For the past two thousand years, the dominant species on this planet has been modern man. While there may be thousands of other species that occupy the Earth with us – it is humans that are the most intelligent – and the only species that is able to build, create, explore – and evolve. But while we may run the show now – did you ever stop to think about those species and civilizations that were the most dominant species before us – and why they no longer exist?

From the dinosaurs to the Egyptians, there have been many other life forms on this planet that have left their buildings, their writings, their treasures – and their bones behind as the only indicators that they once existed. But despite all of those clues and artifacts – no scientist can determine why they are completely extinct.

I have always been fascinated with the former inhabitants of this planet. I find it frighteningly baffling that entire species and civilizations lived on the same planet we do for thousands – and sometimes millions of years – and are now only subjects of study in labs and exhibits in museums. The reason this subject peaks my interest so much is because besides the fact that the relics they have left behind are extremely interesting and a good topic of study and discussion – I would love to know why these enormous species and powerful societies are no more.

Take the dinosaurs for instance. In Earth’s early days – dinosaurs roamed the four corners of the Earth, living on land, in the sea – and in the air. From the timid Triceratops that lived on the planet’s vegetation – to the ferocious meat eating Tyrannosaurus Rex that was once one of the most powerful and most feared creatures on Earth – dinosaurs were able to survive and thrive on Earth’s minimal resources for millions and millions of years – and now they’re all gone. Why? How can a species live for so long and then simply disappear?

And what about the Egyptians? Long before modern technology and machinery was developed – the Egyptians were able to construct massive statues, enormous carvings that stretch the length of entire mountains – and three pyramids that to this day are the subject of constant study – and are one of the Seven Wonders Of The World. These stone structures are perfect mathematically, they align exactly to Orion’s Belt – and the stones used to build them are so heavy – that the most powerful crane on Earth today can not lift even one. And despite the Egyptian’s accomplishments and their ability to create objects that baffle our modern society – they are all gone – leaving only their amazing creations as a reminder that they once existed – but no clues as to the reasons for their demise.

Scientists have said that everything from a meteor to an ice age to numerous volcanic eruptions led to the demise of the dinosaurs – and no scientist can determine why the Egyptians are gone. But the truth is – we’ll never really know what happened that led to the extinction of either one of these two great civilizations. Instead – all we can do is wonder, speculate – and theorize.

I hope that one day, we do find out what happened that led to the demise of the Egyptians and the dinosaurs – because besides being able to satisfy everyone’s curiosity – finding out what happened to them might help us learn how to avoid the same thing happening to us.