In search of the cradle of civilization : new light on ancient India

For decades, schoolbooks have taught that Sumer was the cradle of civilization. Conventional scholarship has also held that Aryan civilization came to India by way of invasions from the north. But in this ground-breaking book, three renowned scholars show that there was no "Aryan invasion," and that India, not Sumer, was the cradle of civilized humanity. Through exploring the rich symbols, metaphors, and myths of the Vedas, this book also examines the wealth of India's spirituality and its relevance for today's world. The great catastrophe and the reconstruction of early Indic civilization The vedic peoples in the land of the seven rivers : the literary perspective -- Deciphering the Indus-Sarasvati script -- The dawn of the Indic civilization : the Neolithic town of Mehrgarh -- Why the Aryan invasion never happened : seventeen arguments -- The spiritual heritage of ancient India -- The birth of science in ritual -- Vedic myths and their astronomical basis -- India and the West -- The Vedas and perennial wisdom. Contents 7 List of Illustrations 10 Introduction to the Second Edition 14 Preface 20 Acknowledgments 26 PART ONE: journeying Back in Time: An Eight-Thousand-Year Adventure 28 Chapter 1: Revisioning the Past 30 Chapter 2: The Vedas: Pyramids of the Spirit 72 Chapter 4: An Archaeological Surprise: The Cities qf the Indus Valley 88 Chapter 6: The Vedic Peoples in the Land qf the Seven Rivers: The Literary Perspective 128 Chapter 7: Deciphering the Indus-Sarasvati Script 154 Chapter 8: The Dawn qf the Indic Civilization: The Neolithic Town of Mehrgarh 170 Chapter 9: Why the Aryan Invasion Never Happened: Seventeen Arguments 180 PART Two The Splendor ef AncientIndia: Its Cultural and Spiritual Legacy 190 Chapter 10: The Spiritual Heritage qf Ancient India 192 Chapter 11: The Birth qf Science in Ritual 222 Chapter 12: Vedic Myths and Their Astronomical Basis 256 Chapter 13: India and the West 249 276 Chapter 14: The Vedas and Perennial Wisdom 296 Notes 314 Select Bibliography 332 Index 340 Leere Seite 6 Contrary to the schoolbook notion, the real cradle of civilization may well have been, not Sumer, but India. This book completely revisions ancient history and suggests that by understanding how our ancestors faced their problems of existence, we can find important answers to our own unprecedented crises.
The authors cite the latest archaeological, geological, and linguistic evidence to show that the ancient Indians had a highly evolved culture that has influenced the Western world decisively and still has much to teach us today. They find the magnificent sacred text, the Rig-Veda, to be much older than assumed, and they decode the spiritual wisdom hidden in its symbols, metaphors, and myths. They also unravel the astonishing mathematical and astronomical code hidden in the Vedic hymns.
"This is a scholarly masterpiece and belongs in the homw and library of every person who wishes to evolve using the wisdom of the ages."--Deepak Chopra, M.D. Presents New Ideas And Research On The Cultural History Of Ancient India, Including The Idea That Sumer Was Not The Cradle Of Civilization. Revisioning The Past, Envisioning The Future -- The Vedas : Pyramids Of The Spirit -- The Aryans : Exploding A Scientific Myth -- An Archaeological Surprise : The Cities Of The Indus Valley -- The Great Catastrophe And The Reconstruction Of Early Indic Civilization -- The Vedic Peoples In The Land Of The Seven Rivers : The Literary Perspective -- Deciphering The Indus-sarasvati Script -- The Dawn Of The Indic Civilization : The Neolithic Town Of Mehrgarh -- Why The Aryan Invasion Never Happened : Seventeen Arguments -- The Spiritual Heritage Of Ancient India -- The Birth Of Science In Ritual -- Vedic Myths And Their Astronomical Basis -- India And The West -- The Vedas And Perennial Wisdom. Georg Feuerstein, Subhash Kak, And David Frawley. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Experts in the field present the latest in archeological, geological, & linguistic evidence to dispel the long-held belief that Sumer was where civilization began. Annotation. Contrary to schoolbooks, India--not Sumer--may have been civilizations birth place. Current geological, archaeological, and linguistic evidence shows the ancient Indians had a highly evolved culture that still holds important answers for us today. Annotation. Contrary to schoolbooks, India--not Sumer--may have been civilizations birth place. Current geological, archaeological, and linguistic evidence shows the ancient Indians had a highly evolved culture that still holds important answers for us today