Reviving Technological Civilization: A Plan for 100,000 Highly Educated Settlers in 5000 BC

Imagine taking 100,000 of the most educated individuals and transporting them to Earth in 5000 BC. Would they manage to create a civilization that matches our current technological level? The answer depends heavily on strategic planning and the right starting point.

Picking the Right Location: Devon in Britain

Devon, in Britain, emerges as an ideal spot for such an endeavor. This area was rich in natural resources like copper, silver, tin, and zinc, with further resources in nearby Cornwall. The presence of these metals would enable rapid advancements, skipping ahead to the Bronze Age much earlier than would have been possible otherwise.

Establishing Early Teams

Upon arrival, three main teams would be established:

Contact Team: Composed of archaeologists, this team would assess and interact with the local population and resources. Resource Team: Focused on mining and utilizing mineral resources. Settlement Team: Organizing the initial towns and housing for the settlers.

Additionally, a Defense Team would be vital for the protection and training of settlers in the use of weapons and warfare.

Initial Challenges and Solutions

Settlers would need to start from scratch, with little infrastructure and a sparse population. In the years leading up to the introduction of metalworking, roundhouses and wattle and daub structures would be the norm. As metalsmithing began to take shape, advancements in agriculture, construction, and military technology would accelerate dramatically. By the third year, farming practices would be refined, and stone and timber construction would redefine the landscape.

Technological Innovations Over Time

With the introduction of bronze, construction methods would advance significantly. Infrastructure improvements like the creation of sewage systems and the use of Roman-style baths would enhance living conditions. The objective would be to lay the groundwork for a more permanent, technologically sophisticated community.

Integrating the Local Population

By using a combination of education, technological prowess, and strategic alliances, the settlers would gradually integrate the local population into their society over the first decade. Key resources like coal, limestone, and copper would be harnessed to support further innovation, while labor-intensive work and specialized knowledge would be distributed across various teams.

Challenges and Adaptations

The plan acknowledges several significant challenges. Chief among them are the absence of medicine and work animals. Medicine would be a crucial component, with settlers bringing along seeds and cultures for medicinal plants. For animal labor, settlers would need to be skilled in capturing and training horses and oxen.

The omission of religion is also addressed, with a suggestion of developing a primitive form of Druidism that could accommodate various beliefs. This approach would help maintain social cohesion and public order while encouraging the absorption of local populations.

Expanding the Community

To support such an endeavor, the settlers would need a substantial population. Historically, large populations are necessary to support high levels of education. By expanding their community to include workers from various parts of the world, the settlers could ensure a diversified and skilled workforce.

Slaves, obtained through trade and wartime acquisitions, would be used to provide essential labor. The goal would be to build a diverse community that values integration and cooperation, striving for a "generic" human society without discrimination based on skin color or physical type.

Conclusion: A Technologically Advanced Society

By the end of the first dozen years, the settlers and their local counterparts would form a society covering a significant portion of the British Isles. This society would include fortified towns, paved roads, running water, and the best medicine available. They would be on the brink of introducing more advanced technologies like paved roads, railroads, and telegraphs.

Making this vision a reality would require the passing of knowledge between generations and the advent of the printing press to document and disseminate information. With diligent work over time, the settlers could reach the technological level of the mid-20th century within two generations, ultimately matching our current level of advancement.