Doggerland: The Lost Atlantis of the North Sea - Ancient Advanced Civilization Discovered
Doggerland was a significant area of dry land that existed until approximately 7,000 BCE when rising sea levels gradually submerged it. Recent technological advances have allowed archaeologists to map the seabed, revealing surprising discoveries including stone circles predating Stonehenge. Phillips also discussed evidence of advanced technologies found on Fair Isle, including 7,000-year-old saunas and sophisticated sea wall defense systems. He suggests Doggerland may be one of many "Atlantis-like" civilizations that existed globally after the Ice Age, challenging previous beliefs about when human civilization truly began.
Key Takeaways
Doggerland was once a landmass connecting Britain to continental Europe that remained inhabited until around 7,000 BCE when rising sea levels submerged it.
Advanced archaeological mapping has revealed sophisticated structures like stone circles beneath the North Sea, suggesting more complex prehistoric societies than previously thought.
Multiple "Atlantis-like" civilizations may have existed globally along coastlines after the Ice Age, many of which were lost to rising sea levels.
Graham Phillips: Archaeological Adventurer
The Modern Historical Detective
Graham Phillips stands as one of Britain's best-selling non-fiction authors with more than 40 years of experience and 18 published books. His work spans numerous historical mysteries and archaeological pursuits that have earned him comparisons to Indiana Jones. Phillips approaches historical enigmas with methodical research and a detective's mindset.
His investigations cover fascinating subjects including Alexander the Great's death, William Shakespeare's secret life, and the mysteries surrounding King Arthur. These works showcase his ability to examine historical accounts with fresh perspectives.
Ancient Mysteries Explored
Phillips has devoted significant time to investigating ancient civilizations and their lost knowledge. His research into historical events combines archaeological evidence with textual analysis to present new theories about pivotal moments in history.
When examining artifacts like the Ark of the Covenant, Phillips has uncovered evidence suggesting there may have been two such objects. One was reportedly created at Mount Sinai and later housed in Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem around 1000 BCE. After Solomon's death, Ethiopian tradition suggests one of his sons created a replica to remain in Jerusalem while taking the original to Ethiopia.
The second Ark apparently made its way to the region near Petra in Jordan before both versions disappeared from historical record. This dual-Ark theory represents the kind of historical puzzle Phillips regularly tackles.
Searching for Lost Treasures
Phillips' quest for historical relics has taken him across multiple continents. His investigations into famous artifacts include:
The Holy Grail
The Ark of the Covenant
The Staff of Moses
His recent work examines Doggerland, a submerged landmass that once connected Britain to continental Europe. Phillips discovered evidence of advanced Stone Age settlements in this region, including structures similar to Stonehenge but much older, now lying beneath the North Sea.
On Fair Isle, surviving remnants of this civilization revealed 7,000-year-old saunas—predating Finnish versions by thousands of years. These ancient people also developed sophisticated sea wall defenses using vitrified stone technology that required extremely high temperatures.
Phillips proposes that many "lost civilizations" like Doggerland may have existed worldwide, with rising sea levels after the Ice Age submerging these coastal proto-civilizations. His research suggests that what we know as Atlantis might represent just one of many advanced cultures lost to rising waters.
Exploring the Sacred Container of the Divine Covenant
The Dual Arks Mystery
The Ark of the Covenant presents a fascinating historical puzzle, as evidence suggests there may have been two distinct arks. The first was reportedly created at Mount Sinai when Moses received the Ten Commandments. This original ark was eventually housed in the Jerusalem Temple around 1000 BCE, in a structure specifically designed to contain this sacred object.
Following Solomon's death, his kingdom fractured into two competing factions led by his sons. According to Ethiopian tradition, one of Solomon's sons commissioned a replica of the Ark to deceive the temple guardians while removing the original to Ethiopia. This created two separate artifact lineages with different final destinations.
The historical record indicates that while one ark appears to have been transported to Ethiopia, the other eventually made its way to the Sinai wilderness near Petra in modern-day Jordan. Both of these sacred artifacts have subsequently disappeared from documented history, leaving their ultimate fates shrouded in mystery.
The Ethiopian Connection
The Ethiopian tradition regarding the Ark represents one of the most persistent and detailed claims about its whereabouts. According to this narrative, a son of Solomon orchestrated an elaborate deception to secure the original Ark for Ethiopia. This involved creating a convincing replica that remained in Jerusalem while the authentic artifact was secretly transported to Africa.
This tradition forms a central element of Ethiopian religious identity and history. Many believe the Ark continues to reside in Ethiopia today, specifically in a church where it remains under constant guard. The sacred object is considered so holy that few, if any, are permitted to view it directly.
Key aspects of the Ethiopian tradition:
The Ark arrived during Solomon's dynasty
A replica was left in Jerusalem as a decoy
The original Ark has remained in Ethiopia since its arrival
The artifact is preserved as a sacred relic of immense spiritual significance
Final Resting Places
The ultimate locations of both Arks remain among history's most compelling mysteries. The Ethiopian claim centers on the Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion in Axum, where tradition holds that the original Ark remains under strict protection. Only a single appointed guardian is permitted direct access to the sacred object, maintaining an unbroken chain of custodianship.
The second Ark's fate is less clearly documented. Historical accounts suggest it was transported to the region around Petra in Jordan, within the Sinai wilderness. However, its precise location and condition remain unknown. Archaeological expeditions have yet to uncover definitive evidence of either Ark.
Ark of the Covenant Locations
Original (per Ethiopian tradition)
Last Known Location: Church in Axum, Ethiopia
Current Status: Allegedly still preserved
Second Ark
Last Known Location: Sinai Wilderness/Petra region
Current Status: Unknown/missing
The search for these sacred artifacts continues to inspire both scholarly research and adventurous expeditions. Their historical significance extends beyond religious importance to represent a tangible connection to ancient biblical events that shaped multiple faith traditions.
Exploring the Ancient Lost Lands
The Sunken Territory Between Britain and Europe
Doggerland was once a vast area of dry land connecting the British Isles to Continental Europe, including France, Germany, and Scandinavia. This region remained above sea level for thousands of years after the Ice Age, hosting human populations until approximately 7000 BCE when rising water levels began to submerge much of the territory. Recent discoveries suggest that a smaller island portion of Doggerland, roughly the size of Rhode Island, persisted off Scotland's northeastern coast until around 5000 BCE.
The area now lies beneath the North Sea, which spans 600 miles in length and 360 miles in width between Great Britain, Denmark, Norway, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and France. Modern technological advances in seafloor mapping have revealed extraordinary archaeological findings beneath these waters.
Remarkable Archaeological Discoveries
The archaeological significance of Doggerland has grown substantially with recent technological innovations. Advanced radar, sonar, and other sophisticated mapping instruments have uncovered stone circles similar to Stonehenge but considerably older, resting on the seabed. These structures suggest the builders of Stonehenge may have originated from this now-submerged island.
Evidence of remarkable technological advancement has been found on Fair Isle, a tiny remnant of Doggerland still above sea level:
Ancient saunas dating back 7,000 years, predating Finnish saunas by millennia
Advanced sea wall defenses constructed from vitrified stone
Stone melting techniques requiring extremely high temperatures
Doggerland represents one of many "lost lands" worldwide that disappeared beneath rising waters at the end of the Ice Age. These findings challenge conventional understanding that civilization began only 5,000 years ago with the Sumerians and Egyptians. Instead, proto-civilizations with substantial settlements existed much earlier, with many developing along coastlines that later became submerged.
Similar submerged ancient settlements have been discovered worldwide, including:
South America
North America
Various parts of Europe
China
India
These discoveries collectively suggest multiple advanced societies may have existed far earlier than traditionally believed, only to be claimed by rising sea levels.
North Sea Geography
The North Sea forms a significant body of water between several European nations. It stretches approximately 600 miles in length and 360 miles in width, creating a substantial maritime region. The sea borders multiple countries including Great Britain, Denmark, Norway, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and France.
What many people don't realize is that this sea wasn't always there. Thousands of years ago, a landmass called Doggerland connected the British Isles to continental Europe, including France, Germany, and Scandinavia. This area remained above sea level for many millennia after the Ice Age.
Between 10,000 BCE and 7,000 BCE, rising water levels gradually submerged most of Doggerland. However, due to post-glacial rebound—where land rises after being freed from ice sheet pressure—a portion of Doggerland survived as an island approximately the size of Rhode Island off Scotland's northeast coast until about 5,000 years ago.
Recent technological advances have allowed scientists to map the seabed with unprecedented detail. These surveys have revealed remarkable discoveries, including submerged stone circles predating Stonehenge. These structures suggest the inhabitants possessed more advanced capabilities than previously thought.
Fair Isle, a small island that remains above sea level in the North Sea today, provides fascinating archaeological evidence about these ancient peoples. Excavations have uncovered 7,000-year-old saunas, predating Finnish examples by thousands of years. Even more impressive, these people constructed sophisticated sea walls using vitrified stone—a technique requiring extremely high temperatures to literally melt rock into solid barriers.
The submergence of Doggerland represents just one example of coastal civilizations lost to rising seas following the Ice Age. Archaeological evidence increasingly suggests that organized settlements and proto-civilizations existed much earlier than the conventional timeline of civilization beginning with Sumerians and Egyptians around 5,000 years ago.
Underwater Structures of the North Sea
Stone Circles Predating Stonehenge
Ancient stone structures discovered beneath the North Sea reveal a sophisticated prehistoric society that existed before rising sea levels submerged the land bridge connecting Britain to continental Europe. These stone circles resemble Stonehenge but are significantly older, dating back approximately 8,000 years compared to Stonehenge's 5,000-year history. Advanced mapping of the seabed using sonar and radar technology has revealed these remarkable structures, challenging previous assumptions about prehistoric capabilities.
The sophisticated arrangement of these underwater monuments suggests these ancient peoples possessed greater engineering knowledge than previously credited. These stone circles served as gathering places, likely for ceremonial or astronomical purposes similar to their later counterparts. The careful alignment and positioning of the stones indicate a society with a developed understanding of seasonal patterns and celestial movements.
Evidence of Advanced Prehistoric Settlements
Archaeological discoveries in the remnants of Doggerland have uncovered remarkable technological achievements. On Fair Isle, one of the few surviving fragments of this submerged land, researchers found what appear to be functioning saunas dating to 7,000 years ago—predating Finnish saunas by 6,000 years. This challenges conventional timelines of technological development in northern Europe.
Even more impressive were the sophisticated sea defense systems created by these ancient inhabitants. These structures consisted of:
Massive rock embankments forming protective barriers
Vitrified stone walls created through specialized heating techniques
Engineering methods requiring extremely high temperatures to melt stone
The ability to manipulate materials at such high temperatures demonstrates remarkable technological sophistication. These findings suggest the inhabitants possessed advanced knowledge of construction and material properties, forcing archaeologists to reconsider the timeline of human technological development. Rather than civilization beginning 5,000 years ago with the Sumerians and Egyptians, evidence points to proto-civilizations with substantial settlements along coastal areas dating back 12,000 years or more.
Many of these early coastal societies were ultimately submerged by rising sea levels following the Ice Age, preserving their structures beneath the waves for millennia until modern technology allowed their detection.
Advanced Stone Age Innovations
Fair Isle Finds
Archaeological excavations on Fair Isle in the North Sea have revealed surprisingly sophisticated technologies dating back 7,000 years. Researchers discovered what appear to be functional saunas, predating Finnish versions by approximately 6,000 years. These structures show that Neolithic inhabitants had developed complex thermal systems far earlier than previously believed.
The island also yielded evidence of remarkable engineering feats. Stone sea wall defenses demonstrate that these ancient people could construct large-scale protective barriers. Most impressively, they developed a technique to vitrify stone—essentially melting rocks together to form solid walls. This process requires extremely high temperatures, indicating they possessed advanced knowledge of thermal manipulation that wasn't thought possible during this period.
Building Methods and Metal Work
The inhabitants of this region developed construction techniques that challenge our understanding of Neolithic capabilities. Their ability to create vitrified stone fortifications involved arranging large quantities of rock in lengthy embankments, then somehow generating sufficient heat to fuse these materials together. The exact method remains unclear, though it likely involved controlled burning of specific materials.
These discoveries align with findings across other submerged prehistoric sites where proto-civilizations flourished. Archaeological mapping using advanced radar and sonar technologies has revealed Stone circles beneath the North Sea that predate Stonehenge by thousands of years. These underwater structures suggest complex social organization and astronomical knowledge among people previously dismissed as simple hunter-gatherers.
Stone circles found beneath the sea floor bear striking similarities to later monuments like Stonehenge, indicating a potential cultural connection between these submerged societies and later land-based civilizations. The technological sophistication demonstrated at these sites suggests knowledge transfer occurred between these ancient communities before rising sea levels transformed the landscape.
The Lost Realm Beneath the Waves
The North Sea harbors secrets of an ancient civilization that once flourished on dry land connecting Britain to continental Europe. This submerged territory, known as Doggerland, represents one of history's most fascinating lost worlds. Archaeological evidence suggests these early settlers achieved remarkable technological and social advancements long before previously recognized civilizations emerged.
Editorial Perspective
Graham Phillips, described by many as a "historical detective" and "modern-day adventurer," has investigated this underwater mystery extensively. His research challenges conventional understanding of prehistoric societies, suggesting that sophisticated communities existed in this region thousands of years earlier than commonly believed. The evidence points to advanced construction techniques and social organization that rival later, more recognized civilizations.
Stone circles similar to Stonehenge but significantly older have been discovered on the seabed through modern sonar and radar mapping. These structures indicate ritual or astronomical significance that predates known megalithic cultures. On Fair Isle, archaeologists uncovered 7,000-year-old saunas—predating Finnish examples by millennia—demonstrating sophisticated understanding of heat and wellness.
Ancient Advanced Societies
Evidence increasingly suggests that multiple advanced societies existed globally following the last Ice Age—approximately 12,000 years ago. These proto-civilizations emerged along coastlines worldwide, developing significant settlements with populations reaching into the thousands.
Notable characteristics of these early societies include:
Advanced engineering: The ability to vitrify stone through extremely high temperatures
Sophisticated architecture: Construction of defensive sea walls and ritual structures
Social organization: Communities large enough to coordinate major building projects
Technological innovation: Development of heating systems and specialized structures
As sea levels rose following the Ice Age, many of these coastal settlements were gradually submerged. This pattern of flooding occurred globally, potentially explaining why similar "lost civilization" legends appear across diverse cultures from South America to China. Rather than a single Atlantis, Phillips suggests multiple advanced societies may have faced similar fates as rising waters claimed their coastal territories.
Fate of Coastal Civilizations
The rising sea levels following the Ice Age dramatically altered human habitation patterns around the world. Doggerland, a substantial landmass that once connected Britain to continental Europe, represents one of these lost territories. Unlike the commonly held belief that civilization began with the Sumerians and Egyptians around 5,000 years ago, archaeological evidence now points to earlier proto-civilizations.
Archaeological advances have revealed Stone circles beneath the North Sea, predating Stonehenge by thousands of years. These structures suggest sophisticated societies existed in areas now submerged. The gradual submersion of Doggerland occurred as ice sheets melted and sea levels rose between 10,000 and 5,000 BCE.
Fair Isle, a small remnant of this former landmass, provides remarkable insights into these ancient peoples' capabilities. Archaeologists have discovered 7,000-year-old saunas there, predating Finnish versions by millennia. These early inhabitants also possessed the remarkable ability to construct vitrified sea walls, demonstrating advanced knowledge of heat manipulation to melt stone into solid defensive structures.
Similar submerged proto-civilizations have been identified worldwide. Evidence from Turkey shows organized settlements dating back 12,000 years, with many early civilizations established along coastlines that later flooded. These discoveries challenge traditional timelines of human development.
The pattern of coastal settlements succumbing to rising waters appears consistently across continents:
Europe: Doggerland and other North Sea territories
Americas: Both northern and southern continental shores
Asia: Coastal regions of China and India
These findings suggest multiple "Atlantis-like" scenarios occurred globally rather than a single lost continent. The common element in these disappearances was not catastrophic flooding but the gradual rise of sea levels following the last Ice Age, forcing coastal populations to migrate inland or perish.
