Was there once a civilization more advanced than ours, more technologically sophisticated, and more spiritually aware than our own? For anyone intrigued by these questions, this is the first definitive overview of the theories about the location of lost civilizations like Atlantis, Lemuria, and Mu. Each society is brought vividly back to life by exploring the history of their inhabitants and the mythology that has since grown-up around them. This compendious volume is divided by section to cover all parts of the globe and features lavish reconstructions, maps of possible locations, detailed annotations, with an overview of all the archeological evidence. Beautifully illustrated throughout in full-color, this is a must have for any history or ancient mysteries enthusiast.

Armchair archeologists, Indiana Jones fans, and hobbyists with metal detectors will all be intrigued by these accounts of fabulous lost treasures, some recovered in modern times and others still waiting to be found—both underground and beneath the sea. Here are the dramatic stories behind major discoveries, from King Tut’s tomb to Afghanistan’s Bactrian Hoard. You’ll also find unsolved mysteries, such as the disappearance of the Statue of Zeus at Olympia (once numbered among the Seven Wonders of the World) and the Ark of the Covenant. With historic photographs and detailed artists’ renderings, this lavish volume takes the reader on a global treasure hunt every bit as exciting as The Da Vinci Code—not in fantasy, but in fact.