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Atlantis and the Kingdom of the Neanderthals: 100,000 Years of Lost History
The history of Neanderthal influence from Atlantis to the contemporary era
• Provides evidence of Neanderthal man’s superior intelligence
• Explores the unexplained scientific and architectural feats of ancient civilizations
• Presents an alternative history of humankind since 7500 B.C. with an emphasis on esoteric traditions and the history of Christianity from the Essenes onward
In Atlantis and the Kingdom of the Neanderthals Colin Wilson presents evidence of a widespread Neanderthal civilization as the origin of sophisticated ancient knowledge. Examining remarkable archaeological discoveries that date back millennia, he suggests that civilization on Earth is far older than we have previously realized. Using this information as a springboard, Wilson then fills in the gaps in the past 100,000 years of human history, providing answers to previously unexplained scientific and architectural feats of ancient civilizations.
Wilson shows that not only did Atlantis exist but that the civilizing force behind it was the Neanderthals. Far from being the violent brutes they are traditionally depicted as, Wilson shows that the Neanderthals had sophisticated mathematical and astrological knowledge, including an understanding of the precession of the equinoxes, and that they possessed advanced telepathic abilities akin to the “group consciousness” evident in flocks of birds and schools of fish. These abilities, he demonstrates, have been transmitted through the ages by the various keepers of the hermetic tradition--including the Templars, Freemasons, and other secret societies. In the course of his investigation, Wilson also finds new information about historical links between the Masonic tradition and the Essenes that indicate that America was “discovered” long before Columbus set sail and that Jesus actually survived crucifixion and fled to France with his wife Mary Magdalene.
• Provides evidence of Neanderthal man’s superior intelligence
• Explores the unexplained scientific and architectural feats of ancient civilizations
• Presents an alternative history of humankind since 7500 B.C. with an emphasis on esoteric traditions and the history of Christianity from the Essenes onward
In Atlantis and the Kingdom of the Neanderthals Colin Wilson presents evidence of a widespread Neanderthal civilization as the origin of sophisticated ancient knowledge. Examining remarkable archaeological discoveries that date back millennia, he suggests that civilization on Earth is far older than we have previously realized. Using this information as a springboard, Wilson then fills in the gaps in the past 100,000 years of human history, providing answers to previously unexplained scientific and architectural feats of ancient civilizations.
Wilson shows that not only did Atlantis exist but that the civilizing force behind it was the Neanderthals. Far from being the violent brutes they are traditionally depicted as, Wilson shows that the Neanderthals had sophisticated mathematical and astrological knowledge, including an understanding of the precession of the equinoxes, and that they possessed advanced telepathic abilities akin to the “group consciousness” evident in flocks of birds and schools of fish. These abilities, he demonstrates, have been transmitted through the ages by the various keepers of the hermetic tradition--including the Templars, Freemasons, and other secret societies. In the course of his investigation, Wilson also finds new information about historical links between the Masonic tradition and the Essenes that indicate that America was “discovered” long before Columbus set sail and that Jesus actually survived crucifixion and fled to France with his wife Mary Magdalene.
- GenresHistoryNonfictionAncient
336 pages, Paperback
First published June 27, 2006
About the author
Colin Wilson
458 books1,300 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Colin Henry Wilson was born and raised in Leicester, England, U.K. He left school at 16, worked in factories and various occupations, and read in his spare time. When Wilson was 24, Gollancz published The Outsider (1956) which examines the role of the social 'outsider' in seminal works of various key literary and cultural figures. These include Albert Camus, Jean-Paul Sartre, Ernest Hemingway, Hermann Hesse, Fyodor Dostoyevsky, William James, T. E. Lawrence, Vaslav Nijinsky and Vincent Van Gogh and Wilson discusses his perception of Social alienation in their work. The book was a best seller and helped popularize existentialism in Britain. Critical praise though, was short-lived and Wilson was soon widely criticized.
Wilson's works after The Outsider focused on positive aspects of human psychology, such as peak experiences and the narrowness of consciousness. He admired the humanistic psychologist Abraham Maslow and corresponded with him. Wilson wrote The War Against Sleep: The Philosophy of Gurdjieff on the life, work and philosophy of G. I. Gurdjieff and an accessible introduction to the Greek-Armenian mystic in 1980. He argues throughout his work that the existentialist focus on defeat or nausea is only a partial representation of reality and that there is no particular reason for accepting it. Wilson views normal, everyday consciousness buffeted by the moment, as "blinkered" and argues that it should not be accepted as showing us the truth about reality. This blinkering has some evolutionary advantages in that it stops us from being completely immersed in wonder, or in the huge stream of events, and hence unable to act. However, to live properly we need to access more than this everyday consciousness. Wilson believes that our peak experiences of joy and meaningfulness are as real as our experiences of angst and, since we are more fully alive at these moments, they are more real. These experiences can be cultivated through concentration, paying attention, relaxation and certain types of work.
Colin Henry Wilson was born and raised in Leicester, England, U.K. He left school at 16, worked in factories and various occupations, and read in his spare time. When Wilson was 24, Gollancz published The Outsider (1956) which examines the role of the social 'outsider' in seminal works of various key literary and cultural figures. These include Albert Camus, Jean-Paul Sartre, Ernest Hemingway, Hermann Hesse, Fyodor Dostoyevsky, William James, T. E. Lawrence, Vaslav Nijinsky and Vincent Van Gogh and Wilson discusses his perception of Social alienation in their work. The book was a best seller and helped popularize existentialism in Britain. Critical praise though, was short-lived and Wilson was soon widely criticized.
Wilson's works after The Outsider focused on positive aspects of human psychology, such as peak experiences and the narrowness of consciousness. He admired the humanistic psychologist Abraham Maslow and corresponded with him. Wilson wrote The War Against Sleep: The Philosophy of Gurdjieff on the life, work and philosophy of G. I. Gurdjieff and an accessible introduction to the Greek-Armenian mystic in 1980. He argues throughout his work that the existentialist focus on defeat or nausea is only a partial representation of reality and that there is no particular reason for accepting it. Wilson views normal, everyday consciousness buffeted by the moment, as "blinkered" and argues that it should not be accepted as showing us the truth about reality. This blinkering has some evolutionary advantages in that it stops us from being completely immersed in wonder, or in the huge stream of events, and hence unable to act. However, to live properly we need to access more than this everyday consciousness. Wilson believes that our peak experiences of joy and meaningfulness are as real as our experiences of angst and, since we are more fully alive at these moments, they are more real. These experiences can be cultivated through concentration, paying attention, relaxation and certain types of work.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 20, 2021
"...all the complexities and contradictions of human existence suddenly resolved in a simple vision of wholeness."Colin Wilson lets his Unsolved Mysteries - Ancient Astronauts freak flag fly and it's all so fascinating and fun, albeit occasionally eyerolling. Besides his many works of true crime, mystery, horror, and science fiction, he was apparently also known to the British public as an amateur archeologist of the strange and the unknown, appearing on and hosting many a BBC documentary with subjects mainly having to do with the diverse mysteries that continue to live on in our world. This is a book of adventure, often of the body, traveling to various exotic locales, but mainly of the mind, exploring new ways of looking at history and the ways of the world. And he delivers all of these adventures and musings and often bizarre conclusions in a straightforward, conversational, very earnest way - rather different from the voice he used in his fiction, but sharing the same seriousness and the same unashamedly intellectual bent. Enjoyable stuff!
Could it be that...
◎ Atlantean refugees settled throughout the world, forming some of our more advanced societies?
Δ Vibrating sand can reveal ancient Eyptian religious symbols?
☢ Yull Brown created a gas that can vaporize metals and absorb radiation cleanly?
☂ There were actually three Great Floods, one of them caused by a meteor shower?
☥ Egyptian iconography can be found in Peru?
☄ The Ancient Mayans understood much of what we now know about astronomy?
☤ DNA looks like the drawings of intertwined snakes found across many archaic civilizations?
♛ The modern Freemasons can trace their history right back to the Templar Knights?
✞ Jesus & Mary Magdalene moved to France, had a child, and died there?
۞ Isotopes were described by occultists before they were discovered by scientists?
Ω Neanderthal science and shamanic culture may have existed before the Ice Age?
I didn't know any of this! Is any of it true? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
"It occurred to me that I knew everything."
-Robert Graves, recalling a sudden vision that came to him as a boy, and that just as suddenly left him. Alas for lost visions!
April 15, 2008
This is a hard review to write. Did I enjoy reading Atlantis and the Kingdom of the Neanderthals? Absolutely, without a doubt. Did I feel that the author made a good case for a connection between Atlantis and Neanderthals? No, not really. He never really got to that part in any real depth.
I started reading Atlantis and the Kingdom of the Neanderthals with great interest and enthusiasm. The author discussed the concepts that in the past our continental plates have shifted and that the earth's tilt has also changed. These are scientific facts that most people learn in high school. I was eager to see an examination of this movement as relates to Antarctica, how the author would place Neanderthals on Antarctica, how he would connect the two.
Unfortunately, the book quickly evolved in an attempt to present as much information as possible about every ancient mystery know to man: the pyramids of the Piri Reis map, Egypt, Mu, the Biblical floods, the man in the iron mask, the death of Jesus, and the Priory of Sion. Information about these topics ranged from scientific reports and solid data collection methodology to popular ancient mystery books and PBS specials to hearsay and theories by author friends.
My best advice is that you don't pick up this book because you wish to find out the connection between Atlantis and Neanderthals. Instead, pick up this book because it is full of interesting theories, summaries of information collected about a number of ancient mysteries, and contains a really great bibliography of like minded material.
I started reading Atlantis and the Kingdom of the Neanderthals with great interest and enthusiasm. The author discussed the concepts that in the past our continental plates have shifted and that the earth's tilt has also changed. These are scientific facts that most people learn in high school. I was eager to see an examination of this movement as relates to Antarctica, how the author would place Neanderthals on Antarctica, how he would connect the two.
Unfortunately, the book quickly evolved in an attempt to present as much information as possible about every ancient mystery know to man: the pyramids of the Piri Reis map, Egypt, Mu, the Biblical floods, the man in the iron mask, the death of Jesus, and the Priory of Sion. Information about these topics ranged from scientific reports and solid data collection methodology to popular ancient mystery books and PBS specials to hearsay and theories by author friends.
My best advice is that you don't pick up this book because you wish to find out the connection between Atlantis and Neanderthals. Instead, pick up this book because it is full of interesting theories, summaries of information collected about a number of ancient mysteries, and contains a really great bibliography of like minded material.
August 16, 2025
How did the maps get so good? There have been numerous world-wide cataclysmic floods. The north pole used to be in a different place. The universe is alive. The pyramids are alive. Shamans. Jesus died in France. Atlantis is Crete? Maybe! What other secrets did the Neanderthal Kingdom hide from us?
June 28, 2012
This book is absurd. I am reading it with sheer amusement for research purposes on a comedy I am writing. Reading this for any other purpose, putting up with the terrible, meandering prose and poorly researched, outlandish claims, is, I think, a waste of your valuable time. It's shocking to me there is a market for this nonsense, but given my cynical views on humanity, perhaps I should not be surprised...
August 22, 2011
Colin Wilson has written some great books, and he usually has some interesting ideas to bring to the table when writing about esoteric subjects and alternative histories, but this one just feels slapped together. And that's a shame, because I'm fascinated by the possibility that the Neanderthals had an influence on early humans in a way that has had profound consequences for the development of culture, religion, etc. Stan Gooch has written some interesting books on this subject, and though Wison briefly mentions his ideas, he dismisses Gooch's assertion that Homo Sapiens and Neanderthals interbred with one another. Recent studies of the human genome (published after this book was written) seem to indicate that they probably did.
In any event, Wilson spends very little time discussing the Neanderthals, and deals with them in a fashion cursory enough to justify calling the book's title misleading. Instead, he inexplicably goes off on a tangent about the Prior of Sion, Jesus and Mary Magdalene's bloodline, and all that jazz, which has very little to do with what the rest of the book is about.
All in all, a disappointing showing.
In any event, Wilson spends very little time discussing the Neanderthals, and deals with them in a fashion cursory enough to justify calling the book's title misleading. Instead, he inexplicably goes off on a tangent about the Prior of Sion, Jesus and Mary Magdalene's bloodline, and all that jazz, which has very little to do with what the rest of the book is about.
All in all, a disappointing showing.
January 15, 2017
I never did get an understanding as to why the book was titles so. The book seemed to be about other Authors that he read and how they agreed with his thinking and research. I have read several book from this Author, but I feel this one was not up to his usual standards.
May 20, 2012
Wow. Extremely well researched and thought out. Very interesting material. =)
April 1, 2018
Інтересненько. Атлантида, Ічґсус, масони.
October 24, 2011
One Thousand and One Nights of the traces of mysterious powers, left from ancient civilizations. Found all around the globe, they are pointing at the same possible events at the times of Atlantis and The Great Flood. Their scattered in the world descendants, still organized as cults (religions, organizations) and still carrying some of the ancient super-knowledge.
Well referenced in text to the other mystery/superpowers books, with their short content, so you can track the sidelines further, if you wish.
Everything presented is tied together in a complex picture, that confirms the idea of existence in the far past of extremely advanced civilizations with powers beyond imagination. What was left to modern times, just separate aspects of superior knowledge. Except of a too long branch from freemasons - to templars - review of Christianity - Da Vinci Code, this book is highly interesting, unlike Graham Hancock's books; more dense and short too.
History of Atlantis, short review with dates of the climatic, tectonic and cosmic catastrophes, The Great Flood, Stonehenge, ancient mariners, pharaohs, pre-columbian civilizations, megalith monuments and some rediscovered technologies behind their building, instant knowledge as a way of learning, Central- and North American shamanism (drug or music induced trances), Hawaiian and Brazilian voodoo-like practices (with real life effects on unbelievers), connected with modern psychology theories of triple levels of self (subconscious, conscious and super-conscious self) and what could be done about this if only we knew, evil eye curse that closes all paths in life - when everything goes wrong for unknown reason, and a lot of other, equally interesting things.
Not much about the Neanderthals and no their kingdom, though, unless I missed something. Timeline, brain size, mining (million kg of ore! in one place) not for purpose of making warfare tools, but because of its magnetic properties for use at burials, and using very high temperature process for making a glue. Possibly different perception of reality, religion, humanity, music, group consciousness, stargazing. Drawing parallels with other civilizations, who preferred own, not technology centered ways.
As for proof, you don't expect, really, to find a hard proof delivered to you in one of The Mysteries of the Universe books? As you wouldn't demand even from well funded researcher to find treatment from cancer to the next Tuesday, with 100% proof that it will work every time, or finding statistically significant amount of Lucy's skulls from archeologist, or trying to extort proof-serving data from tribal people, who already did a favor of sharing their knowledge.
... But hypotheses, hints and glimpses are enlightening and tantalizing.
Well referenced in text to the other mystery/superpowers books, with their short content, so you can track the sidelines further, if you wish.
Everything presented is tied together in a complex picture, that confirms the idea of existence in the far past of extremely advanced civilizations with powers beyond imagination. What was left to modern times, just separate aspects of superior knowledge. Except of a too long branch from freemasons - to templars - review of Christianity - Da Vinci Code, this book is highly interesting, unlike Graham Hancock's books; more dense and short too.
History of Atlantis, short review with dates of the climatic, tectonic and cosmic catastrophes, The Great Flood, Stonehenge, ancient mariners, pharaohs, pre-columbian civilizations, megalith monuments and some rediscovered technologies behind their building, instant knowledge as a way of learning, Central- and North American shamanism (drug or music induced trances), Hawaiian and Brazilian voodoo-like practices (with real life effects on unbelievers), connected with modern psychology theories of triple levels of self (subconscious, conscious and super-conscious self) and what could be done about this if only we knew, evil eye curse that closes all paths in life - when everything goes wrong for unknown reason, and a lot of other, equally interesting things.
Not much about the Neanderthals and no their kingdom, though, unless I missed something. Timeline, brain size, mining (million kg of ore! in one place) not for purpose of making warfare tools, but because of its magnetic properties for use at burials, and using very high temperature process for making a glue. Possibly different perception of reality, religion, humanity, music, group consciousness, stargazing. Drawing parallels with other civilizations, who preferred own, not technology centered ways.
As for proof, you don't expect, really, to find a hard proof delivered to you in one of The Mysteries of the Universe books? As you wouldn't demand even from well funded researcher to find treatment from cancer to the next Tuesday, with 100% proof that it will work every time, or finding statistically significant amount of Lucy's skulls from archeologist, or trying to extort proof-serving data from tribal people, who already did a favor of sharing their knowledge.
... But hypotheses, hints and glimpses are enlightening and tantalizing.
April 26, 2017
Wilson posits that Neanderthal man had advanced scientific knowledge, though chose not to develop technologically, and were right-brained, intuitive thinkers. Most of the chapters consist of evidence that he has found while reading various books to support the idea that knowledge of mathematics and astronomy in particular goes back much farther than is currently thought.
I didn't agree with some of his conclusions. For example, in chapter 2 he speculates about how glass tektites, formed by tremendous heat, could have been formed in the Sahara desert. He considers all sorts of explanations, including man-made manufacture and atomic blasts, but fails to consider the most likely explanation--lightning. In another chapter he concludes that Java man must have built rafts and sailed to the island of Flores, but fails to investigate the idea that the sea might have been lower and that Java man might have simply walked over.
Nevertheless, I found many of his ideas intriguing. I just love a book that makes me think! He certainly gave me ideas for many other books to read. Two ideas I took from this book were these: First, there are far more ancient documents out there than anyone realizes; trouble is, they're either untranslated, unpublished, fragmentary, or hidden away. Second, orthodox science tends to ignore any scientific evidence or hypotheses that don't fit in with what is accepted as orthodoxy. We tend to think of scientists as objective, but they're not (or the people funding their research aren't). I think a lot of evidence is out there that is contrary to what we've been taught. It takes books like this to bring these ideas out for people to think about.
This book isn't for everybody, but I recommend it for those who like to stretch their minds.
I didn't agree with some of his conclusions. For example, in chapter 2 he speculates about how glass tektites, formed by tremendous heat, could have been formed in the Sahara desert. He considers all sorts of explanations, including man-made manufacture and atomic blasts, but fails to consider the most likely explanation--lightning. In another chapter he concludes that Java man must have built rafts and sailed to the island of Flores, but fails to investigate the idea that the sea might have been lower and that Java man might have simply walked over.
Nevertheless, I found many of his ideas intriguing. I just love a book that makes me think! He certainly gave me ideas for many other books to read. Two ideas I took from this book were these: First, there are far more ancient documents out there than anyone realizes; trouble is, they're either untranslated, unpublished, fragmentary, or hidden away. Second, orthodox science tends to ignore any scientific evidence or hypotheses that don't fit in with what is accepted as orthodoxy. We tend to think of scientists as objective, but they're not (or the people funding their research aren't). I think a lot of evidence is out there that is contrary to what we've been taught. It takes books like this to bring these ideas out for people to think about.
This book isn't for everybody, but I recommend it for those who like to stretch their minds.
April 2, 2014
amazing that he never really lets go of the idea of human improvement by awakening consciousness, and raising it above the mundane, yet pathetic that he has to stoop to this level of regurgitated knowledge and "popular pseudo-science". i'm not talking about speculative history. in itself, it may be as good an instrument of raising curiosity as anything, however it is a spectacularly easy way of showing signs of senile dementia. it's been a long time since i've heard this intensely hysterical voice of a truly dedicated reader of popular trash, retelling bits and pieces of it without any resemblance of disciplined thought. he piles "horses and people" together, mixing stars, holy grails, ancient technologies, etc., and astute conjectures about, say, over-conscious or "concrete-mixer-less advanced science of the ancients" with trivia, like nice dinners on board of Nile boats or chance meetings with insignificant people and "great discoveries' made while reading second-rate pop science. does he really think those discoveries are great? an excellent mind gone to seed.
the russian translation is good however, with nice easter eggs from the translator iykwim. the russian title is however as stupid as it can get
the russian translation is good however, with nice easter eggs from the translator iykwim. the russian title is however as stupid as it can get
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October 28, 2008Interesting. I'm using it for research
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews