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Magicians of the Gods: The Forgotten Wisdom of Earth's Lost Civilisation is a 2015 book by Graham Hancock in which the author postulates the existence of highly advanced civilizations long before recorded history. These civilizations were diminished/destroyed by a global cataclysmic event, but some of their knowledge has been passed down through mythology and is evidenced by numerous ancient monuments. Published by Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martin's Press, it is a New York Times bestseller and sequel to Fingerprints of the Gods.

Synopsis
Hancock argues in support of the Younger Dryas impact hypothesis, in which one or more large comets struck Earth in approximately 10,800 BC. These caused widespread destruction, with a short-term return to Ice Age conditions followed by flooding that was massive enough to alter the continental landscape of the planet. Specifically, he cites evidence of coastal civilizations in and around the Atlantic Ocean, Southeast Asia and the Pacific Ocean that became submerged by rising sea levels.

In Magicians of the Gods, he says, "What we think of as human history is merely the record of human events that have transpired since the last, great planetary catastrophe." All major world cultures contain a Flood myth, but perhaps these myths are based on a real occurrence in distant antiquity.

Hancock refers to evidence at sites such as Gobelki Tepe in Turkey, the Roman Heliopolis in Lebanon and of course the Egyptian pyramids. Construction at these sites may have occurred much earlier than orthodox history claims, and with techniques/technology that was not yet supposed to be in existence. These sites may have been constructed prior to the cataclysmic planetary event, by survivors of the event who yielded from advanced civilizations, or by generations that closely followed these survivors both chronologically and in knowledge. If the latter two, one purpose for their construction would have been an attempt to pass along some of this knowledge to future generations.

Reception
The reviews of Magicians of the Gods in both academic and literary circles have been quite mixed.

"Obviously, I don’t believe in Mr. Hancock’s creative fairytale about so-called magicians of the gods who kept the memories alive of ancient, advanced societies. But if a little magic is your cup of tea, this phantasmagorical book will do the trick." Michael Taube, The Washington Times.

"I do so recommend this book. Hancock is an enchanting writer, and such a curious and thoughtful and intuitive investigator of the mysteries." - Anne Rice, author of Interview with a Vampire (Review published in the book)

"Magicians of the Gods is an extraordinary work of genius, delivering its poignant message well."