Mound Builders: Edgar Cayce's Forgotten Record of Ancient America

by Gregory L. Little, Lora H. Little, John Van Auken

A number of academic archaeology textbooks rudely dismiss Edgar Cayce’s pronouncements about ancient history. Cayce was, to them, a “cult archaeologist” — unworthy of further investigation. The authors of those books, all scholars and archaeologists, claim that they have read Cayce’s readings and found them inaccurate, plagiarized, or filled with errors and bizarre claims. In Mound Builders, the authors begin by carefully evaluating the archaeologists’ “scientific” and scholarly assessments of Cayce. What is revealed is every bit as astounding as the claims made by Edgar Cayce himself. Nearly everything about Cayce put forth by the scholars in their books is an outright fabrication or a monumental blunder by these supposed scholars. When confronted by their obvious mistakes, the responses of two of the archaeologists showed how deeply divided their field is today. One fully admitted the mistakes and vowed to change his writings. Another arrogantly refused to change anything despite writing in his book he was dedicated to “truth.” Despite the claims of archaeologists, the history of ancient America put forth in Edgar Cayce’s readings has never been tested. Edgar Cayce, America’s famous “Sleeping Prophet,” gave 68 “psychic readings” between 1925 to 1944 that provided information on America’s Mound Builders and ancient American history. These readings have never been thoroughly analyzed and have been largely forgotten. For the first time, Cayce’s statements about ancient America are genuinely compared to current archaeological evidence. The authors relate that they began with a skeptical point of view but the weight of the evidence eventually showed Cayce’s accuracy. Incredibly, nearly everything Cayce related about the Mound Builders and the patterns of migrations to ancient America is true. Since 1997, a series of astounding developments have shattered American archaeology’s most cherished beliefs. Excavations have uncovered solid evidence that ancient America was probably settled at least 50,000 years ago. Genetic evidence shows that several waves of migrations came into America from not only Siberia, but also from Polynesia, China, and Japan. A mysterious genetic type has been identified in ancient American skeletal remains as well as in some modern Native Americans. This enigmatic type is also linked to Israel, parts of Spain, France, Italy, and the northern Gobi Desert. It may well have originated in a location between America and Europe. This genetic type entered America in about 10,000 B.C. and could be the result of migrations from the mythical land of Atlantis. Another genetic type could be from the mythical land of Mu. Mound Builders also shows how evidence essentially confirms that a series of migrations to America from Semitic lands began in 3000 B.C. This evidence is compared to Mormon ideas. In addition, Mound Builders shows how several mound sites were built in accordance with Plato’s descriptions of Atlantis and how numerous mound complexes were arranged to reflect the Belt of Orion. Mound Builders is truly a compelling, comprehensive look at the archaeological and genetic evidence from ancient America and the first genuine analysis of Cayce’s readings on history. Contains 144 pictures/illustrations.

295 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2001

Reviews

[Marci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mind boggling. What we were taught in grade school is so not true. We have always been taught that North America is relatively new and that evidence of man does not go back very far in this country. New evidence found within the past 10 years is showing how wrong that idea is. I was fascinated to read about the remains of great civilizations that covered the Midwest thousands of years ago.

I especially like this quote:
Academic archaeology will likely continue to snicker at the possibility that ancient Israelites or pre-Hebrew Semites came to America by boat. But now their snickers and derisive tactics stem from anxiety. Their long-maintained dogmas have collapsed. How much more "wrong" can they be? The genetic evidence - hard science at its best - has shown how people coming to ancient America came from places archaeologist have told us they couldn't have.
Cayce's endorsement of the Mormon story gives both his story and theirs greater credibility. It also means that many of the details he failed to provide may be available. From a scientific standpoint it seems that such a detailed account of ancient America as contained in the Book of Mormon cannot and should not be totally discounted.

I also really enjoyed his short chapter on electromagnetic fields etc.

[Valiant Thor · Rating 5 out of 5]

A surprisingly compelling book. Having read a fair number of books on the mound builders, the ancient Americas, and controversial artifacts- and not being especially predisposed to putting much stock in Edgar Cayce's readings - it was somewhat jarring how closely Cayce's accounts of ancient America match the available evidence. Even if one totally discounts Cayce, this is still a worthwhile book on the mound builders, as it presents a wealth of disparate scientific and archeological evidence and overlays it on a highly plausible narrative.

The book is decently written and was a pleasurable read. It is not perfect, as some of the authors' statements are almost cringe-inducing, such as when the author(s) concludes that since Cayce didn't mention trans-oceanic copper trade, it must not have happened. Oof. Perhaps I should have subtracted a star for that statement alone, but all things considered I found this to be a very interesting, insightful, and valuable book on the mound builders and the strange and suppressed history of pre-Columbian America.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am amazed at the Cayce material. This book pulls together the scattered readings concerning ancient history of the Americas and relates that info to known and recently discovered facts. Very interesting, but honestly for me a little challenging to follow at times. That said I am glad I read the book and recommend it to anyone interested either Cayce’s view of Ancient history or the history of the Americas. Or for that matter anyone who grew up around mounds….