Difference between revisions of "Library Data:Ancients"

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The name assigned by scholars to a highly intelligent race which gained prominence 300,000 to 400,000 years ago. Most of what is known about the Ancients has been gleaned from archeological excavations of Ancient sites: the remains of cities, bases, outposts, and settlements of the Ancients. Scientific dating techniques have established that a "Final War" spanning a 2,000-year period destroyed virtually all of the Ancients at that time.{{Page cite|name=Library Data (A-M)|page=12|citeName=LD12}}{{Page cite|name=Imperial Encyclopedia|page=17|citeName=IE17}}{{Page cite|name=GURPS Traveller Core Rules|page=19-20|citeName=GT19}}
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The name assigned by scholars to a highly intelligent race which gained prominence 300,000 to 400,000 years ago. Most of what is known about the Ancients has been gleaned from archeological excavations of Ancient sites: the remains of cities, bases, outposts, and settlements of the Ancients. Scientific dating techniques have established that a "Final War" spanning a 2,000-year period destroyed virtually all of the Ancients at that time.{{Page cite|name=GURPS Traveller Core Rules|page=19-20|citeName=GT19}}
  
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The influence of the Ancients is broadly felt in the universe. The vast majority of scholars now believe that the Ancients transported Humans from [[Library Data:Terra (world)|Terra]] to many worlds, where their descendants became the [[Library Data:Vilani|Vilani]] and the [[Library Data:Zhodani|Zhodani]], as well as the 47 known minor Human races. The [[Library Data:Vargr|Vargr]] have been shown (through genetic testing) to be descendants of genetically manipulated Terran canines (apparently, the canine stock was acquired at the same time as the Humans were taken from Terra). Ancient artifacts which have been discovered show a very high level of technology, and an equally high degree of sophistication; such artifacts often reveal previously uninvented or unexploited technologies. {{Page cite|citeName=LD12}}{{Page cite|citeName=IE17}}{{Page cite|citeName=GT19}}
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The influence of the Ancients is broadly felt in the universe. The vast majority of scholars now believe that the Ancients transported Humans from [[Library Data:Terra (world)|Terra]] to many worlds, where their descendants became the [[Library Data:Vilani|Vilani]] and the [[Library Data:Zhodani|Zhodani]], as well as the 47 known minor Human races. The [[Library Data:Vargr|Vargr]] have been shown (through genetic testing) to be descendants of genetically manipulated Terran canines (apparently, the canine stock was acquired at the same time as the Humans were taken from Terra). Ancient artifacts which have been discovered show a very high level of technology, and an equally high degree of sophistication; such artifacts often reveal previously uninvented or unexploited technologies. {{Page cite|citeName=GT19}}
  
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This Ancient civilization was wide ranging. Confirmed Ancient sites have been found in every sector of the Imperium, as well as throughout Vargr and Aslan territory. It is reported, but unconfirmed, that Ancient sites also occur with great frequency in Zhodani territory. The total number of confirmed Ancient sites visited by the lmperium is more than 200. {{Page cite|name=Secret of the Ancients|page=13-15|version=Classic Traveller|citeName=SotA13}}
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The Ancient culture was wide-ranging. Confirmed sites have been found in every sector of the Imperium, over 200 in all; they are also present throughout [[Library Data:Vargr|Vargr]] and [[Library Data:Aslan|Aslan]] territory. What little information leaks out of the [[Library Data:Zhodani Consulate|Zhodani Consulate]] on this topic suggests a high frequency of Ancient bases. It is almost certain that the Ancients explored and settled worlds beyond charted space, and that evidence of their travels is to be found beyond the borders of current states. {{Page cite|name=Alien Races 3|page=108|citeName=AR3-108}}
  
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The Ancients never had an especially great population. The planets they settled usually had only one, or at most a handful, of bases. Estimates of population vary, but do not exceed one million per world. Some investigators believe that their high population worlds held billions, and that these were reduced to asteroid belts; that only low population worlds were not completely destroyed. Others counter that none of the evidence found in the asteroid belts confirms this. {{Page cite|citeName=SotA13}}
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The Ancients’ population level is a matter of some debate. Some hold that the surprisingly frequent asteroid belts in charted space are the remains of high population Ancient worlds, shattered in the Final War; in this case, the total Ancient population may have been in the trillions. These theorists hold that the known Ancient sites are outposts, not worth destroying in so spectacular a manner. Others point out that no evidence to support this theory has been found in any asteroid belt surveyed to date; they believe that no more than 1 million or so Ancients lived on any one world, and that for some reason the Ancients only settled in specific regions on each planet. This hypothesis would give a total population of no more than 1 billion.{{Page cite|citeName=AR3-108}}
  
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The Ancients were responsible for several major features within the region now occupied by the Imperium. Their warfare resulted in the large proportion of asteroid belts throughout explored space, and there is evidence they created the multi-world rosette at [[Library Data:Tireen (world)|Tireen]] ([[Library Data:Knaeleng Sector|Knaeleng]] 2910, in the [[Library Data:Vargr Extents|Vargr Extents]]). Scattered, empty cities (most severely damaged by battle) stand as evidence of their wars; most, however, are restricted areas under investigation by the Imperium and not open to the public. One notable exception is the world known as [[Library Data:Antiquity (world)|Antiquity]] ([[Library Data:Corridor Sector|Corridor]] 0816). The Antiquity Ancients site is open to tourists; its fascinating museum displays many wondrous and mystifying artifacts, many of which are still in working condition. {{Page cite|citeName=LD12}}{{Page cite|citeName=IE17}}{{Page cite|citeName=GT19}}
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The Ancients were responsible for several major features within the region now occupied by the Imperium. Their warfare resulted in the large proportion of asteroid belts throughout explored space, and there is evidence they created the multi-world rosette at [[Library Data:Tireen (world)|Tireen]] ([[Library Data:Knaeleng Sector|Knaeleng]] 2910, in the [[Library Data:Vargr Extents|Vargr Extents]]). Scattered, empty cities (most severely damaged by battle) stand as evidence of their wars; most, however, are restricted areas under investigation by the Imperium and not open to the public. One notable exception is the world known as [[Library Data:Antiquity (world)|Antiquity]] ([[Library Data:Corridor Sector|Corridor]] 0816). The Antiquity Ancients site is open to tourists; its fascinating museum displays many wondrous and mystifying artifacts, many of which are still in working condition. {{Page cite|citeName=GT19}}
  
 
The [[Library Data:Shionthy (world)|Shionthy]] Asteroid Belt is believed to have been formed during one unusually intense battle between Ancient forces. Reports indicate that other Ancient sites within the [[Library Data:Regina Subsector|Regina subsector]] are currently being excavated, both by official expeditions and clandestinely by treasure hunters. {{Page cite|name=The Kinunir|page=39}}
 
The [[Library Data:Shionthy (world)|Shionthy]] Asteroid Belt is believed to have been formed during one unusually intense battle between Ancient forces. Reports indicate that other Ancient sites within the [[Library Data:Regina Subsector|Regina subsector]] are currently being excavated, both by official expeditions and clandestinely by treasure hunters. {{Page cite|name=The Kinunir|page=39}}
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The remaining debris from the Ancient civilization is scattered in ruined sites across parsecs of empty space. Individual pieces of this debris are commonly called artifacts; they come in all shapes and sizes. Most interstellar states have an extreme interest in Ancient artifacts, due to the potential value of their secrets. The Imperium has strict laws controlling traffic in Ancient artifacts; they cannot be legally sold unless registered with the Imperium. The registration fees are incidental (usually Cr20); the true purpose is to allow the authorities to examine each item. {{Page cite|name=Alien Races 3|page=110|citeName=AR3-110}}
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Ancient sites within the Imperium are normally the responsibility of the [[Library Data:Imperial Interstellar Scout Service]]. Scouts coordinate (and often conduct) the excavation and research of these sites under carefully controlled conditions. Major universities compete for the chance to assist, for most of what is known about the Ancients was learned by studying such sites. {{Page cite|citeName=AR3-110}}
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To encourage the casual traveler who might stumble on an Ancient site to report it to the proper authorities, the Imperium pays a flat Cr50,000 finder’s fee to anyone who advises the IISS of a previously unknown Ancient site. {{Page cite|citeName=AR3-110}}
  
 
See also [[Library Data:Humaniti|Humaniti]], [[Library Data:Solomani Hypothesis|Solomani Hypothesis]]  
 
See also [[Library Data:Humaniti|Humaniti]], [[Library Data:Solomani Hypothesis|Solomani Hypothesis]]  
  
 
{{Library data sources
 
{{Library data sources
 +
| {{Ludography cite|name=Library Data (A-M)|page=12}}
 +
| {{Ludography cite|name=Secret of the Ancients|page=13-15|version=Classic Traveller}}
 
  | {{Ludography cite|name= Droyne|page=2,5-6,44-45}}
 
  | {{Ludography cite|name= Droyne|page=2,5-6,44-45}}
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| {{Ludography cite|name=Imperial Encyclopedia|page=17}}
 
  | [[Clayton R. Bush]].  "Ancients" ''[[Alien Realms (fanzine)|Alien Realms]] Volume 1, Issue 1'' (1991): 1-13  
 
  | [[Clayton R. Bush]].  "Ancients" ''[[Alien Realms (fanzine)|Alien Realms]] Volume 1, Issue 1'' (1991): 1-13  
 
  | {{Ludography cite|name=The Regency Sourcebook|page=76}}
 
  | {{Ludography cite|name=The Regency Sourcebook|page=76}}

Revision as of 10:33, 9 October 2024

Library Data Milieu 1116 

Imperial-Sunburst-Green-wiki.png

The name assigned by scholars to a highly intelligent race which gained prominence 300,000 to 400,000 years ago. Most of what is known about the Ancients has been gleaned from archeological excavations of Ancient sites: the remains of cities, bases, outposts, and settlements of the Ancients. Scientific dating techniques have established that a "Final War" spanning a 2,000-year period destroyed virtually all of the Ancients at that time.[1]

The influence of the Ancients is broadly felt in the universe. The vast majority of scholars now believe that the Ancients transported Humans from Terra to many worlds, where their descendants became the Vilani and the Zhodani, as well as the 47 known minor Human races. The Vargr have been shown (through genetic testing) to be descendants of genetically manipulated Terran canines (apparently, the canine stock was acquired at the same time as the Humans were taken from Terra). Ancient artifacts which have been discovered show a very high level of technology, and an equally high degree of sophistication; such artifacts often reveal previously uninvented or unexploited technologies. [1]

The Ancient culture was wide-ranging. Confirmed sites have been found in every sector of the Imperium, over 200 in all; they are also present throughout Vargr and Aslan territory. What little information leaks out of the Zhodani Consulate on this topic suggests a high frequency of Ancient bases. It is almost certain that the Ancients explored and settled worlds beyond charted space, and that evidence of their travels is to be found beyond the borders of current states. [2]

The Ancients’ population level is a matter of some debate. Some hold that the surprisingly frequent asteroid belts in charted space are the remains of high population Ancient worlds, shattered in the Final War; in this case, the total Ancient population may have been in the trillions. These theorists hold that the known Ancient sites are outposts, not worth destroying in so spectacular a manner. Others point out that no evidence to support this theory has been found in any asteroid belt surveyed to date; they believe that no more than 1 million or so Ancients lived on any one world, and that for some reason the Ancients only settled in specific regions on each planet. This hypothesis would give a total population of no more than 1 billion.[2]

The Ancients were responsible for several major features within the region now occupied by the Imperium. Their warfare resulted in the large proportion of asteroid belts throughout explored space, and there is evidence they created the multi-world rosette at Tireen (Knaeleng 2910, in the Vargr Extents). Scattered, empty cities (most severely damaged by battle) stand as evidence of their wars; most, however, are restricted areas under investigation by the Imperium and not open to the public. One notable exception is the world known as Antiquity (Corridor 0816). The Antiquity Ancients site is open to tourists; its fascinating museum displays many wondrous and mystifying artifacts, many of which are still in working condition. [1]

The Shionthy Asteroid Belt is believed to have been formed during one unusually intense battle between Ancient forces. Reports indicate that other Ancient sites within the Regina subsector are currently being excavated, both by official expeditions and clandestinely by treasure hunters. [3]

The remaining debris from the Ancient civilization is scattered in ruined sites across parsecs of empty space. Individual pieces of this debris are commonly called artifacts; they come in all shapes and sizes. Most interstellar states have an extreme interest in Ancient artifacts, due to the potential value of their secrets. The Imperium has strict laws controlling traffic in Ancient artifacts; they cannot be legally sold unless registered with the Imperium. The registration fees are incidental (usually Cr20); the true purpose is to allow the authorities to examine each item. [4]

Ancient sites within the Imperium are normally the responsibility of the Library Data:Imperial Interstellar Scout Service. Scouts coordinate (and often conduct) the excavation and research of these sites under carefully controlled conditions. Major universities compete for the chance to assist, for most of what is known about the Ancients was learned by studying such sites. [4]

To encourage the casual traveler who might stumble on an Ancient site to report it to the proper authorities, the Imperium pays a flat Cr50,000 finder’s fee to anyone who advises the IISS of a previously unknown Ancient site. [4]

See also Humaniti, Solomani Hypothesis

This list of sources was used by the Traveller Wiki Editorial Team and individual contributors to compose this article. Copyrighted material is used under license from Mongoose Publishing or by permission of the author. The page history lists all of the contributions.
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Loren Wiseman. GURPS Traveller Core Rules (Steve Jackson Games, 1998), 19-20.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Dave Nilsen, David L. Pulver, Andy Slack, David Thomas. Alien Races 3 (Steve Jackson Games, 2000), 108.
  3. ↑ Marc Miller. The Kinunir (Game Designers Workshop, 1979), 39.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Dave Nilsen, David L. Pulver, Andy Slack, David Thomas. Alien Races 3 (Steve Jackson Games, 2000), 110.

Other References

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