` Paleolithic Eurasia `
To begin to piece together the past, one must begin with context. Our ancestors lived on the icy shores of Europe as well as the vast tundra of the Eurasian Plain, which for 100,000+ years was a practically a continuous ecosystem which stretched from Central Europe through Asia, over the theorized land bridge, and across North America. Broadly they ate mammoth, other meat, fish and seafood, and only foraged for berries and mushrooms when the seasons allowed. They did not survive off any roots or grains at this time. Through the Ice Age there were warmer periods where forests expanded and less snow covered the land, and cooler periods when mammoth herds proliferated and migrations were necessary to find scarcer food.
To begin to piece together the past, one must begin with context. Our ancestors lived on the icy shores of Europe as well as the vast tundra of the Eurasian Plain, which for 100,000+ years was a practically a continuous ecosystem which stretched from Central Europe through Asia, over the theorized land bridge, and across North America. Broadly they ate mammoth, other meat, fish and seafood, and only foraged for berries and mushrooms when the seasons allowed. They did not survive off any roots or grains at this time. Through the Ice Age there were warmer periods where forests expanded and less snow covered the land, and cooler periods when mammoth herds proliferated and migrations were necessary to find scarcer food.
There was a large number of now-extinct or -endangered species in this environment. Large herds of huge mammoths, a large lion (small lions survived in Europe until Antiquity), a rhinoceros, bison, as well as the deer/elk, bears, and wolves we still strongly associate with the boreal landscapes today. There were perhaps lost species of the berries, herbs, and mushrooms we enjoy today also.
One of the most important things to keep in mind is the ancient sky our ancestors knew, the significance of which is unfortunately lost on modern people. Essentially living their lives outdoors for thousands and thousands of years, they bore witness to all manner of astronomical phenomena and knew them well. This was especially true in the North, where aurorae and parhelia are common occurrences. All these celestial phenomena must have been foundational to their spirituality, and not just the ritual tracking of the stars that continued well into written history. This aesthetic of the cosmos is something modernity does not comprehend, literally and figuratively, because it has divorced itself from bearing witness to nature.
Forwarded from Vault of Secrets - Unpopular History (M Himself)
"The Germans preached the doctrine of cosmopolitanism before the war, but they now advocate nationalism...
If we can revive our nationalist spirit and develop it, there is no doubt that our nation will live long and that no foreign political and economic forces, however strong, will be able to harm us. God loves our people because He has permitted us to live for so many thousands of years. It will be our own fault and our sin if we abuse ourselves in such a way that we have to perish. Since God has permitted us to live so long, we believe He has laid on us some great responsibility, and we must become worthy of the task; otherwise we shall be working against the will of God. God wants us to be progressive; and the Powers who are hindering our progress are responsible for hindering the progress of mankind."
President of Nationalist China, Dr. Sun Yat-sen, 1924
If we can revive our nationalist spirit and develop it, there is no doubt that our nation will live long and that no foreign political and economic forces, however strong, will be able to harm us. God loves our people because He has permitted us to live for so many thousands of years. It will be our own fault and our sin if we abuse ourselves in such a way that we have to perish. Since God has permitted us to live so long, we believe He has laid on us some great responsibility, and we must become worthy of the task; otherwise we shall be working against the will of God. God wants us to be progressive; and the Powers who are hindering our progress are responsible for hindering the progress of mankind."
President of Nationalist China, Dr. Sun Yat-sen, 1924
Forwarded from Vault of Secrets - Unpopular History (M Himself)
"According to the old moral system, the most important virtues are: first, filial piety (hsiao) and loyalty (chung); next, humanity (Jen) and love (ai); thirdly, sincerity (hsin) and righteousness (yi); and lastly, love of peace (ho p'ing). While many of our people still emphasize these virtues, the "new culturists" who are influenced by foreign moral teachings are trying to overthrow our old moral system and adopt a new code of morality.
This is very unfortunate for it has caused a moral disorganization of the nation so that at the present time the rank and file of the country are altogether confused as to which moral code they should follow. As a result, neither the new morality nor the old morality is effective, and now the nation is plunged into a disgraceful condition of anarchism and chaos. We ought to preserve the old moral values that are good and at the same time reform harmful traditions."
President of Nationalist China, Dr. Sun Yat-sen, 1924
This is very unfortunate for it has caused a moral disorganization of the nation so that at the present time the rank and file of the country are altogether confused as to which moral code they should follow. As a result, neither the new morality nor the old morality is effective, and now the nation is plunged into a disgraceful condition of anarchism and chaos. We ought to preserve the old moral values that are good and at the same time reform harmful traditions."
President of Nationalist China, Dr. Sun Yat-sen, 1924
👏1