And the Sun Disappeared

A Catastrophic Climate Event transpired, characterized by a dimming sun, blood rain, dust storms, and a prolonged winter lasting two years, followed by drought, famine, disease, and widespread mortality. Research conducted by David Keys indicates that this event significantly influenced historical trajectories, drawing upon expert consultations and the examination of ancient records. Analysis of tree rings has provided insights into historical climatic conditions, revealing variations in width that correspond to periods of favorable and adverse weather. A specialized computer program has been employed to correlate tree ring patterns for accurate dating and analysis. The year 536 is noted for its exceptionally cold temperatures and diminished sunlight, which led to agricultural failures. The small and widely scattered vessels from that year suggest damage due to frost. Archaeological findings, along with the construction of crannogs in Ireland, corroborate the severe conditions resulting from this climatic upheaval. The sun experienced an unprecedented dimming during 535-536 AD, with various accounts indicating darkness that persisted for 18 months, causing widespread alarm among the populace. Historians have documented climatic disturbances, including cold springs, insufficient rainfall, and failing crops. A significant impact from a large comet or asteroid could have triggered such a climatic disaster, necessitating an object approximately four kilometers wide for an asteroid or six kilometers for a comet to induce substantial climatic changes. The aftermath of such an impact would have produced a brilliant fireball and a deafening sound; however, no contemporary civilization recorded any such occurrence. The investigation into the potential for a comet or asteroid impact in 536 AD remains ongoing.

The lack of a visible crater does not eliminate the likelihood of an impact event occurring. It is essential to consider the potential consequences of an oceanic impact or an airburst explosion. Researchers are examining polar ice caps to gather historical climate information. Ice cores from Greenland and Antarctica offer an atmospheric record that extends back to 536 AD. An analysis of chemical elements provides insights into possible cometary impacts or volcanic activity. A significant volcanic eruption has been confirmed. The examination of Greenland's ice core indicates elevated sulfate levels, which suggest a volcanic eruption took place. To validate the global ramifications of this eruption, evidence must also be sought in Antarctic ice cores. An eruption near the equator can influence both hemispheres. David Keyes has researched equatorial volcanoes to determine the causes of eruptions. Historical Chinese accounts of loud noises in 535 AD suggest a potential eruption in the Indonesian region. There are descriptions of catastrophic occurrences in 6th-century Java, including a detailed narrative of a volcanic eruption found in the Book of Kings. Consultations with geophysicists have corroborated the occurrence of this event. Anak Krakatoa is known for ejecting rocks and forming craters. The rocks expelled by Anak Krakatoa are comparable in size to houses and travel through the air with explosive force before impacting the ground and creating craters. The ongoing activity of Anak Krakatoa, characterized by a relentless discharge of rocks and lava, is part of a cycle that has persisted for hundreds of thousands of years, ultimately culminating in explosive eruptions. Scientific surveys have unveiled the ancient eruptions of Krakatoa. Research into the evolution of Krakatoa from its historical eruptions to the current islands has been conducted. However, there are challenges associated with dating ancient eruptions, particularly when using charcoal from significant explosion layers.

Research indicates that a significant volcanic eruption occurred in 535 AD. Analysis of various sediment layers reveals a period marked by volcanic activity. David Keys' investigations provide compelling evidence supporting the occurrence of the Krakatoa eruption during this time. This volcanic event had profound implications for human history. The eruption in 535 AD triggered a global climatic disaster, resulting in widespread darkness, drought, and famine. An expedition to Krakatoa corroborated the theory that this eruption was responsible for over a century of turmoil. The volcanic ash released caused the sun to be obscured in 536 AD. Ultrafine ash particles from Krakatoa remained suspended in the atmosphere, leading to extended periods of darkness and a significant drop in temperatures. This ash contributed to droughts and famines, which had far-reaching political ramifications, ultimately influencing the course of human civilization and historical developments. The bubonic plague outbreak during the late Roman Empire is also noteworthy. The symptoms and consequences of the plague were severe, with its transmission primarily occurring through fleas and infected rats. The insatiable European and Mediterranean demand for ivory exacerbated the spread of the plague in 536 AD. The African ivory trade, driven by Roman avarice, introduced substantial quantities of ivory into the empire for luxury goods and diplomatic offerings. The plague's resurgence in Constantinople in 542 AD, where over 10,000 bodies were disposed of daily, underscored the catastrophic impact on the city and its surroundings.

The Avars, skilled equestrians from the Mongolian steppes, played a significant role in the decline of the Roman Empire. Their military advantage was rooted in horse-based tactics, which included the innovative use of stirrups and advanced riding techniques. Distinctive cultural practices, such as the consumption of fermented mare's milk, further characterized their society. In the comparison of horses and cows, it is evident that horses possessed less efficient digestive systems and struggled to thrive on sparse vegetation during periods of drought. In contrast, cows exhibited superior digestive efficiency and a broader herbivorous diet, allowing them to endure after catastrophic events. The Avars asserted their dominance through advanced equestrian technology and the extraction of gold from the Roman Empire. They effectively employed their superior horse technology to conquer and subjugate tribes situated north of the Danube River. This extortion of gold from the already weakened Roman Empire contributed to its destabilization, particularly in conjunction with the effects of the plague. Additionally, poor maternal health resulted in elevated infant mortality rates, with children suffering from infectious diseases linked to their mothers' compromised health. The spike in infant mortality rates serves as an indicator of societal collapse, likely exacerbated by climatic disasters. Teotihuacan experienced drought and subsequent food shortages, which ultimately led to the city's demise. The scarcity of water due to drought conditions resulted in sanitation problems and the spread of diseases. The city fell into ruin as its inhabitants revolted against their leaders in response to the lack of resources. The bubonic plague reached Britain around 547 AD, significantly influencing the historical trajectory of Western Britain and Ireland. References to plagues such as Mortalitus Magna and Mortalitas Prima highlight the unprecedented and devastating impact of the plague on the local populace.

The plague significantly altered the political landscape of Britain, resulting in a considerable decline in population and facilitating the migration of Anglo-Saxon groups. This event highlights a potential connection between catastrophic occurrences and the emergence of new nations and religious movements. The Anglo-Saxons' victory over the plague-affected Britons marked the inception of England. Additionally, the climatic turmoil in Yemen following the catastrophe of 535 had profound effects on the Marib dam. The year 536 AD was characterized by widespread upheaval and unrest, contributing to an apocalyptic atmosphere in the ancient world, rife with wars and revolutions. This period was marked by uncertainty and instability, stemming from the collapse of established political structures and climatic disorder. Furthermore, volcanic activity near Naples presents a risk of global disaster. The historical record of eruptions in the Campy Flagray complex indicates a significant threat to the lives of approximately 400,000 residents. The potential global climatic consequences and their implications for agriculture and public health could destabilize nations worldwide. This underscores the critical role of natural forces in shaping historical events. The future remains unpredictable, and historians, economists, and political leaders must give greater consideration to the influence of natural forces.