Lost Theories Pt. 2
How many times can I type ‘Ancient’
Wow, I was really surprised by the reception to the first part of this post. Thanks guys!
It seems from the comments, though, many of you were hoping I would discuss the ancient artifacts a little more. Well maybe that hope was a premonition, because that’s exactly what I planned to do.
Okay, so let’s “flash” back even further into the Island’s past. And as a totally separate subject from my Black Rock Theory… let’s revisit some of the Island’s oldest remnants. And we’ll go Lemuria-style ancient with this one, yeah? Maybe we can string some of these together and make something out of them too.
1.) We all remember that giant, four toed foot statue, or rather that part of a statue, right? To me that seemed pretty ancient. You better believe when I saw that thing, I got up and started dancing. I loved it! And so began my archaeological fascination with the Island.
2.) How about that big stone pillar Locke’s dad was chained to… back when Ben proclaimed to The Others, “He’s not who we thought he was!”? Pretty ancient. The Others were on their way to the ‘safe place’ in that episode. And if you remember, that entire area was littered with pieces of ancient ruins.
3.) The ‘safe place’ the Others were headed is called The Temple. Ben tells Alex and Rousseau to flee there before Keamy’s men get them. Is The Temple another silly codename for a Dharma station? Or… an actual temple? A temple could certainly qualify as ancient.
4.) The strange door and tunnel that Ben goes into from his closet in Otherville… Remember? When he calls the Smoke Monster to attack Keamy’s soldiers? Ancient looking and covered in hieroglyphics.
5.) And actually hieroglyphics are something you see a lot of on this island. There was also one placed in the tree where Juliet was getting the medicine for Sun. As well as Egyptian Hieroglyphs on the Swan Station counter. As we all know, Hieroglyphics are an ancient form of written language made popular in our history books by the Egyptians.
6.) We certainly can’t forget about that crank Ben turns at the end of season 4? Okay, in fairness, it kind of looked like it was made of Styrofoam… but I think the intent was ancient… no? After all, there were some hieroglyphics down there.
7.) What about those polar bear fossils found in the Sahara. It’s not the Island, but it is ancient, right? Certainly ancient remains… but that Dharma collar? Hmmm. Okay, maybe half ancient?
8.) And lastly this island had an event in its past that I rarely hear fans talk about (although I don’t visit the message boards, so maybe these observations are all passé). It’s an event that could be very ancient, actually. Remember the scene in the Dharma classroom? The one with the Teacher doing the old baking soda volcano experiment? One of the kids compares it to an eruption on their island. The teacher says yes, it is similar… but that the Island’s eruption was “a long time ago”.
So how do these clues fit together? Aside from the fact that they all seem… do I really have to say it again? Ancient. Is the Island traveling through time picking up whatever chronological crap washes up on it’s shores? Or does this island have an ancient past? Meaning, do these ancient things belong to the island… to it’s original inhabitants? If so, who created them? How did they play into the lives of those people, that ancient culture?
Let’s start with the foot statue. What has four toes? For one, humans born with four toes have four toes… we usually call them mutants. Sometimes it’s a DNA thing… sometimes it’s Chernobyl. Ancient gods have four toes sometimes. Some animals have four toes… and better yet, some animal deities have four toes! And in the Ancient world, animal deities were all the rage. So were hieroglyphs, so were temples, and so were massive culture shattering, topography altering cataclysms like earthquakes, floods, and volcanoes.
Speaking of which, did you know that about 14,000 years ago the South Pacific looked very different than it does now? And did you know that apparent man-made structures and artifacts (dating back to the last ice age) have been found in those South Pacific waters?
So what if the secret history of The Island, is suppose to be some Lost history of the larger ancient world. One where an advanced civilization, capable of wondrous feats of science… disappears into the sea. Several cultures have myths about this very thing. Atlantis, Lemuria, Mu… In fact, Plato says he got his version of the story from the Egyptians… who in turn got it from the peeps before them…
And here’s how Plato describes the city portion of Atlantis:
“At the centre of the island, near the sea, was a plain, said to be the most beautiful and fertile of all plains, and near the middle of this plain about fifty stades inland a hill of no great size… There were two rings of land and three of sea, like cartwheels, with the island at their centre and equidistant from each other…”
If you’re having a hard time picturing what that might look like, here are a few different ways artists have depicted it: Picture 1, Picture 2, Picture 3
So have we seen anything on the show with rings, equidistant, and an island at it’s center? Hmm… well how about this? Picture 4 … or better yet, does this have new meaning? Picture 5
What else does Plato say?
“in the centre was a shrine sacred to Poseidon and Cleito, surrounded by a golden wall through which entry was fobidden…There was a temple to Poseidon himself, a stade in length, three hundred feet wide, and proportionate in height, though somewhat outlandish in appearance.”
Ahh… so according to Plato, Atlantis had a very special temple.
LOL. Okay, okay, I’m losing some of you on this one, huh? Yeah, I know. In this day and age, Atlantis and all that “Secret History” stuff is kinda Disney. It may be a tough one for some fans to swallow. But consider this… in the 19th century, Atlantis was a way bigger deal… thought to be far more more credible than today… perhaps even worthy of an Oceanic voyage to find it (that was for you @raelee).
Well whatever is going on, I feel fairly confident these clues are part of another grouping in the mythology. One that deals with a period much earlier than The Black Rock. SEASON 5 SPOILER: Or much later, since we now have all this time warping going on. Who knows? Maybe these are the remnants of an ancient future. I like @jakezim‘s theory that the foot statue is of one of the Flight 815 survivors. Maybe our cast will travel far enough back in time to find themselves unwittingly responsible for the creation myths and breakthroughs of the ancient world.
Whatever is going on, I’m just glad The Island is finally being treated like the complex character that it is and getting its very own set of “Flashbacks” & “Flash Forwards”… just like the rest of the cast.
I’ll be watching closely for any other clues pertaining to The Black Rock theory and The Atlantis theory. The moment either of them are busted, I’ll acknowledge it here.
Anything I missed? Thoughts?
READ LOST THEORIES PT. 1
(And if you enjoyed these two posts, consider spreading the word.)

Steffany on 02 Feb 2009 at 11:48 am #
Okay, I have to say, I am with you on a lot of it… except the statue.
It did look ancient, but to say it is ancient in the sense that it is part of our creation….
Evolutionary scientists believe that we will lose our little toe in the future. It has continued to get smaller as time progresses. Quick discover article, not exactly best reference, but hey:
http://discovermagazine.com/2004/jun/useless-body-parts
I saw the four toed statue as a remnant of the future, something that “skipped” with them, perhaps they were touching it during a skip….
Don’t know. Maybe that’s stupid.
Julie on 02 Feb 2009 at 1:19 pm #
Lost as Atlantis…hmm. Very interesting. Isn’t Atlantis referred to as the LOST city of Atlantis? Wow. Something to think about. lol
ManosTorgo on 02 Feb 2009 at 1:26 pm #
I am thinking the statue is of Homer Simpson? They all have 4 digits instead of 5!
Interesting links to Atlantis, could very well be considering that the island can move.
The black smoke monster always had a mechanical sound to it, ancient Greeks well after Atlantis myth, had created steam power and recently an ancient mechanical device was found off the coast of Greece.
kelseroo on 02 Feb 2009 at 1:33 pm #
I like it… I’m on board with the Atlantis theory. Here is what my friends 10 year old brother said: “I think the island is a huge time machine controlled by aliens.” Hows THAT for a theory? (lol)
Rae on 02 Feb 2009 at 1:35 pm #
Haha, thanks! Oceanic voyage. Still love it.
OK. I love your parallels between Atlantis and things we’ve encountered on the Island. If partly because Atlantis is known as — not to be predictable or anything — the “Lost Continent.”
Not that I think our Island is Atlantis itself but I like the idea of it having a similar ancient history behind it. Especially since elements of the island (time travel, able to move itself, Jacob’s cabin appearing and disappearing, etc.) definitely appear in a lot of mythological tales.
What about those polar bear fossils found in the Sahara. It’s not the Island, but it is ancient, right? Certainly ancient remains… but that Dharma collar? Hmmm. Okay, maybe half ancient?
Hmmm, I was going to say that I always thought this had to do with their time travel but, even if it did, it was still fossilized so it would still have a connection to the island AND would seem to indicate that the island certainly does have a long history.
Now I want to go read about Atlantis again…
DJSmackMackey on 02 Feb 2009 at 1:50 pm #
I don’t know what it’s called, but doesn’t the wheel thing that Ben turns to move the island look like one of those wheels you see on ships like the Black Rock, surrounding the mast. I wish I knew what it was called. Damn my lack of Square Rigger knowledge!
Ed R on 02 Feb 2009 at 3:01 pm #
What?! Ancient statues? Stone pillars? Good Lord- am I REALLY going to have to watch this?!
Right up my alley.
Shelley on 02 Feb 2009 at 3:17 pm #
This has completely blown my mind. I have always been fascinated with Atlantis, and yet I’d never thought of this. I had my theory that the island was created by the gods to travel back and forth through time as they pleased to study humankind. Then I just went, nah they wouldn’t write that.
Viv on 02 Feb 2009 at 4:06 pm #
While visiting Greece, it was really cool running into random ancient remains of cities.. one of the places I visited was Santorini.. which is theorized to be connected to Atlantis.
Santorini is essentially what remains of an enormous volcanic explosion, destroying the earliest settlements on what was formerly a single island, and leading to the creation of the current geological caldera. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santorini
greece is also connected to Egyptian culture and hieroglyphics, which makes it even more mysterious. SO having the island be part of an ancient civilization is a huge possibility!
also.. i am currently working on a film that has aliens in it.. so of course seeing all the alien alphabet on the viral sites, which remind me of hieroglyphics themselves.. brings me back to yet another theory of mine.. that the island might be an alien space ship.
Rachie on 02 Feb 2009 at 10:56 pm #
I never saw it before but I really think you have something here. It all makes sense! I hope you’re right because now I’m getting myself all worked up on this theory. If it’s not true then I’ll disappointed because it would have made the story really good!
Stephanie on 03 Feb 2009 at 1:50 am #
AND – Atlantis supposedly was lost under water. Just like how the island on LOST was after Ben turned the wheel…..
Jodi Lane on 03 Feb 2009 at 3:42 am #
I really like theorizing! I could go on for days, my goodness. It keeps me up at night some nights–no joke! I enjoy the theories and ways of the egyptians. It was always a dream of mine to some day investigate all of that stuff. It’s something that would be a continuous goal until the end of time it seems like. That’s alright though, there is nothing wrong with always being excited and always having a goal in mind.
The idea of Atlantis has always been one of my favorites. I do not doubt the fact that it could have existed and just cannot be found for some strange reason. It was lost on purpose
. That’s all I’m going to say, otherwise…my response to your blog would end up being LONGER than your post!!! Hah!
Take care–and I can’t wait to hear more theories…I have a pretty wicked brain-theory that you may be interested in hearing. LOL!
leah on 03 Feb 2009 at 10:31 am #
So my theory was a valid one. Cool Beans!
John Cabrera on 03 Feb 2009 at 2:42 pm #
Hey! Nice thoughts everyone. I like.
Steffany, I’m totally down with the theory that the statue may be from the future. But let me ask, this theory that it skipped in time with them… did you have that before this season?
And yeah, I’m glad everyone seems to have picked up the LOST city of Atlantis reference. I think it fits a bit too well to be coincidental.
Viv, I think you and Kelseroo’s friend’s brother should work together on that alien theory. Just try not to go too X-Files with it. lol.
DJSmackerville, it’s called a Capstan… and while that doesn’t actually resemble a 19th century Capstan, it certainly seems to perform like one. Especially since Faraday says Ben has dislodged the Island. I think that’s a pretty cool comparison actually. Nice.
Rae, I’m with you. I think the writers are setting up that the bear is from modern day, but somehow traveled back in time and died there.
Anyway, glad everyone’s digging it.
Just Jody on 03 Feb 2009 at 3:17 pm #
My knowledge of the ‘ancient’ is pretty minimal, but just the many uses of the hieroglyphics indicates that you may be on to something with all this. Especially when you consider that they all seem to originate from different locales.
As for the polar bear fossils, I think that the bears were used to test the big frozen wheel and were transported off the island as a result. Much the same way that Ben was shot into the desert when he spun the wheel.
DJSmackMackey on 03 Feb 2009 at 3:31 pm #
The Black Rock is in the middle of the island, more or less, right? Could the island be able to rise out of the ocean? Like…from underneath the Black Rock while it was sailing? That might be a stretch, but hey, it’s Lost. Everything is a stretch.
MarmaLady on 05 Feb 2009 at 1:37 pm #
I’m with Ed. I wanted to hear your thoughts John and now it looks like I’m gonna have to watch this… I so don’t need yet another show!
=)
Yashoda on 11 Feb 2009 at 4:02 am #
Hey John!!! @blankettegirl here, just reposting.
Just wanted to add a bit of support to your ‘ancients’ theory by pointing out that Widmore’s team specifically included an anthropologist, namely Charlotte!
The fact that she was so easily susceptible to the effects of time travel suggests that she’s experienced it many times before (perhaps as a young child on the island!)
Look forward to your next Lost post!!! (and other posts of course
)
Rae on 12 Feb 2009 at 8:58 am #
Hey… was reading through the comments on Alan Sepinwall’s post about this week’s episode of Lost and came upon this one that you should check out: http://sepinwall.blogspot.com/2009/02/lost-this-place-is-death-sacrificial.html#8859202243472147356
John Cabrera on 12 Feb 2009 at 2:55 pm #
Rae, which comment? That # didn’t take me anywhere on the page… just opened it at the top of the post.
Rae on 13 Feb 2009 at 1:56 pm #
Sorry, dunno why the jump to link isn’t working. It’s the comment by “merrylegs” about halfway down the page. You can do a CTRL+F on “Ancient” and you’ll find it.
It’s referring to something Damon and Carlton said in the official podcast about Charlotte.
John Cabrera on 13 Feb 2009 at 3:09 pm #
Rae, very interesting. I didn’t know they said that. But I’ve always just assumed that Charlotte was an expert on ancient something or other. Just because of the scene with her at the archaeological dig and the anthropology aspect.
Now that we know she was a little girl at Dharma, my guess is that she saw a lot of ruins and hieroglyphs there as a child and it stayed with her even after she left the island. Her “mum” told her it was all in her imagination, and that may have actually increased her need to find it… to do that she needed to understand what she saw as a small child.
Rae on 14 Feb 2009 at 9:58 am #
I didn’t know either. I don’t listen to the official podcasts though maybe I should? I had assumed Charlotte was an archeologist based on her being at the dig where they found the polar bear bones but hadn’t really thought of the connection beyond that.
I do think you’re right that her interest is a result of her ties to the Dharma Initiative and her drive to prove that she wasn’t imaging what she remembered from her childhood. I just thought their emphasis of “ancient” was interesting and lends some credence to your theories. But then so do the hieroglyphs and the Temple.
John Cabrera on 14 Feb 2009 at 5:18 pm #
Haha! Totally.
I don’t really read many Lost blogs or listen to the Official podcast. I like the exploratory aspect of watching this show. I try to refrain from saying “this is definitely what’s happening” unless it’s blatantly obvious. Instead I enjoy just noticing connections, or asking “what if” questions. It makes watching the show more of a journey than a goal.
I love how those pics of Atlantis look kind of like the Dharma logo… but after watching this past week’s episode, that observation may be drifting away in favor of another possibility for the logo. And I like that change. I know it can frustrate some audiences who need answers. But, what can I say, I’m a fan of the Magic Box: http://www.ted.com/talks/j_j_abrams_mystery_box.html
Shane Convery;) on 15 Feb 2009 at 7:13 pm #
READ***
In the season 5 cast photo Daniels left foot is missing? this couldn’t have been an accident. And the fur toed statue seems to be a left foot?maybe a connection. It would also fit in with your theory of a survivor or at least one of that group?
http://www.gearcritech.com/images2/2008.12/update03_LostS5Cast.jpg click on this link to see the image, daniel is on the left.
John Cabrera on 15 Feb 2009 at 7:22 pm #
Yeah, but both of Locke’s, Sawyer’s, Jack’s, Hurley’s and Desmond’s feet are missing. Sun’s left foot is missing too… so is most of Sayid’s.
john on 21 Feb 2009 at 4:31 am #
If you zoom in on the pic Locke is behind whatever Ben is sitting on, Jack’s are behind the chair, Sawyer’s are behind a table, Sun’s foot is behind her other leg, Hugo is standing on the arm of the couch and something behind Charlotte, Desmond is behind the chair Sayid is in, and Sayid’s foot is visible is just at a weird angle. Daniel’s foot is weird though, you can see the whole bottom rim of the pant leg with no shoe or leg. It’s a cool pic.
Amy on 25 Jul 2009 at 9:50 pm #
I realize I am coming across this pretty late but was very excited just the same. I was a late getting into the show period…spent a couple months a while back watching it straight through. I have only been able to catch a couple episodes from season 5, the recaps and the finale’. trying to wait patiently for season 5 on dvd….passing the time by reading this stuff.
Anyway, when I saw the episode with the statue I immediately thought of Atlantis, this has been a theory I have been elaborating on also, hadn’t heard anyone else elude to it. Thanks for sharing your points…more to think on.