceremonies, the theatrical performances and literary works, the gods and goddesses that were a part of the mystery religions of Greece in the seventh century B.C. to the Judaism and Christianity of the Roman world of the seventh century A.D.

In the early ages occult knowledge was taught openly, as the sciences are taught in our colleges to-day. But in the course of time many allowed their selfishness to rule and so abused their power that it became necessary to withhold such knowledge from the unworthy. This was the condition of religious affairs when the Mysteries were necessarily established by the King-Priests of the Divine Dynasties, in the early days of Atlantis.-from "The Origin of the Mysteries"Though the author cannot, alas, "lift the veil from the secrets of the Order," 32nd-degree Freemason Charles H. Vail endeavors to lead the curious toward a more complete understanding of the ancient knowledge of the eternal truth of the universe of which the Masons are the keepers. From the great antiquity of Masonic symbols and traditions to the formation of the organization with their perpetuation as its goal, this 1909 book is an intriguing glimpse inside one of the most secretive fraternities in existence. It is required reading for those fascinated by arcane wisdom and secret societies.

Popular Lost Cities author David Hatcher Childress takes to the road again in search of lost cities and ancient mysteries. This time he is off to the American Southwest, traversing the region’s deserts, mountains and forests investigating archeological mysteries and the unexplained. Join David as he starts in northern Mexico and searches for the lost mines of the Aztecs. He continues north to west Texas, delving into the mysteries of Big Bend, including mysterious Phoenician tablets discovered there and the strange lights of Marfa. He continues northward into New Mexico where he stumbles upon a hollow mountain with a billion dollars of gold bars hidden deep inside it! In Arizona he investigates tales of Egyptian catacombs in the Grand Canyon, cruises along the Devil’s Highway, and tackles the century-old mystery of the Superstition Mountains and the Lost Dutchman mine. In Nevada and California Childress checks out the rumors of mummified giants and weird tunnels in Death Valley, plus he searches the Mohave Desert for the mysterious remains of ancient dwellers alongside lakes that supposedly dried up tens of thousands of years ago. It’s a full-tilt blast down the back roads of the Southwest in search of the weird and wondrous mysteries of the past!

In 'The Lost Lemuria - The Story of the Lost Civilization', William Scott-Elliot delves into the fascinating world of ancient civilizations, focusing on the mysterious land of Lemuria. Through detailed research and a captivating narrative, Scott-Elliot explores the history, culture, and eventual downfall of this lost civilization. Drawing on esoteric knowledge and ancient texts, the book offers a unique insight into a forgotten era, making it a valuable resource for those interested in ancient mysteries and legends. The author's academic style and attention to detail add credence to the intriguing theories presented in the book. William Scott-Elliot, a respected Theosophist and author, brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to 'The Lost Lemuria', having studied ancient civilizations and esoteric traditions extensively. His interest in metaphysical subjects and occult teachings led him to explore the concept of lost civilizations, resulting in this enlightening work. I highly recommend 'The Lost Lemuria' to readers who are intrigued by ancient history, mythology, and esoteric teachings. Scott-Elliot's meticulous research and engaging writing style make this book a must-read for anyone fascinated by the mysteries of the past.

This book situates Tarot in its ancient roots, with particular emphasis on the tradition of the Mystery Schools. The suites are designated as "Earth, Water, Air and Fire" rather than the conventional Pentacles, Cups, Swords and Wands. The first part of the book is a review of the ancient sources of Tarot and the dynamics of the archetypes, with interesting sidelights on the author's personal experiences in this realm. The reader is instructed by The Magician, The Priestess and The Hermit about the meanings and wisdom of Tarot, which he discovers to be a "Book of Truth."

First published in 1910, “Ancient Mysteries and Modern Revelations” explores religion and its influences throughout human history and culture, considering the differences and similarities between different religious beliefs and legends from the earliest times to modernity. This fascinating volume will appeal to those with an interest in mankind's relationship with religion, as well as the development of ideas connected with the subject. Contents include: “Bibles Under Modern searchlight”, “Rivers of the Life or Faiths of Man in All Lands”, “Ancient and Modern Ideas of Revelation”, “Various Spiritual Elements in the Bible and Classic Literature”, “Creation Legends—How Ancient is Humanity on this Plant?”, “Hindu Chronology”, “Egypt and Its Wonders: Literally and Mystically Considered”, etc. Many vintage books such as this are becoming increasingly scarce and expensive. We are republishing this volume now in an affordable, modern, high-quality edition complete with the original text and artwork.

The ancient Mysteries have long attracted the interest of scholars, an interest that goes back at least to the time of the Reformation. After a period of interest around the turn of the twentieth century, recent decades have seen an important study of Walter Burkert (1987). Yet his thematic approach makes it hard to see how the actual initiation into the Mysteries took place. To do precisely that is the aim of this book. It gives a ‘thick description’ of the major Mysteries, not only of the famous Eleusinian Mysteries, but also those located at the interface of Greece and Anatolia: the Mysteries of Samothrace, Imbros and Lemnos as well as those of the Corybants. It then proceeds to look at the Orphic-Bacchic Mysteries, which have become increasingly better understood due to the many discoveries of new texts in the recent times. Having looked at classical Greece we move on to the Roman Empire, where we study not only the lesser Mysteries, which we know especially from Pausanias, but also the new ones of Isis and Mithras. We conclude our book with a discussion of the possible influence of the Mysteries on emerging Christianity. Its detailed references and up-to-date bibliography will make this book indispensable for any scholar interested in the Mysteries and ancient religion, but also for those scholars who work on initiation or esoteric rituals, which were often inspired by the ancient Mysteries.

Ancient calendars found around the world are designed to end one point in time. They communicate an urgent warning to everyone alive today! Complex bronze and gold clocks with multiple dials are found in museums around the world. Why they have such advanced intricacy has stumped scientists for hundreds of years.This book reveals why the ancients built so many pyramids, observatories as well as those complex gold and bronze clocks with more than one dial. It surprised me greatly to discover that their various complex designs in one way or another converge on 21 December 2012. It amazes me that ancient cultures separated by thousands of miles of geography and thousands of years in chronology agree so precisely in the cyclical nature of time, history and prophecy, which is history written in advance. The most famous example is the Mayan-Aztec calendar, which ends its 25,626-year cycle on that momentous date. Some researchers have also found 21 December 2012 in what is called, the Bible Code. Using very different research methods, I discovered it in the Bible's book of Revelation and Daniel's prophecies. It is one of the most important dates in the plan of God for all humanity!

The first (unauthorised) literary companion to the mysteries behind Dan Brown's latest blockbuster, THE LOST SYMBOL. From the bestselling Secrets team. Delve into a whole new world of secret societies, ancient mysteries, hidden symbols, new-age philosophy and cutting-edge science ... Discover: the role the Freemasons played in US history; the 'real' Katherine Solomon; the true background of the 'Ancient Mysteries'; the reality of Noetic science and much more ... Presenting ideas from world renowned historians, code-breakers, symbologists, theologians, philosophers and scientists, Burstein and de Keijzer break through the web of conspiracies, mythologies, encrypted signs and alternate histories. SECRETS OF THE LOST SYMBOL is a must-read for anyone who wants to separate reality, speculation, fact and fiction in Dan Brown's global phenomenon.