Protected Documents of Antiquity

For centuries when one country fell to another country, it was not uncommon for the new ruling country to destroy all of the artifacts relating to the losing side. As was the same concept for when Christianity took over as the only religion of Rome. The order was given by Caesar to destroy and sack pagan temples, teachings, documents, and history so that the world would forget that they had ever existed. However, many families of the dying cultures throughout the world were able to hide and preserve the teachings of their ancient ancestors. Cultures such as the ancient Greeks, Indians, and Africans all fought and died so that the progress their ancestors made could be forever remembered. During the dark ages it was discovered by Christian scientists that many of the teachings that the pagans had were actually beneficial to the survival of the human race. Teachings such as astronomy, medicine, science, and math were seen as blasphemy and witchcraft but were later realized as not evil but beneficial.

Nowadays when countries go to war, the knowledge, history, and culture of the losing side is well preserved. Experts agree that all knowledge of each culture, regardless of relationship bonds between countries, is important for the advancement of human civilization. The United States has helped defy this age old tradition of completely obliterating another country after defeat and instead have helped preserve and keep their cultures.

Currently experts have been uncovering mass amounts of archaeological evidence such as manuscripts from India of the ancient Sanskrit language and artifacts such as the Antikythera Mechanism in Greece. These precious artifacts and manuscripts help scientists further understand the knowledge of cultural predecessors and help shape the future of modern day science. Other countries such as China, Greece, and India have all also lent a helping hand and financials to not only preserving these ancient documents but also to the research involved that it takes to understand them.

The already deciphered texts have helped scientists and experts understand more about ancient uses of medicines and herbal remedies. These ancient practices have been combined with modern forms of medication and have boosted human health and decreased deaths due to disease. Proof of this can be found in ancient Greek mythology, Pomegranates were once used in worship ceremonies to the Goddess Aphrodite. Aphrodite represented love, sex, and fertility and scientists have discovered that pomegranates actually help reduce erectile dysfunction. Could the ancient Greeks know this before modern day scientists did? Much more research like this is currently being undergone. With a little time and assistance from neighboring countries however, the world will gradually shift to a world with less disease and more knowledge.

Sources:

“The Treasures of Timbuktu” By Joshua Hammer Smithsonian Magazine


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