Explore these fascinating Ancient Apocalypse locations from the Netflix show. Could these ancient sites hold the secrets of a lost civilization?
The Netflix series Ancient Apocalypse, hosted by Graham Hancock, challenges mainstream archaeology by suggesting that an advanced civilization may have existed before the end of the last Ice Age.
According to Hancock, this civilization was wiped out by catastrophic events, leaving behind only scattered remnants. His theory is controversial, but the sites he explores raise intriguing questions about the true origins of human civilization.
Ancient Apocalypse Locations
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From submerged ruins to vast underground cities, these locations suggest that history may be far older and more complex than we currently believe. Here’s a closer look at the sites that could change our understanding of the past.
#1. Gunung Padang, Indonesia
A Pyramid Older Than Civilization?
Gunung Padang is a massive megalithic site in Indonesia that some researchers claim could be the world’s oldest pyramid-like structure, potentially dating back to 20,000 BCE.
If true, this challenges mainstream history, which places the rise of civilization much later. The site consists of thousands of stone terraces, and underground scans suggest deeper layers built over vast periods.
Hancock argues that Gunung Padang could be a remnant of an advanced Ice Age civilization lost to catastrophic events. Critics dismiss this, claiming the site is a natural formation, but ongoing excavations fuel the debate.
What to see and do: Enjoy jungle trekking, ancient stone structures, and hidden underground chambers.
#2. Derinkuyu, Turkey
An Underground City for Doomsday?
Derinkuyu is an astonishing underground city in Turkey, extending 200 feet below the surface and capable of housing over 20,000 people.
Featuring stables, food storage, ventilation shafts, and even a religious space, this vast subterranean network suggests it was built for survival. Mainstream archaeologists believe it was used by early Christians to escape persecution, but Hancock proposes a more ancient origin.
He theorizes that Derinkuyu’s Underground City was constructed as a refuge from a cataclysm, such as a comet impact or a rapid climate shift at the end of the Ice Age. How such a sophisticated underground complex was built remains a mystery.
What to see and do: Claustrophobic tunnels, labyrinthine chambers, and an eerie sense of ancient survival.
#3. Bimini Road, The Bahamas
The Lost Highway to Atlantis?
Bimini Road is an underwater formation off the coast of the Bahamas that consists of large, flat limestone blocks arranged in a linear pattern.
Some researchers believe it could be the remnants of an ancient, lost civilization, possibly even Atlantis. Hancock suggests that these submerged structures were once part of a prehistoric city that was swallowed by rising sea levels at the end of the Ice Age.
Skeptics argue that the formations are naturally occurring, but the near-perfect alignment of the stones raises questions. If artificial, Bimini Road could be evidence of ancient engineering far older than we’ve imagined.
What to see and do: Scuba diving through crystal-clear waters, exploring submerged ruins, and searching for lost history.
#4. Göbekli Tepe, Turkey
The World’s Oldest Temple?
Göbekli Tepe is a 12,000-year-old archaeological site in Turkey, considered the world’s earliest known temple. Its massive T-shaped stone pillars, adorned with intricate animal carvings, suggest it was built by a highly skilled and organized society.
The site predates the agricultural revolution, challenging the conventional belief that civilization only emerged after farming began. Hancock argues that Göbekli Tepe is evidence of an advanced Ice Age culture that passed down knowledge to later civilizations.
Unlike most ancient structures, it was deliberately buried, raising speculation that its builders sought to preserve it for future generations — or to hide it from an impending disaster.
What to see and do: Remote desert exploration, ancient carvings, and a glimpse into humanity’s forgotten past.
#5. Maltese Temples, Malta
Megalithic Marvels on a Tiny Island
The megalithic temples of Malta date back to 3600 BCE, making them older than the Great Pyramids of Egypt. These temples feature massive limestone blocks, some weighing over 20 tons, and exhibit advanced astronomical alignments.
Hancock suggests that these sites may be remnants of an even older, lost civilization that passed its knowledge to later builders.
- Ġgantija Temples (Gozo) – Older than the pyramids, these massive limestone structures were once believed to have been built by giants.
- Ħaġar Qim (Malta) – Perched on a hill overlooking the sea, this temple features intricate carvings and aligns with the solstices.
- Mnajdra (Malta) – Located near Ħaġar Qim, this temple’s precise solar alignment suggests advanced astronomical knowledge.
- Tarxien Temples (Malta) – Known for its detailed stone carvings, including spirals and animal motifs, hinting at ancient rituals.
- Skorba Temples (Malta) – A lesser-known but crucial site, offering insights into Malta’s earliest settlers and temple builders.
- Ta’ Ħagrat Temples (Malta) – Featuring a well-preserved entrance and two main structures, this site showcases early temple design.
- Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum (Malta) – A mysterious underground necropolis (thought to be where giants live), carved into rock over 5,000 years ago, used for burials and rituals.
The purpose of the ancient temples of Malta remains uncertain, but their precise construction raises questions about the level of engineering skill in ancient times. Could Malta have been a key location for a prehistoric seafaring civilization lost to history?
What to see and do: Island hopping, exploring mysterious ruins, and connecting with ancient engineering wonders. Choose the Malta Multi-Pass to visit all of these temples as well as other attractions on Malta.
#6. Mexican Cenotes, Mexico
Sinkholes of the Gods
Cenotes are natural sinkholes filled with water, considered sacred by the Maya civilization. Some cenotes contain human remains and artifacts, suggesting they were used for ritual sacrifices.
Hancock links these sudden mass deaths to a cataclysmic event, such as a comet impact or environmental collapse. The Younger Dryas impact hypothesis suggests that a comet hit North America around 12,800 years ago, triggering massive fires, climate shifts, and societal collapse.
If this theory holds, cenotes could provide clues about the aftermath of this disaster. These stunning natural formations are not just beautiful — they might hold secrets of a lost past.
What to see and do: Cave diving, swimming in sacred waters, and discovering ancient relics.
#7. Great Pyramid of Cholula, Mexico
The Biggest Pyramid You’ve Never Heard Of
The Great Pyramid of Cholula is the largest pyramid by volume in the world — four times bigger than the Great Pyramid of Giza — yet it remains largely unknown.
Unlike the stone pyramids of Egypt, this one is made of adobe and is now covered by grass, making it resemble a natural hill. Hancock suggests that its construction reflects an ancient, global tradition of monumental building that may have been influenced by an earlier civilization.
Archaeologists have found buried tunnels and ceremonial platforms within the Great Pyramid of Cholula, hinting at its long and complex history. Could it be a forgotten relic of an advanced culture?
What to see and do: Climbing the pyramid, exploring hidden tunnels, and unraveling a forgotten past.
#8. Nan Madol, Micronesia
The Mysterious Floating City of Stone
Hidden deep in the Pacific on Pohnpei island in the Federated States of Micronesia, is a mysterious city built on 100 artificial islets – Nan Madol – featuring massive basalt stone structures that defy explanation.
Some stones weigh over 50 tons, yet there is no clear record of how they were transported or constructed. Mainstream archaeology dates Nan Madol to around 1200 CE, but Hancock suggests it could be linked to a much older civilization.
The site’s layout, resembling a lost city swallowed by the sea, aligns with theories of a prehistoric culture wiped out by rising waters. Its abandoned ruins and intricate canals continue to raise questions about its true origins and purpose.
What to see and do: Navigate ancient canals, explore massive basalt ruins and waterfalls, and trek through dense jungle to uncover a lost city.
These sites are more than just remnants of the past — they are portals to forgotten stories, unexplained mysteries, and the possibility of a lost chapter in human history.
Whether you seek adventure, discovery, or a deeper connection to ancient civilizations, these locations challenge everything we think we know. Are you ready to explore the world’s greatest unsolved mysteries for yourself?
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