So, Cooper is tied up to an ancient column in the jungle? Were they camping amongst the ruins of an ancient civilization?

Island mythology, and the 4-toed statue . . .

Good catch. You just found another reference to those who may have been before Dharma. At least that how I read it. Kind of like sacred ground. Kind of like Survivor (ahhhh, I can't believe I said that).

It did remind me of some ancient ruins. It must go along with the 4-toed statue. I hope we get to see more of it. I wanna know who was there before Dharma.

It seemed like just the one column though - which seemed odd. I bet there is a connection with the 4-toed statue.

I thought it was weird that there was only one column as well. Wouldn't you love to set up the archaelogical dig right there?

Wouldn't it be ironic if this singular column was the fifth toe?

Genesis, chapter 28

17: And he was afraid, and said, "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven."
18: So Jacob rose early in the morning, and he took the stone which he had put under his head and set it up for a pillar and poured oil on the top of it.
19: He called the name of that place Bethel; but the name of the city was Luz at the first.

I also noticed the pillar and was very curious about it's origins. Very Greek / Roman like in it's style. I agree it's with the same mythos as the statue.... but who the h@!! put it there??? And how friggin' old is it?

The major new set that is rumored to be under construction for season for is "The Ruins," much like the caves of season 1, the hatch of season 2, and Otherville/Hydra of season 3.Hopefully this is just the beginning of the next major level of the mythology.

The whole scenario actually reminded me of Mayan civilization and their penchant for offerring human sacrifices..... :cool:

The whole scenario actually reminded me of Mayan civilization and their penchant for offerring human sacrifices..... :cool:

I went to bed thinking about that dang solo column, and woke up thinking about it too. I was thinking about the 3 types of columns - doric, corinthian, and ionic (hooray - recollecting my Humanities class!). The top of the column was missing, which is how I remember identifying the columns, based on their level of ornateness. Anyway, I don't remember whether that dated the columns though.

At any rate, a single column is strange, as unless you dug down and found the base of other columns, it wasn't part of a larger structure. I like Lost_in_Louisiana's notion of a sacrificial column. It harkens the biblical tone (and the Genesis passage quoted above as well).

I love the idea that we'll have a new set featuring ruins. This is what I personally live for with this show - the rich history of the island.

The whole scenario actually reminded me of Mayan civilization and their penchant for offerring human sacrifices..... :cool:This is what I first thought too, some kind of altar for sacrifices. Perhaps the ancient people there made sacrifices that 'the island demanded' also.

Ben did tell Locke that they were going to an "old place" (think that what he said :undecide: )

The rest of the Others made me feel that the spot has deep almost religious meaning.

This is what I first thought too, some kind of altar for sacrifices. Perhaps the ancient people there made sacrifices that 'the island demanded' also.

Maybe not only sacrifice but sacrifice of a parent or relative.

Ben seemed pretty keen on killing Cooper/Sawyer. I wonder why? - Probably not only for Locke's benefit.

reminded me of somehting out of king kong, or temple of doom...

So, Cooper is tied up to an ancient column in the jungle? Were they camping amongst the ruins of an ancient civilization?

Island mythology, and the 4-toed statue . . .

I thought the same thing. I was hoping to see something tie-in the four toed being but I definitely think they're connected.

Anyone put up screen caps of the sacrifice pillar yet?

reminded me of somehting out of king kong, or temple of doom...

You beat me to the King Kong (http://shillpages.com/faywray/wrayfp31.jpg) reference! That's what first came to my mind too.

Anyone put up screen caps of the sacrifice pillar yet?

DarkUFO has one here:

http://bp0.blogger.com/_RrObyQ3XzcY/Rjl0lJsh4FI/AAAAAAAAE-w/Bf0Ugoy7PNw/s1600-h/cooper.jpg

or

http://losteastereggs.blogspot.com/

DarkUFO has one here:

http://bp0.blogger.com/_RrObyQ3XzcY/Rjl0lJsh4FI/AAAAAAAAE-w/Bf0Ugoy7PNw/s1600-h/cooper.jpg

or

http://losteastereggs.blogspot.com/

Thanks. Looks to me like there's some rubble around the bottom - maybe not the only pillar, but perhaps the only one still standing?

As far as I can remember, this is only the second time that we have seen an ancient ruin (the 4 toed statue and now the "alter" or column that Cooper was tied to).

Anyone out there study ancient architecture?

What do we know about the new structures and any possible period that they would be from???

These structures were on island well before the Black Rock landed on shore so what does this tell us about the timeline of the island?

Have there been any references to ancient civilization (pre Black Rock) in any other LOST puzzles, books, LOST Experience...anything other than the actual series????

It just seems to me that these could be connected in some way...ie. the same people built the statue that built the ruins.

I would like to know what the giant foot was about or how it got on the island.



There is a movie from the 1970's (The Ninth Configuration) in which a character
asks "What if God is just a giant foot?"

yeah, how come they haven't mentioned the statue during the entire season? it was part of the last season cliff-hanger that was discussed most fervently during the summer break

A bit douchey of the writers if they don't follow up this subplot

Subplot? I wouldn't exactly call the sighting of an ancient statue a subplot. And what discussion is there to be had on the subject?

"Hey did you see that? What was it?"
"um, I don't know know..."
"..."
"..."

Sheesh, the things people find to complain about. Considering how not integral the origin of these ruins are to any current plots, I would guess we won't hear about them yet. Everything in due time though, everything in due time.

yeah, how come they haven't mentioned the statue during the entire season? it was part of the last season cliff-hanger that was discussed most fervently during the summer breakOn the last podcast tptb have said that the four toed is very important and we will learn more about it next year in season 4. Rumour is that next years set is the "ruins" and the our losties will be exploring some ruins on the Island.

I wrote in the other thread out there on this topic that all I remember from Humanities class was the 3 basic types of columns - doric, ionic, and corinthian. They differ by who made them (greeks, romans), and may also date them. Your sure bet was to look at the level of ornateness at the top of the column (doric has the least amount of detail, ionic is in the middle, and corinthian feature the leafy ornate detail. Cooper's sacrificial column didn't have the top in tact. DarkUFO has some great screen shots of the crumbled stone scattered around the alter as well. At the very least, without being able to say who built them and when, we're heading into the richer mythology of the island by seeing this set as well as the 4-toed statue.

Yes, and all Ben said was "We're going to a new place, well an old place actually."
I love it.

On the last podcast tptb have said that the four toed is very important and we will learn more about it next year in season 4.


I am kind of thinking the seasons have and will have been about certain overall things

Season 1- Introduction to everyone and all the crazy stuff going on, on the island
Season 2- The Hatch and the numbers
Season 3- The Others
Season 4- The Island (ex: smoke monster, 4 toed statue, etc)
Season 5- ?? Not sure exactly yet, most likely just wrapping things up (getting rescued and/or however things play out through season 4)

This has probably been discussed before as part of the mythology of the island. I have always thought the Dharma Initiative was a very ancient orgainzation. This being its most recent incarnation. In existence since the beginning of recorded history. There has always been a group trying to save and better civilization and those trying to enslave and destroy it.

The four-toes may be a symbol (like circumcison) of a covenant for those on the good side. But, who is making these covenants? God? I wonder if we will see "ancient" flashbacks.

I really enjoy the posts where ancient references and quotes are made. This forum is as interesting as the show itself.

I really enjoy the posts where ancient references and quotes are made. This forum is as interesting as the show itself.

I enjoy all the references in the show, the religious undertones, the subtle references to philosophers with peoples names, the Dharma logo and how its similar to the Buddhist wheel. The books, the homages, everything. Not only is the show entertaining and gripping, but it has this further layer of unlocked intelligence - which includes all of the above mentioned.

Watching this show has broadened my knowledge, of America (I'm from the UK), of religious culture and beliefs, of complicated science etc. It's both fantastic and annoying, because I'm obsessed with the show, but now whenever i watch something else i just say to myself "It's no LOST". Everything pales in comparison now, even all of my old favourites. It's not even fair ahaha.

It's both fantastic and annoying, because I'm obsessed with the show, but now whenever i watch something else i just say to myself "It's no LOST". Everything pales in comparison now, even all of my old favourites. It's not even fair ahaha.

I know what you mean. Something has finally replaced "The Prisoner" as the best thing to ever grace the small screen.

Cheers!

I guess the ancient ruins, the 4 toed statue are an indication that some sort of ancient religion was practiced on this island long before the arrival of Dharma and modern science/technology. There might be "natives" who still inhabit a part of the island yet unseen. The Adam and Eve reference might have been a clue in this direction.

well remember early on the quote from TPTB that the mythology on the ISLAND is ancient.. that it has been around for many millenia...

that was always one of the most powerful hooks for me early...

that's always been my driving force... the ISLAND and its pre Dharma mythology is the key to the series...

DHARMA is just a distraction.

Wow! Now that I got a close up of that shot, there are other structural remnants clearly visible, behind the smaller trees and stuff.
I will have to re-re-re-re watch this ep!

well remember early on the quote from TPTB that the mythology on the ISLAND is ancient.. that it has been around for many millenia...

that was always one of the most powerful hooks for me early...

that's always been my driving force... the ISLAND and its pre Dharma mythology is the key to the series...

DHARMA is just a distraction.

There is an interesting entry at Lostpedia on the orgins of the Four Toed Statue. One possible reason for the statue is given. No, it's not a spoiler, but taken in context it makes sense from a storytelling perspective.

Here's the link: [ http://lostpedia.com/wiki/Four-Toed_Statue/Theories#Four-Toed_People ]