ABSTRACT
Speculation and investigation into the supposed lost continents has ranged from genuine scientific and archaeological research, through the whole range of pseudo-sciences into the occult. Many occult traditions claim their origins in the religious traditions of the lost continents. But, there is little historic and scientific evidence to give a sound basis to speculation that lost continents did exist; this is not to deny their existence, but merely to place them in the realm of theory, rather than fact. Eventually the continents and the civilizations were destroyed–either by natural disasters or by man-made means. Throughout history man has tended to look backwards towards an age of perfection, a time when human achievements were greater, human life happier and the world a better place. In religious terms this has usually meant a time when the gods were upon earth; in secular terms it has led to theories of pre-historical civilizations exceeding, or at least equalling modern technology.
