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Earth Chronicles #4

The Lost Realms

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In the sixteenth century, Spanish conquerors came to the New World in search of El Dorado, the fabled city of gold. Instead, they encountered inexplicable phenomena that have puzzled scholars and historians ever massive stone edifices constructed in the Earth's most inaccessible regions ... great monuments forged with impossible skill and unknown tools ... intricate carvings describing the events and topography of half a world away. In this, the remarkable and thoroughly researched fourth volume of THE EARTH CHRONICLES, author Zecharia Sitchin uncovers the long-hidden secrets of the lost civilizations of the pre-Columbian Americas and offers documentation of the giant gods who spawned the greatness of the Incans, Mayans, and Aztecs -- the Anunnaki -- "those who from Heaven to Earth came."

298 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

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About the author

Zecharia Sitchin

193 books775 followers
Sitchin was born in Baku, Azerbaijan, and was raised in Palestine. He acquired knowledge of modern and ancient Hebrew, other Semitic and European languages, the Torah, and the history and archeology of the Near East.
He was one of the few scholars able to read and interpret ancient Sumerian and Akkadian clay tablets.

Sitchin graduated from the London School of Economics, University of London, majoring in economic history.

A journalist and editor in Israel for many years. His books have been widely translated, converted to braille for the blind, and featured on radio and television.

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5 stars
455 (46%)
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293 (29%)
3 stars
172 (17%)
2 stars
39 (3%)
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20 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
Profile Image for Kaberoi Rua.
238 reviews28 followers
November 1, 2017
Sitchin’s The Lost Realms, the fourth book in the Revolutionary Earth Chronicle series is another amazing read from the seven book series. Sitchin integrates archaeological, mythological, and textual evidence exposing associations’ between ancient Mesopotamia and prehistoric Mesoamerica- associations’ that reveal the Pyramids and “cities of the gods” in prehistoric Mexico, the Mayan mastery of astronomy, the secrets of the Olmec calendar, and the existence of the hoariest metropolis in the Americas on the shores of Lake Titicaca. He exquisitely displays how the main Mesoamerican god, Quetzalcoatl was actually the Egyptian god, Thoth. Frustrated in his effort to assume supremacy in civilized Sumer, Marduk/Ra seized upon the granting of civilization to the Egyptians to return to that land and reclaim its lordship from his brother Thoth. Now Thoth found himself a god without a people; accompanied by some his faithful followers he chose an abode in the New Realms-in Mesoamerica. The links between the ancient Near East and prehistoric Mesoamerica are simply stunning. I gave this book a 3 due to a few slow chapters, not as captivating as book I and Book III but I still thoroughly enjoyed the evidence and connections of Mesoamerica with the ancient Near East.

I recommend reading this book with an open-mind and let go of any tendencies to search for, interpret, favor, and recall information in a way that confirms one’s preexisting beliefs or hypotheses –confirmation bias.
Profile Image for Aaron Meyer.
Author 9 books57 followers
September 20, 2015
Another very interesting book. There is so much to think about after reading this. Even if you disregard the annunaki and just consider the historical and linguistic evidence as well as the mythological tales, the fact is there is definitely something to this and the status quo of the academic world just doesn't want to accept it because it will not fit their preconceived notions of how the world is. How sad. Am definitely looking forward to the next and final volume.
Profile Image for Matt.
750 reviews
April 11, 2018
Any contact between the “old world” and the “new world” before Columbus—besides the Norse—has been font of speculation writers for decades if not centuries, but what if contact was orchestrated by an otherworldly source? The Lost Realms is the fourth book by Zecharia Sitchin in his The Earth Chronicles as he explores Mesoamerican and South American structures, hieroglyphics, and oral histories in conjunction with the same from Sumer to reveal their connection.

Beginning with the Spanish arrival in the Americas, Sitchin recounts their wonder at the structures and the treasures of the cultures they encountered, plundered, and destroyed in their conquests. He then transitions to determining “who the Amerindians were” and then analyzing their architectural achievements as well as the cultural histories that were displayed on their walls, comparing them to sites in Sumer and Egypt as well as noting their many similarities especially in astronomical alignments. Sitchin begins relating the mineral wealth that was not only historically located in both regions but are also currently still being mined even today. Finally Sitchin wrapped up his book by connecting events in Sumer, especially relating to tin shortage then sudden abundance, to those in the Americas as brought about by the “gods”.

As with previous books, this one began academically but unlike previous ones this one remained so for the vast majority as Sitchin thoroughly detailed the cultures and sites so as to give evidence for his closing arguments. Yet at times this academic approach became tedious with minute detailing that seemed more to be more word padding than anything else. However, this book was still the shortest of the series with less than 280 pages of text and with a bigger font than previous volumes as well. The final chapter of the book was the payoff as Sitchin used the evidenced he had brought—without repeating it which overwhelmingly helped—to argue for the Annunaki intervention in the Americas led by Adad (Viracocha) and Thoth (Quetzalcoatl).

My remembrance of The Lost Realm was completely different upon my rereading, but despite that the book’s detail is its strength while its minuteness is a liability. Sitchin’s argument for his theory is better presented with less redundancy that has plagued others. Overall this is a good book written by Sitchin to advance his theory.
Profile Image for Socrate.
6,745 reviews270 followers
December 22, 2021
În analele Europei descoperirea Lumii Noi poartă marca El Dorado şi a neîncetatei goane după aur. Dar conchistadorii nu şi-au dat seama că reluau o căutare ce avusese loc cu multe milenii înainte în aceste ţinuturi noi
Cronicile şi legendele vorbesc despre zgârcenie, jaf şi distrugere din capriciu şi conţin mărturii ale uimirii care i-a încercat pe europeni atunci când au găsit aici civilizaţii atât de asemănătoare cu cele din lumea veche: regate şi curţi regale, oraşe şi incinte sacre, arta şi poezie, temple înalţe până la cer, preoţi şi simbolul crucii, credinţa într-un Atoatecreator. Şi mai erau şi legendele despre zeii albi cu barbă care plecaseră, dar care promiseseră că se vor întoarce
Enigmaticii mayaşi, azteci şi incaşi şi misterioşii lor strămoşi i-au uimit pe conchistadori şi îi mai uimesc încă pe specialişti şi pe profani 5 secole mai târziu.
Cum când şi unde au apărut astfel de civilizaţii în Lumea Noua? Să fie doar o coincidenţă faptul că pe măsură ce aflăm mai mult despre aceste civilizaţii, ele par să fi fost modelate după cele din orientul apropiat. Opinia noastră este că nu vom găsi răspuns la această întrebare decât dacă acceptăm ca pe un fapt, nu ca un mit, prezenta pe pământ a zeilor Anunnaki, "Cei care s-au pogorât din cer pe pământ"
Profile Image for Mark Austin.
601 reviews5 followers
May 14, 2016
★ - Most books with this rating I never finish and so don't make this list. This one I probably started speed-reading to get it over with.
★★ - Average. Wasn't terrible, but not a lot to recommend it. Probably skimmed parts of it.
★★★ - Decent. A few good ideas, well-written passages, interesting characters, or the like.
★★★★ - Good. This one had parts that inspired me, impressed me, made me laugh out loud, made me think - it got positive reactions and most of the rest of it was pretty decent too.
★★★★★ - Amazing. This is the best I've read of its genre, the ones I hold on to so I can re-read them and/or loan them out to people looking for a great book. The best of these change the way I look at the world and operate within it.
Profile Image for Steve Cran.
953 reviews103 followers
May 4, 2023
Call this the Sumerian origins of Meso-American Civilization. I am convinced of that more than ever, especially after reading this work by Zecharia Sitchin. He proves his points well, not sure if I buy into the whole ancient alien theory but it does have merit.
When the Europeans from Spain came, they found, much to their surprise, they found a highly advanced civilization that would rival anything found in Europe. They had kings, militaries, hospitals, and plenty of gold. The gold was reserved for the gods. The Spaniards wanted it and waged wars over it. Starting with the Aztecs they took over civilization by kidnapping the leader an demanding gold. First the Mayans, then Aztecs and the list goes on. They went searching for gold, obviously they found a bunch of it. The Catholic church wanted to convert the population and destroyed religious building and religious texts.
Starting with the Aztecs, who were they. They Nuatl people and they descend from someone In a cave. They were told to move to different locations much like the Israelites. They came from Aztlan but no one knows where that is. But the Aztecs were not the ones who started all this.
The Olmecs were the first. It is speculated that they arrived here on boats from across the Atlantic. They have African features. Evidence is in the large head uncovered on the Yucatan Peninsula. In their company were semitic looking people. It can be speculated that they were originally from Egypt and that they may have ventured over on Phoenician ships. In the end they were massacred by the Indians. Other groups were present like the Maya and Inca.
In all these groups one finds names, place names and god names that are eerily similar to Sumerian, Egyptian and Israelite names and places. While this leaves no doubt in my mid that they came from the Middle East originally, why did they come over there to the America’s?
Back in Sumeria they used tin to make Bronze. It was a metal that made for good weapons and good utensils. It was a combination of copper and tin. They were running out of Tin. Many place names where it was mined had a Sumerian type name that implied the meaning of tin. They got tin from here. They also got gold and the Annunaki needed gold for their defective atmosphere.
Many of the pyramids and building were done in a style reminiscent to Sumerian and Egyptian architecture and there was similar pictographic writing. Many of their tales are very similar to tales or myths that come out of the middle east or Africa. The next question is how did they know to find tin there? How did they get this knowledge? Could have been trial and error got shipwrecked and just happened to find the place, or someone who was more advanced and had been there told them about it. Who were these advanced beings? Some say that there was the remnants of an advanced civilization that went around and helped these people or it was aliens. Could have been either one.
The theory point out a lot of flaws in our way of thinking about human history. Like how did these civilizations just pop up out of nowhere? How did humans become human so quickly with no phases of development being recorded.
Profile Image for Zdenek Sykora.
435 reviews20 followers
March 4, 2024
"The Lost Realms," the fourth book in Zecharia Sitchin's groundbreaking "The Earth Chronicles" series, transports readers to the ancient landscapes of the Americas, unveiling the enigmatic history and pre-Columbian civilizations that thrived long before European explorers set foot on the New World. Sitchin's compelling narrative intertwines archaeological findings, mythological narratives, and his interpretation of ancient texts to argue that the history of the Americas is far older and more intriguing than traditionally believed.

This installment stands out for its daring exploration of connections between the ancient civilizations of the Near East and the pre-Columbian societies of the Americas. Sitchin's meticulous research and vivid descriptions of sites such as Teotihuacan in Mexico and Tiwanaku in Bolivia offer a captivating vision of a world where ancient astronauts interacted with human societies, leaving an indelible mark on their development.

"The Lost Realms" is a testament to Sitchin's extraordinary ability to challenge our understanding of history and to weave a narrative that is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining. His synthesis of scientific analysis with ancient lore makes for an engaging read that not only enlightens but also inspires a deeper appreciation for the complexities of ancient civilizations. Whether one is a long-time follower of "The Earth Chronicles" or a newcomer to Sitchin's theories, this book is a fascinating journey through the forgotten chapters of human history, inviting readers to question what they know and explore the possibilities of what history has yet to reveal.
632 reviews3 followers
March 6, 2024
The specialty of Sitchin was the Near East, especially Sumer, and Babylon, still one of the most interesting books on the Meso-American civilization is this one. His insights on the Olmecs, Aztecs, Mayas, and Incas are just brilliant, The book is easy to read, and has many fabulous interpretations of the iconography and costumes of these ancient peoples, some may think it is too imaginative but it does leave me wonder in quite a few bits, he also pointed out many similarities between these cultures and the Near east ones. If you like Sitchin you must buy this book, the first four books of the Earth Chronicles series are just amazing.
Profile Image for Darren High.
160 reviews4 followers
June 26, 2025
Another great book by Zecharia Sitchin. The books in these series and particularly this one leaves me with questions as to how megalithic sites were built around the world when thousands of years ago humans didn't have the technology we have today. How were huge rocks, some weighing hundreds of tons., transported and erected from many, many miles away? How was art on rock faces accomplished with the use of primitive tools with perfect laser like precision. It doesn't make sense unless you factor in, that humans had help from a higher intelligence. It really boggles my mind.
Profile Image for PF Albano.
153 reviews
October 14, 2023
It is with pleasure that I report that "The Lost Realms" did not begin with the clunkiness of book 2 and 3 of this series. Nor did it go into over-long retellings from the previous books. Structurally, it has a cohesion that equals that of "The 12th Planet".

The best thing about this book is that it expands on Sitchin's subject matter. "The Stairway to Heaven" and "The Wars of Gods and Men" deepened our knowledge of the subject matter introduced in "The 12th Planet"; "The Lost Realms" expands that subject matter by including a new area of the world: Mesoamerica and South America.



I really appreciate the expansion of the history brought about by this book. As usual, Sitchin is extremely detailed. He really nerds out on this stuff and I love it. I am in awe of the discussions concerning calendars and solstices and such because it is far above me I can't really grasp it; but I understand enough to be impressed and fascinated. I'm really looking forward to what's next in the series.

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Profile Image for Ricardo Warner.
26 reviews1 follower
April 30, 2019
Sitchin ingenious connection to the Americas

It is not a stretch in connecting both worlds, especially with so many artifacts and documentary evidence that there was an advanced civilization prior to the great deluge. I really enjoy The Lost Realms and the way Sitchin correlate biblical writings with events recorded in the Old and New World.
Profile Image for Jenalee Paige.
269 reviews7 followers
July 3, 2021
I read this book after the first three in the series. I appreciate Sitchin explaining about events and civilizations in the Americas. However, it was more challenging to stay focused in this book than the previous ones. Still worth the read and I enjoyed it; just isn’t one I connected with as much as I had hoped, especially given the title.
Author 1 book3 followers
June 17, 2022
Absolutely love Sitchin! He has uncovered secrets that have been lost to time and hidden by man. Spot on in his theories and presented in a scholarly format. R.I.P. Sitchin, you are correct sir! May we all strive to pick up your torch and carry on the work you have begun to uncover.
Profile Image for Roberto Cofresí.
Author 4 books4 followers
May 2, 2021
This series is an amazing fantasy/reality series. Its presented as true, and he claimed it was, but so did Castaneda.
12 reviews
March 4, 2024
Compelling.

Read it, along with all the other books in this series. it will be hard to not reach the same conclusions.
Profile Image for Allie.
346 reviews
April 15, 2025
So silly. I will never stop reading them.
Profile Image for Karen.
Author 2 books25 followers
June 26, 2025
I really enjoyed this one, even more than the first book in the series. Sitchin dives into sacred ancient sites in South and Central America, and it was so fun to read.
Profile Image for Bea Batres.
36 reviews
August 29, 2017
I found this book very interesting, it presents an alternate proposal for the settlement o America and the purpose of the massive Inca ruins.
Profile Image for Manuela Timofte.
Author 164 books38 followers
January 17, 2024
This is a book that provides archaeological and mythological records about "the gold of the gods", about the Incas, Maltese, Aztecs and Olmecs, and about vestiges that speak of the history of humanity. All the information offers the alternatives to deny everything that is proven or to accept truths that others did not want to be brought to our attention.
A very interesting book and well worth reading for all the information it provides.

Quotes:

"The Creation and Flood texts that the Anunnaki dictated to the Sumerians contain much more detailed and descriptive legends than the concise legends we know from edited versions of the Bible."
"All scholars agree that the globe or circle bearing the inscription Pacha Mama represents the Earth; however, none were surprised by the fact that the Incas already knew that the Earth was round. The Sumerians knew this, depicting the Earth and all the other planets depending on this reality."
"The Aztecs laid all their gold at the feet of the Spaniards, having the firm conviction that these were the gods who had returned. The Incas, who at first also saw in the coming of the Spaniards the fulfilment of the promise of the gods to return from overseas, could not understand later that the Spaniards had gone so far and behaved so badly in the name of metal that man could not use for anything. All scholars maintain that the Aztecs did not use gold for monetary purposes, nor did they attach any commercial value to it."
Profile Image for John.
337 reviews2 followers
March 8, 2017
Amazing how much apparent evidence there is linking ancient humanity to Sumer.
Profile Image for AttackGirl.
1,535 reviews28 followers
February 14, 2020
"Brain and Balls"

Re-read again today.
Finally, a man who had questions, studied throughout his life and put pieces of the world puzzle together. Why is everyone afraid, the church, the govt, losing control when it seems warring is in our genetic code.

Most importantly he was not afraid to present those age old questions and amazing finds in his books for the rest of the world.

Ignorance is bliss, but truth keeps us humble.
Profile Image for Ashish Jaituni.
156 reviews2 followers
July 26, 2012
It is a good book. Much better than I thought it would turn out to be! The facts that the author puts about the historical sites seem correct but I wonder if I can say the same about the interpretation of the facts. This is very the author differs from the professional academicians. If you like Graham Hancock, Robert Bauval, John Anthony West and the others, this book is for you!
Profile Image for Tucker Johnson.
26 reviews3 followers
Read
September 26, 2014
Awesome insight into Aztec and Mayan culture during the conquistador times. Talks about ancient cities that were not found however they have proof of them existing. Really interesting story about christopher columbus and how much gold that guy took from these cultures during his expeditions.
Profile Image for Paula.
134 reviews32 followers
January 17, 2012
Read the Sitchin books because of the recommendation of a friend, Brian Miller. Very interesting theories, but other than seeing that they flow well as narrative I can't evaluate them. I couldn't get the whole series at the local library, but the books are rather repetitive.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews

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