Human Devolution: A Vedic Alternative to Darwin's Theory

by Michael A. Cremo

In their controversial bestseller Forbidden Archeology, Cremo and Thompson documented evidence showing that humans have existed on earth for hundreds of millions of years and catalyzed a global inquiry. Such anomalous evidence, contradicting Darwinian evolution, catalyzed a global inquiry: “If we did not evolve from apes then where did we come from?”

Human Devolution is Michael A. Cremo’s definitive answer to that question: “We did not evolve up from matter; instead we devolved, or came down, from the realm of pure consciousness, spirit.”

Basing his response on modern science and the world’s great wisdom traditions, including the Vedic philosophy of ancient India, Cremo proposes that before we ask the question, “Where did human beings come from?” we should first contemplate, “What is a human being?”

For much of the twentieth century, most scientists assumed that a human being is simply a combination of ordinary physical elements. In Human Devolution, Cremo says it is more reasonable to assume that a human being is a combination of three distinct substances: matter, mind, and consciousness (or spirit). He shows how solid scientific evidence for a subtle mind element and a conscious self that can exist apart from the body has been systematically eliminated from mainstream science by a process of “knowledge filtration.”

Genres: History, Biology, Science, Evolution, Nonfiction, Anthropology, Religion

554 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Michael A. Cremo (born July 15, 1948), is an American freelance researcher who identifies himself as a Vedic creationist and an "alternative archeologist" and argues that humans have lived on Earth for millions of years. In case of artifacts allegedly found in the Eocene auriferous gravels of Table Mountain, California and discussed in his book, Forbidden Archeology, Cremo argues for the existence of modern man on Earth as long as 30 to 40 million years ago.

Reviews

[Maurice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thorough and convincing research of primary literature and digs, evidencing extreme antiquity of anatomically modern human remains.
Stylistically accessible and entertaining archeology and history of science.
The foundation of Darwinian 'up from the apes' is a shambles, while the theory remains enshrined in scientific materialism, which exhibits the traits of other fundamentalist belief systems, specifically, vicious hostility toward anomalous data-barers.
I think this is a must read for those intent on recovering from institutional education and religion.

[Eric · Rating 1 out of 5]

This work is basically old creationist wine in New (Age) bottles. While Michael Cremo is to be commended for challenging orthodoxy regarding the antiquity of human civilization and modern behavior, it is quite something else to attempt to undermine the theory of evolution. Whereas reinterpreting evidence or reasonably speculating would be the best path for filling in the gaps in the scientific and archaeological records, Cremo inserts an all-powerful Creator, By the second half of the book, his thesis has devolved (no pun intended) into a catalog of out-of-body experiences and alien visitations. At least he doesn't continue attempting to connect the dots and draw an even more ridiculous picture than he already has.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author convincingly argues that contrary to Darwin’s theory, Human beings didn’t evolve from matter, but devolved from spirit. This book progresses logically, at each stage presenting a multitude of evidence, cases and witness testimonies. It’s extremely thought provoking; the five sense material world is only a very tiny piece of a much larger picture.

[HJ Yang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Masterpiece- Must read for both materialistic and spiritualistic understanding of human and universe

I saw one of Michael Cremo's lectures on Youtube and immediately bought the book. I wanted to know more about the Vedic theory of human life within the universe.

The book is fascinating in that the overall tone of narrative and methodology of logic is abundantly scientific and yet it weaves Vedic theology and quasi-scientific matters beautifully into the discussion and all of it is fine tuned so as not to overburden the senses of the logic-minded reader.

The arguments made in this book are compelling in many cases. I especially agree with the writer that the human body is too complex not to have been a product of intelligent design. I also accept that the universe is too fine-tuned not to be of divine design. In fact, I find myself being pursuaded of much of the discussion laid out by the writer with the possible exception of some paranormal incidents that may have been hoaxes.

Although my family is Christian, I admit that the Vedic cosmology indeed conforms more greatly to moden day scientific understanding of the world. I thank the author for this masterpiece and hope to learn by communication with him and through other sources about how to attune myself to the divine god and live a more spiritually guided life.

[Sanja Džalto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Certainly one of the greatest books I've ever read. First it is completely logical, unlike the theory of evolution which has never made sense to me, no matter what I was taught at school, and, second, there's a proof for every claim.
I consider it as a great challenge for all those who are willing to see beyond their own perspective.

[Graham Bear · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book presents startling evidence that contradicts Darwin evolution and archaeology It is thorough , studious and well referenced. Very convincing.

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

Firstly, I read the Kindle eBook. This was horribly formatted. The font sizes kept changing, full justification did not work (and it should have), and there were typos throughout my edition.

With that said this book was really not a coherent theoretical foundation for 'Forbidden Archaeology' (which it purported to be). Mostly it was a collection of anecdotes and, mostly, dated research which is never brought together in more than a vague whole with a pathetic conclusion.

I will never read Cremo again.

Do not waste your time on this...doesn't matter if your a Hare Krishna or not...dreck is dreck.

I should have given this book one star but there were occasional, accidental?, moments of clarity and amusement in this tome...but these were few and far between.

[Mike S · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, just as much as I loved his other book Forbidden Archaeology. It amazes me how much integrity and attention to detail Cremo brings to his books, he is unfailingly thorough and completely trustworthy, he doesn't shy away from any facts, he examines every subject from every angle, giving plenty of attention to arguments of detractors and whether they hold merit. Cremo is one of my favorite authors when it comes to metaphysical books, this book approaches encyclopedia status. I liked reading about Vedic cosmology, and I will definitely read anything else Cremo writes.

I liked Maruice and David's reviews (currently at the top of the list of reviews). They expressed my thoughts and feelings very well.

[Naga Pavan · Rating 5 out of 5]

its an excellent book i just have read few pages but the book is not available in hyderabad and iam in search of it

[James · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's difficult to rate a book that represents such an arduous research task (I am lumping Forbidden Archaeology in with this, as to me they are more interesting as a set). For his effort, I would give Cremo 5 stars alone. What disappointment though that the author did so with such a specific goal in mind, to present (clumsily) all of his findings as absolute proof of his specific religious beliefs. The research compiled is at times fascinating and even page-turning (in part because of the strong Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull vibe where aliens just might lurk around the corner of the next archaeological dig). Certainly the more you relate to The Lone Gunmen of the X Files the better, but even a skeptic can marvel at the possibility it represents: that modern humankind has existed far longer than previously understood, that there may be more to the origin of our species than science yet knows, or that the predominant religions hold. I think about this book from time to time since my enthusiastic reading of it as a teenager and wonder if time might prove any of Cremo's postulations true, but given the breadth of his evidence (and a reluctance on his part to doubt seemingly anything he comes across), I doubt it.

[Shaun McNamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly, let me say that this is not an easy read, as its chock full of a lot of fairly dry (if extremely interesting) data. So, if you are expecting something akin to a Graham Hancock or Michael Tellinger (et al) type of read, you might find this slightly harder work. This should not detract too much from a book that really is something of a masterpiece, though. It amasses A LOT of interesting, impeccably sourced and perspective stretching info regarding human origins though. Recommended if you want the real juice, but are not frightened off by a slightly more arduous read. Not a book to be read on a long haul fight, shall we say, where pure entertainment is the order of the day. Probably best read a chapter at a time, when you are in the mood. Highly recommended if you are interested in this subject.

It only missed out on a fifth star due to it not being a particularly easy read.

[Dan Zarfati · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book, Michael Cremo enumerates all paranormal and strange phenomena and compares them with the more or less flawed Darwin's theory of evolution. He analyses a lot of the data on parapsychology and even UFOs. Some of the data is quite old, it is an interesting reading anyway, though a bit boring at times.

[Pak · Rating 5 out of 5]

It can be a slog to get through but that's on account of this being an encyclopedic compilation of evidence. You'll have to see for yourself if it is convincing but lack of research is not a flaw of this book.

[Maggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un livre qui sort des sentiers battus. Très bon.