Library Data:Ancients
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][2][3]
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][2][3]
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][2][3]
See also Humaniti, Solomani Hypothesis
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 John Harshman, Marc Miller, Loren Wiseman. Library Data (A-M) (Game Designers Workshop, 1981), 12.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Marc Miller. Imperial Encyclopedia (Game Designers Workshop, 1987), 17.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Loren Wiseman. GURPS Traveller Core Rules (Steve Jackson Games, 1998), 19-20.