In a fundamental reappraisal of the worldwide traditions of lost civilisations that were destroyed, Ian Lawton argues that a highly spiritual race of modern humans evolved on earth about 100,000 years ago. They were culturally although not technologically advanced, and above all they possessed a perfect understanding of their spiritual roots in the ethereal realms. However, they became increasingly obsessed with the material world and progressively lost their awareness, until the laws of universal karma dictated that they should perish. This they did in a worldwide catastrophe some 11,500 years ago, probably caused by the impact of an extraterrestrial body.

Perhaps his most stunning conclusion is that the consistent descriptions of 'fallen angels' and 'sages' that first brought civilisation to mankind tell the story of how the first 'advanced souls' incarnated in human form once our physiology had evolved sufficiently, creating an impetus for a cultural development of greater significance that any other in human history.