Ancient Islands: Ghost City of the Pacific (Full Episode) | Lost Cities with Albert Lin

National Geographic・2 minutes read

About 800 years ago, two archaeological wonders, Easter Island and Namad, were discovered in the Pacific, prompting Albert Lynn to use modern technology to explore these sites and uncover hidden worlds. Lynn delves into the ancient city of Namad, unveiling its construction, the mysterious Sador rulers, and the logistics of building such a monumental city, showcasing human ingenuity and possibility.

Insights

  • Albert Lynn utilizes advanced technology like LiDAR scanning to unveil hidden ancient cities and lost civilizations, showcasing the power of modern tools in uncovering historical mysteries.
  • The lack of written records about Namad highlights the reliance on oral traditions and legends, adding an aura of mystery to the ancient city, while the discovery of a potential rock source sheds light on the logistical challenges and impressive scale of construction in creating monumental structures like Namad.

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Summary

00:00

Uncovering Namad: Ancient City of Mysteries

  • About 800 years ago, two archaeological wonders emerged in the Pacific: Easter Island with giant Stone heads and the enigmatic civilization of Namad, built on man-made islands and stone structures within a coral reef.
  • Albert Lynn uses 21st-century technology to explore the past, uncovering hidden worlds with lasers, scanning deserts, removing jungle canopy, and delving into oceans for lost cities and new discoveries.
  • To access Namad, Albert must seek permission from the N Marquee, the king of the area, through a Saka ceremony involving a powerful narcotic drink and respect for spirits believed to inhabit the site.
  • The Sador rulers of Namad, who held power over the island's population, are honored through ceremonies and rituals to ensure safe entry into the ancient city.
  • The main ceremonial center of Namad, a temple to the ancient rulers, was constructed from balt rock pillars and served as a hub for priests, attendants, and the feared Sador Kings.
  • LiDAR scanning technology is used to reveal the full extent of Namad, mapping out over 90 man-made structures covering a vast area, twice the size of Vatican City, hidden under mangroves.
  • The city's construction, including tombs, temples, and a seawall on a coral reef, is explored, showcasing the impressive scale and precision of the ancient builders, with over 700,000 tons of rock used in construction.
  • The lack of written records about Namad leads to reliance on oral traditions and legends, including stories of magic used to transport rocks, adding to the mystery of the ancient city.
  • A BT deposit on the island is discovered as a potential source of the thousands of rocks used in Namad's construction, shedding light on the logistics of building such a monumental city.
  • Through digital reconstruction and precise measurements, a 3D model of Namad is created, showcasing the colossal seawall, burial districts, residential zones, and monuments that symbolize the power of the Sador rulers who once inhabited the city.

22:42

Islanders' Stone Mysteries: Ancient Connections Unveiled

  • The ancient Islanders climbed the mountain to get stones, with a spot in the middle accessible through a 400ft scramble.
  • The stones were hexagonal and weighed between 5 to 50 tons, sourced from a quarry 10 miles away.
  • The theory of breaking stones involved burning wood and pouring water to crack them.
  • A potential route for moving stones involved mangroves and channels to float them out to sea.
  • The underwater city of the dead near Nadol was explored using downscan sonar, revealing hexagonal stones and vertical columns.
  • Evidence of an ancient civilization on Ant Atle included basalt rocks and Cal Stones for ceremonies.
  • A digital scan revealed a ceremonial site with six Cal Stones, indicating influence from Nadol's architects.
  • Rock art in Pom Hey suggested foreign influence, possibly from New Caledonia 2,000 miles away.
  • Photogrammetry revealed similar carvings in New Caledonia and Pom Hey, indicating a connection between distant Pacific civilizations.
  • The seafaring skills of the Islanders connected them to other Pacific cultures, suggesting a vast network of travel and influence.

43:36

"Ocean continent born from brave sailors"

  • Originated from skilled and brave sailors crossing seas, creating an ocean continent with ideas.
  • Traces of human spirit left in massive mysterious stone monuments like the lost city of Nador.
  • Nador is not just an archaeological wonder but a monument to human possibility.
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