metamitya ·
Tartarian Empire
• The Tartarian Empire is a collection of pseudohistorical conspiracy theories suggesting the existence of a lost civilization with advanced technology and culture, primarily rooted in Russian nationalism.
• The term Tartary historically referred to Central Asia and Siberia, but these theories misrepresent the region's well-documented history.
• The idea of Great Tartaria as a suppressed civilization emerged in Russia during the 1970s and 1980s, influenced by figures like Anatoly Fomenko and Nikolai Levashov.
• The Russian Geographical Society has debunked the Tartarian conspiracy theory, labeling it an extremist fantasy and providing historical maps of Tartary.
• Since around 2016, Tartarian Empire conspiracy theories have gained popularity online, expanding beyond their original Russian nationalist context.
• Proponents claim that demolished buildings worldwide, such as the Singer Building and original New York Penn Station, were part of a vast Tartarian empire erased from history.
• The theory includes the concept of a "mud flood" that allegedly depopulated the world and buried many historical buildings, citing architectural anomalies like submerged doors and windows.
• Adherents argue that World Wars I and II contributed to the destruction and concealment of Tartaria, paralleling the real destruction of historic buildings during these conflicts.
• The theory draws on the observation of similar architectural styles globally, such as domed capitol buildings, and contrasts images of deserted streets with ornate structures.
• Critics, including Zach Mortice, compare the Tartarian theory to "the QAnon of architecture," suggesting it reflects cultural discontent with modernism and nostalgia for traditional styles.
• Moritz Maurer links Tartarian imagery to other conspiracy theories, such as the "giant trees" theory, noting their lack of coherent narratives is influenced by image-based social media and meme culture.