#2546 - Michael Button

Michael Button argues that archaeology is currently unable to adequately address three critical questions regarding human history: the emergence of civilization, the timing of human intelligence, and the initial human migrations to isolated land masses. He asserts that civilization appeared independently in various locations around the world simultaneously after hundreds of thousands of years of human existence.

Button, a YouTuber with a degree in ancient history, has dedicated himself to full-time research in the field. He criticizes mainstream academia for adhering to established timelines and dismissing new findings, such as evidence indicating that the Amazon was once densely populated, contrary to the belief that it was sparsely inhabited. He highlights the role of new technologies like LIDAR in revealing hidden ancient cities in the Amazon, suggesting that the timeline for civilization may extend back to 12,000 years ago, challenging the previously accepted 6,000-year marker.

He discusses the evolving understanding of human intelligence, noting that evidence now suggests it spans over a million years, contradicting the earlier belief that intelligence emerged around 50,000 years ago. Button also explores the implications of psychoactive substances in ancient cultures, referencing Jesse Michaels' theory that ergot may have influenced agricultural advancements. He points to archaeological evidence of the intentional use of psychoactive substances dating back over 4,000 years, indicating that ancient cultures experimented with these substances extensively.

Button emphasizes the significance of sites like Gobekli Tapa, which is larger than Stonehenge and has only been partially excavated, as potentially containing crucial artifacts for understanding ancient civilizations. He believes that the timeline of civilization has effectively doubled from 6,000 to 12,000 years, and he acknowledges the challenges posed by the incompleteness of the fossil record in understanding the past. He predicts that ongoing discoveries will continue to reshape our understanding of civilization and its origins.

He presents evidence suggesting that early humans had advanced seafaring capabilities, with a paper proposing that some humans crossed ocean boundaries to reach Sulawesi. The discovery of ancient stone tools on Flores, Luzon, and Sulawesi, dated between 700,000 and 2 million years old, indicates deliberate sea crossings rather than accidental drift. This challenges the previously held belief that complex language and organization emerged only with modern humans, suggesting that early humans possessed modern intelligence and organizational skills much earlier than previously thought.

Button also notes a significant drop in genetic diversity around 6,000 years ago, linked to increased violence associated with the transition from nomadic to stationary living due to agriculture. He mentions the existence of a copper industry in North America 9,000 years ago, suggesting that ancient civilizations may have had advanced technologies that have since been lost. He emphasizes that our understanding of history is still evolving, with the potential for future discoveries to reshape knowledge, particularly through modern technologies like AI and Lidar.

He discusses a million-year-old human skull found in China, suggesting that modern humans with modern brains existed much earlier than previously thought, challenging established timelines of human evolution. Button also addresses the Jungshan fossils, which may indicate that Homo sapiens diverged before one million years ago, contradicting earlier assumptions about human ancestry. He highlights the complexity of ancient civilizations, noting that advanced craftsmanship is evident in structures like the Kaliasa temple and the Barabar caves.

The episode also touches on archaeological findings in the Americas, suggesting human presence dating back at least 22,000 years, and possibly as far back as 50,000 years, although this evidence remains contentious. Button discusses the Sahara's historical context, which was once a lush environment, indicating that undiscovered archaeological material could significantly alter our understanding of civilization's origins. He concludes with a mention of ongoing issues related to the legality and ethics of artifact acquisition, including a significant FBI case involving the illegal collection of artifacts.

Button highlights that there is much more to human history than previously understood, with many young archaeologists feeling constrained by traditional academic structures. He critiques the Clovis first paradigm and discusses evidence suggesting earlier human presence in the Americas. He also notes that the oldest evidence of advanced surgery dates back 31,000 years, indicating sophisticated medical knowledge among prehistoric humans. He argues that agriculture and civilization emerged globally shortly after the onset of the holocaust, and he presents evidence of civilizations in the Amazon, indicating a longer human presence in the Americas.

He discusses the phenomenon of simultaneous innovation across different regions, suggesting a shared field of information among humans, although this remains speculative. Button questions why agriculture did not emerge during earlier warm periods and mentions emerging evidence of symbolic notation used by humans earlier than the advent of writing. He concludes by discussing the presence of ancient symbolic traditions across various regions, indicating that the ability to convey information symbolically is a marker of sophisticated intelligence.