Millions of years ago, Earth was inhabited by an Elder Race? Investigation of the Silurian Hypothesis## Translation provided as requested, maintaining the original formatting while accurately translating the Russian text into English.

Scientists continue to discuss the Silurian Hypothesis, which suggests the possibility of an advanced civilization existing on Earth millions of years ago. This concept, first proposed in 2018, causes debates in the scientific community due to the lack of direct evidence, but stimulates research in geology and paleontology.

Origin of the hypothesis

The Silurian Hypothesis was formulated by Dr. Gavin Schmidt, a climatologist from the Goddard Institute for Space Studies (NASA), and Dr. Adam Frank, an astrophysicist from the University of Rochester, in an article published in the International Journal of Astrobiology in April 2018. The name of the hypothesis refers to the Silurian period (443–419 million years ago) and to the fictional race of intelligent reptiles from the Doctor Who series. The authors emphasize that their work is theoretical in nature and does not assert the existence of such a civilization, but merely explores what traces it might have left.

The hypothesis is based on the question: could non-human civilizations have existed on Earth long before the appearance of Homo sapiens (about 300,000 years ago)? Scientists suggest that the industrial activity of an ancient civilization could have left geochemical and paleontological markers similar to those that humanity is creating in the Anthropocene era.

Possible evidence

Researchers suggest looking for traces of a hypothetical civilization in geological deposits. The main markers include:

• Isotopic anomalies: Sharp changes in the ratio of carbon isotopes (13C/12C) or oxygen (18O/16O) may indicate mass burning of fossil fuels. However, such anomalies, observed, for example, in the Silurian period, are more often associated with natural processes such as volcanism or climate change.

• Fossil artifacts: Plastics, synthetic materials, or metal alloys resistant to decomposition could have been preserved in sedimentary rocks. To date, no such findings have been registered.

• Mass extinctions: The Silurian period includes several extinction events, such as the Ireviken event (about 433 million years ago), associated with cooling and fluctuations in ocean levels. Some scientists admit that anthropogenic factors could have intensified such events, but there is no direct evidence.

• Geochemical traces: Elevated concentrations of heavy metals, such as lead or mercury, could indicate industrial activity. However, such anomalies in Silurian deposits are explained by natural processes, such as volcanic activity.

Opposing arguments

Critics of the hypothesis, including Professor Sarah Walker from the University of Arizona, point to the lack of archaeological and paleontological data confirming the existence of an advanced civilization. The geological records of the Silurian period are well studied, and they are dominated by traces of marine organisms such as trilobites and brachiopods, with no hints of artificial structures or technologies.

Additionally, fossil remains of complex organisms capable of creating a civilization are extremely rare in Silurian layers. The Ediacaran biota (635–542 million years ago), preceding the Silurian period, consisted predominantly of soft-bodied marine organisms that did not possess signs of high organization.

Connection to myths and culture

The Silurian Hypothesis is sometimes associated with myths about the "elder race" mentioned in the folklore of various cultures - from elves in European legends to gandharvas in Indian mythology. Some pseudoscientific theories, such as the involution hypothesis or ideas about alien origins, use these myths for speculation about ancient civilizations. However, scientists emphasize that such interpretations have no scientific basis.

Significance for science

The hypothesis stimulates interdisciplinary research aimed at studying the long-term consequences of industrial activity. Dr. Frank noted at the American Astronomical Society conference on June 17, 2025: "This work helps us understand how to look for signs of civilizations not only on Earth but also on exoplanets."

Scientists plan to use new analysis methods, including high-precision isotope dating and scanning of se