5 Unexplained Ancient Civilizations that Mysteriously Vanished

In the late Bronze Age, the Mediterranean world was rocked by a series of raids from a mysterious group known as the Sea Peoples. These seafaring warriors appeared seemingly out of nowhere, launching devastating attacks on coastal towns and trade routes throughout the region.

Their identity and motivations remain shrouded in mystery. Still, they played a significant role in the Bronze Age collapse that brought down some of the greatest empires of the time, including the Hittite, Mycenaean, and Mitanni kingdoms.

Few contemporary sources of information concern the Sea People, and those that exist are not easily interpreted.

Ancient tablets, found primarily in Egypt, allude to various naval battles but make few specific mentions of the Sea People, even though they are believed to have clashed with three great Pharaohs, including Ramesses II, also known as Ramesses the Great.

One translated inscription from the era of Ramesses II warns: “They came from the sea in their warships, and none could stand against them.”

Even more mysterious than the lack of evidence for the Sea People is that they have suddenly vanished, just like the civilizations they may have conquered.

After 1178 BC, no more inscriptions or records of the Sea People were made. Still, several theories have sought to explain their origins and sudden disappearance.

Some of these theories have suggested that the Sea People may have been displaced Trojans or a collection of numerous tribes of naval raiders from Central Europe. It remains unknown whether they ultimately assimilated into land-dwelling societies, were eliminated by a rival civilization, or, as the records seem to suggest, vanished from the face of the Earth...

[andrewrobinson]

These Ancient Mysteries and your other channels are so well produced and wonderfully succinct. I really appreciate the work you put into these, keep it up!

[davidc]

It is also possible that the Rapa Nui got devastated by a Tsunami or series of CAT 5 hurricanes. Another great episode of D5AM. Thanks for sharing.

[MFLimited]

DRINK A SHOT every time you hear the phrase “shrouded in mystery“. 😁

[jtmoore]

Its a good possibility that the Sea Peoples were The Minoans leaving Crete looking for a new home. They vanished around 1100BC, so it could have been them.

[yayhandles]

Just my two cents: The Sea Peoples were likely early Greek raiders, and The Illiad is essentially a mythologized historical account of such endeavours on their part. For example, refer to The Odyssey when Odysseus recalls "raiding" in his youth.

[gohanangered]

From something i saw awhile ago, about the sea peoples. The egyptians gave some of them names. Which were written down. Even one of those groups was hired by the pharoah at the time. And used them as a personal security force. Because of how strong they were in battle. The other groups, the video tried to trace areas they might have come from. Which a few others might have been traced to the sicily area. The theory was something happened to make a bunch of civilizations of the time, to pretty much become raiders. Only the egyptians and assyrians survived of the major kingdoms, of the bronze age collapse.

[Saffron-sugar]

The Battle of Djahy was actually The Sea People versus Ramses III. Not Ramses The Great (aka Ramses II). That’s been pointed out here. However, Ramesses II ALSO encountered the Sea People in his conflict with the Hittites. The Sea people were around for sometime.
Egypt’s biggest clash with them, the Battle of Djahy, started in 1178 B.C about 30 years after the death of Ramses the Great.

[bootboy]

loved this episode! so much mystery in human history! the locals of greenland who lived with the vikings says that the vikings went to the inner earth and till this day still remain there.

[djhondacrz]

I like that he never mentions ufo or alien beings😊

[KnifeSotelo]

The sea people are made up of the Peleset (who would become the biblical Philistines), Sherden (Sardinia), Lukka (Lycia), Karkisa (Caria), Ekwesh (Greece), Teresh (Taruisa), Denyen (Danaoi), Tjeker (Greece), Shekelesh (Sicily), Teresh (Thrace) and Weshesh (small clan of Achians)

[cyankirkpatrick]

Interesting new channel that you have don't burn out please we love your dedication on new things but don't risk your health for the algorithm.

[EntryLevelLuxury]

Fun, this is so relevant to my current binge on random ancient civilizations. Been looking into the Altay region…😊

[auspistic]

Important to remember that throughout history archeological evidence is/was also routinely destroyed by cultures who find something about it threatening.

[theneurologist]

This was a damn good video! Thank you! And your editing skill are getting phenomenal! 👍🏻

[Ciprian-IonutPanait]

10:44 actually that was solved. Due to their fascination with Mohai they depleted their forest and as they starved they left the island

[snowleopard]

The sea peoples were not a civilization but a seafaring group of different ethnicities of people from around the Mediterranean. They were aggressive and feared raiders. They were defeated by Ramses III.
They did not vanish but it is speculated that they were assimilated into existing societies in the region.
Also, a severe drought that lasted for 300 years may be behind the bronze age collapse.

[michelkarnaouni]

i think the sea peoples and phoenicians were related, because they didn't touch or attempt to attack any phoenician city

[bayareabeardco.]

Weren't the sea peoples the eventual Philistines? Their battles with the Israelites during this period may explain the random fading of history

[Maria-coeg]

This was very interesting and informative.

[drpepperr]

Possible future topics: Hyksos, Scythians, Kushites, Sarmatians.