For centuries, the continent of Mu has captivated minds and fuelled the imaginations of researchers and enthusiasts of ancient mysteries. Supposedly submerged by an unimaginable cataclysm, Mu remains shrouded in mystery and speculation. Often confused with Atlantis and Lemuria, this legendary continent continues to pique interest and ignite debates. But what are the foundations of this myth, and what evidence supports its reality?
The first mentions of Mu date back to Charles Étienne Brasseur de Bourbourg, a 19th-century French scholar who played a key role in spreading the legend of this sunken continent. According to Brasseur de Bourbourg’s writings, he translated a Mayan codex referring to the existence of an ancient continent in the Pacific Ocean. However, these claims have been subject to controversy and debate within the scientific community.
Subsequently, other researchers became intrigued by the mystery, notably Augustus Le Plongeon and James Churchward. Augustus Le Plongeon, an expert on the Mayan civilisation, mentioned the existence of a lost continent called Mu, which he claimed to have discovered in Mayan glyphs. He argued that the Maya were the originators of all great ancient societies. Yet, Le Plongeon’s theories were questioned and considered speculative.
James Churchward, on the other hand, played a major role in popularising the myth of Mu. As a British-American engineer, he claimed to have found tablets in various regions of the world, such as India, Egypt, Greece, Central America, and Easter Island. According to his translations, these tablets confirmed the reality of Mu as the common origin of great civilisations.
An Advanced and Spiritual Continent
The lost continent of Mu, situated in the Pacific Ocean, has long been the subject of speculation and controversial theories. James Churchward purportedly discovered information about this ancient and advanced civilisation, providing a detailed vision of Mu. According to his claims, Mu was not merely a submerged land but rather a flourishing civilisation with a profound understanding of scientific and spiritual domains.
Churchward described Mu as a vast, fertile continent, stretching across lush plains and majestic mountain ranges. These geographical features, he argued, reflected the prosperity and wealth of this legendary civilisation. The inhabitants of Mu were renowned for their technological, social, and cultural advancements. Their expertise in architecture, engineering, mathematics, and astronomy placed them far ahead of other civilisations of their time.
Churchward maintained that the descendants of Mu’s inhabitants dispersed to different regions of the world following the destruction of their continent. Egypt, China, and South America are among the regions where they purportedly brought their expertise and established great civilisations. According to the author, the ancient Egyptian, Chinese, and Mayan civilisations inherited knowledge and wisdom passed down from the ancient Muans.
Architectural remnants and symbols are said to have been left behind by the survivors of Mu, attesting to their legacy. Egyptian pyramids, temples of ancient China, and Mayan ruins exhibit structural and symbolic similarities to the achievements of Mu’s civilisation. These alleged connections testify to Mu’s cultural and technological influence on these regions of the world.
Churchward goes even further, asserting that the Egyptian creation legend, which inspired the biblical Genesis, originated from the mythical continent. He posited that the sacred writings of Mu were transmitted by the Naacals, missionaries from Mu who influenced ancient Egypt.
By challenging the Egyptian origin attributed to Freemasonry, Churchward suggests that it actually dates back to Mu, thousands of years before ancient Egypt. He concludes by claiming that modern Freemasonry is the legacy of humanity’s first religion, based on love and worship of the Creator, as well as universal love for all human beings.
Scientific Critiques of the Mu Theory
The theory of the lost continent of Mu, popularised by James Churchward through his books, has sparked intense controversies among scientists. Since its publication, numerous researchers have endeavoured to demonstrate the inconsistencies and gaps in his theories. Alfred Métraux firmly refuted the idea that Easter Island, after his expedition in the 1930s, was the vestige of a submerged continent. Oceanographers also undertook a mapping of the Pacific Ocean’s seabed after World War II, using plate tectonics to conclusively prove that there had never been a continent at that specific location.
Martin Gardner, known for his scientific scepticism, highlighted the geological and archaeological aberrations present in Churchward’s theories. In 1991, archaeologist Stephen Williams strongly criticised the writer and cast doubt on his credibility. Furthermore, in 1993, Georges Stein suggested that Churchward might never have truly believed in his own theories, classifying him among science fiction authors. Moreover, Brian M. Fagan definitively established that the alleged translations of tablets and Mesoamerican documents on which Churchward relied were entirely inaccurate.
Today, it is widely accepted by the serious scientific community that there is no geological or archaeological evidence supporting the existence of Mu. The maps and artefacts presented by Mu’s proponents are frequently either elaborate hoaxes or misinterpretations of ancient sources. For example, the famous Piri Reis map, often cited as evidence for Mu’s existence, is actually a compilation of 16th-century European and Arab maps containing errors and distortions.
Well-established scientific theories, such as plate tectonics and continental drift, compellingly explain how the current continents formed and moved over time. According to these theories, there is no room for an additional continent in Earth’s history. Approximately 200 million years ago, all the continents were united in a supercontinent called Pangaea, which gradually fragmented into several pieces. None of these fragments correspond to Mu, contradicting Churchward’s claims.
Cultural and linguistic similarities observed among the peoples of Oceania, Asia, and the Americas are not conclusive evidence of a common civilisation originating from Mu. These similarities can be explained by contacts, migrations, and mutual influences over centuries. For instance, the geometric motifs found in Polynesian and Peruvian art result from similar weaving or engraving techniques, not from a collective heritage tied to Mu.
It is important to note that legends and myths about submerged or lost lands are widespread in many cultures worldwide. These narratives should not necessarily be interpreted as historical reality but rather as symbols, metaphors, or expressions of collective memory. For example, the myth of Atlantis, often associated with Mu, originated from a tale by Plato intended to illustrate his ideal conception of a city.
The theory of the lost continent of Mu has been demystified and discredited by numerous serious researchers and scientists. Geological, archaeological, and scientific evidence supporting Mu’s existence is absent, while alternative explanations based on well-established knowledge are far more convincing. Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that there is no solid basis for believing in the existence of the continent of Mu.
