Lemuria
Lemuria (), or Limuria, was a continent proposed in 1864 by zoologist Philip Sclater, theorized to have sunk beneath the Indian Ocean, later appropriated by occultists in supposed accounts of human origins. The theory was discredited with the discovery of plate tectonics and continental drift in the 20th century.
The hypothesis was proposed as an explanation for the presence of lemur fossils on Madagascar and the Indian subcontinent but not in continental Africa or the Middle East. Biologist Ernst Haeckel’s suggestion in 1870 that Lemuria could be the ancestral home of humans caused the hypothesis to move beyond the scope of geology and zoogeography, ensuring its popularity outside of the framework of the scientific community.
Occultist and founder of theosophy Helena Blavatsky, during the latter part of the 19th century, placed Lemuria in the system of her mystical-religious doctrine, claiming that this continent was the homeland of the human ancestors, whom she called Lemurians. The writings of Blavatsky had a significant impact on Western esotericism, popularizing the myth of Lemuria and its mystical inhabitants.
Theories about Lemuria became untenable when, in the 1960s, the scientific community accepted Alfred Wegener’s theory of continental drift, presented in 1912, but the idea lived on in the popular imagination, especially in relation to the Theosophist tradition.
“Prediluvian Lemuria” refers to the concept of the lost continent of Lemuria as it existed before the biblical flood (Prediluvian), a time often depicted in esoteric and pseudoscientific literature as an ancient, powerful civilization that ultimately met its demise. The term “Lemuria” itself was first proposed by zoologist Philip Sclater in 1864 to explain lemur distribution, but the idea evolved into a legendary continent, sometimes associated with the lost continent of Mu. Different sources describe this prediluvian Lemuria as a land of advanced beings or a spiritual paradise that collapsed due to spiritual corruption, war, or cataclysmic destruction by fire or water.
The Lost Continent Theory: The idea of a lost continent, such as Lemuria, often serves to explain the origins of diverse civilizations.
Esoteric and Spiritual Interpretations: The term gained significant traction in spiritual, occult, and New Age circles, which describe Lemuria as a highly evolved, ancient land before its destruction.
Kumari Kandam: The concept of Kumari Kandam, a lost land mentioned in ancient Tamil literature, is sometimes linked to the European idea of Lemuria and suggests a similar lost Tamil civilization.
Spiritual vs. Physical Decline: Some accounts portray a spiritual paradise where inhabitants were physically strong and spiritually advanced but eventually succumbed to madness or were corrupted by “Old Ones”.
Civilization and Architecture: Other interpretations describe Lemuria as a nation with the first humans who built huge cities and statues from various earth materials.
Cataclysmic Destruction: Lemuria is said to have been destroyed by fire and water, or the Great Flood, contributing to its legendary status as a lost land.
Geological and Archaeological Discrepancies: There is very little to no scientific or archaeological evidence to support the existence of a historical continent like Lemuria.
Pseudoscience and Myth: The concept of prediluvian Lemuria is primarily found in speculative works and spiritual traditions rather than established science.
Lemuria is a hypothetical lost continent proposed in the 19th century by zoologist Philip Sclater to explain the distribution of lemurs in India and Madagascar. The concept evolved through occultist traditions and New Age spirituality, where Lemuria became a mythical ancient civilization believed to have been home to highly advanced and spiritual beings. While initially a scientific theory, the existence of Lemuria is now considered legend, and it has been incorporated into works of fiction, such as the Cthulhu Mythos.
Philip Sclater’s Theory (1864): To explain the presence of lemur fossils in both Madagascar and India, but not in Africa, Sclater hypothesized the existence of a submerged continent in the Indian Ocean, which he named Lemuria.
Ernst Haeckel’s Adaptation (1868): German biologist Ernst Haeckel further developed the idea, suggesting Lemuria was the birthplace of humanity and a “missing link” between continents for human migration.
Esoteric and Spiritual Evolution
Occultism and Theosophy: The concept of Lemuria was adopted by occultists and Theosophists, who transformed the scientific theory into a narrative of a highly evolved, advanced, and spiritual lost civilization.
Lost Civilization Narrative: In these traditions, Lemurians are often depicted as gentle, telepathic beings living in spiritual harmony with the Earth, a concept that has persisted in New Age spirituality.
Discrediting the Theory
Continental Drift: The theory of Lemuria was ultimately discredited with the acceptance of the theory of continental drift and plate tectonics.
Mythological Status: Lemuria is now largely considered a myth and legend, similar to Atlantis, and is frequently featured in fictional works of literature and games.