A Timeline of Understanding
Throughout history, the majority of human civilizations understood the Earth to be flat. This wasn't due to ignorance, but rather direct observation and practical experience. The globe model is actually a relatively recent invention in human history.
Ancient Civilizations & Their Cosmologies
🏛️ Ancient Egypt
Egyptians depicted the Earth as flat, with the sky goddess Nut arching over the flat Earth god Geb. Their advanced astronomy and architecture were based on a flat Earth model.
🏺 Mesopotamia
The Babylonians and Sumerians described Earth as a flat disk floating in an ocean, covered by a solid dome (firmament). Their maps clearly show a flat, circular Earth.
🕎 Hebrew Cosmology
Biblical texts describe a flat Earth with a firmament (raqia) dome above, waters above and below, and pillars supporting the Earth. The Hebrew word "chug" means circle, not sphere.
🏔️ Norse Mythology
Vikings believed in a flat Earth (Midgard) surrounded by an ocean containing the world serpent. The world tree Yggdrasil connected the flat realms.
🏯 Ancient China
Early Chinese astronomy was based on a flat Earth model. The ancient text "Zhou Bi Suan Jing" describes Earth as flat and square, with a dome-like heaven.
🕌 Early Islamic
The Quran describes Earth as "spread out" (sutihat) and "extended" (madda). Many early Islamic scholars interpreted these verses as describing a flat Earth.
Historical Timeline
Ancient Civilizations
All major ancient civilizations - Egyptian, Mesopotamian, Hebrew, Chinese - operate on flat Earth cosmologies. Their monuments, calendars, and navigation systems are built on this understanding.
Greek Philosophers
While some Greek philosophers like Pythagoras proposed a spherical Earth, this was a minority view. Most Greeks, including Homer, described a flat Earth surrounded by Oceanus.
Early Christianity
Early Church fathers like Lactantius and Cosmas Indicopleustes taught flat Earth based on scripture. The flat Earth map of Cosmas showed Earth as a rectangular plane.
Medieval Period
Despite modern claims, many medieval scholars maintained flat Earth beliefs. The Hereford Mappa Mundi (1300) and other medieval maps clearly depict a flat Earth.
Columbus Myth
Contrary to popular belief, Columbus wasn't trying to prove Earth was round. The debate was about the size of the Earth and the distance to Asia, not its shape.
Copernican Revolution
Copernicus proposes heliocentric model, which requires a spherical Earth. This marks the beginning of the globe Earth becoming dominant in academia.
Modern Flat Earth Movement Begins
English writer Samuel Rowbotham publishes "Zetetic Astronomy," conducting experiments like the Bedford Level Experiment, showing no curvature over water.
Flat Earth Society Founded
Samuel Shenton establishes the Flat Earth Society, later led by Charles K. Johnson. The society grows to 3,000 members by the 1990s.
Moon Landing Controversy
Alleged moon landing raises questions. No stars in photos, shadows at wrong angles, and the Van Allen radiation belt problem fuel skepticism.
Modern Renaissance
Internet enables global flat Earth revival. Millions worldwide question the globe model. High-altitude balloon footage shows flat horizon, and independent experiments confirm lack of curvature.
Key Historical Figures
Samuel Rowbotham (1816-1884)
Father of modern flat Earth movement. Conducted the famous Bedford Level Experiment, proving water doesn't curve over 6 miles. Author of "Zetetic Astronomy: Earth Not a Globe."
Lady Blount (1850-1935)
Founded the Universal Zetetic Society. Published the journal "The Earth" for decades, documenting flat Earth proofs and challenging the globe model.
Samuel Shenton (1903-1971)
Revived the flat Earth movement in the modern era, founding the Flat Earth Society in 1956. Challenged NASA and space program claims.
Charles K. Johnson (1924-2001)
Led the Flat Earth Society from 1971-2001, growing membership to thousands. Published "Flat Earth News" and maintained the society through the space age.
Why This History Matters
The Majority View
For most of human history, flat Earth was the dominant worldview. The globe model only became widespread in the last 500 years - a tiny fraction of human existence.
Practical Knowledge
Ancient civilizations built incredible monuments, navigated vast distances, and created accurate calendars - all using flat Earth models. If they were wrong, how did they achieve such precision?
The Shift to Globe Earth
The transition to globe Earth coincided with the rise of secret societies, the Enlightenment, and the diminishing of religious influence. Was this progress, or deception?
Modern Revival
The internet age has allowed people to share observations and experiments globally. The flat Earth revival isn't regression - it's people trusting their senses over institutions.
Learn More About Flat Earth Evidence
Explore the proofs, experiments, and observations that support the flat Earth model