The Lost Civilization of Tartary: Myths, Maps, and the Mystery of History

Introduction: The Mystery of Tartary

History is a tale told by the victors, and sometimes entire civilizations vanish from textbooks and collective memory. One such mysterious civilization is Tartary—also known as Tartaria—a vast empire that once appeared on old maps but has since faded into obscurity.

Was Tartary a real empire? Why was it removed from historical narratives? And why are so many people rediscovering it today?

In this article, we dive deep into the Tartary civilization, separating facts from fiction, analyzing ancient maps, exploring architectural anomalies, and investigating how this civilization became the subject of modern curiosity and alternative history theories.

What Was Tartary?

Tartary, or Great Tartary, was once a name used by European cartographers and historians to describe a massive region in northern and central Asia. This area covered parts of modern-day Russia, Mongolia, China, and Central Asia.

From the 13th to the 19th century, Tartary appeared in historical texts, maps, and atlases. It was referred to as a powerful land ruled by Tartars (a broad term for various nomadic tribes like Mongols, Turks, and other Central Asian peoples).

But Tartary was not just one homogeneous culture. The name was more of a geopolitical placeholder used by Europeans for lands they didn’t fully understand. Yet, some maps and documents suggest a unified empire with advanced knowledge, architecture, and influence—prompting modern theorists to question what really happened.

Tartary in Ancient Maps

One of the strongest pieces of evidence for Tartary’s existence comes from old maps. From the 16th to the 19th century, maps by European cartographers such as Gerardus Mercator, Sebastian Münster, and Guillaume De L’Isle frequently featured the name “Tartaria” or “Tartary.”

Maps described territories such as:

Great Tartary – covering most of Siberia and parts of Central Asia
Chinese Tartary – parts of western China
Independent Tartary – Central Asian regions
Little Tartary – north of the Black Sea

These references gradually disappeared in the 19th century, coinciding with the rise of the Russian Empire and the standardization of history through European academia. So, was Tartary simply a misunderstood label—or something intentionally buried?

Cultural and Architectural Anomalies

Supporters of the Tartarian civilization theory often point to architectural marvels found across Russia, Central Asia, and even North America, claiming they are remnants of a forgotten global empire.

Key features often discussed include:

1. Star Forts

These geometric, star-shaped forts are found globally—from Russia and France to Morocco and the United States. Researchers argue they share similar construction techniques and designs, hinting at a unified engineering culture.

2. Megalithic Structures

Massive stone buildings, domes, and cathedrals with unknown construction origins are linked to Tartary. These include buildings with Greco-Roman aesthetics in unlikely places such as Siberia or remote parts of China.

3. Advanced Technology

Some claim evidence of ancient technology such as free energy systems, electromagnetic devices, or even advanced heating systems (like the Russian “hypocaust”). While these claims are controversial, they raise questions about technological knowledge attributed to early modern civilizations.

Was Tartary Erased From History?

Why did references to Tartary disappear so suddenly?

1. Colonialism and Empire Building

The Russian Empire, followed by the Soviet Union, gradually absorbed the regions labeled as Tartary. As these areas were colonized and renamed, maps were updated and older narratives discarded.

2. Standardization of World History

During the 19th century, the academic world moved toward standardized histories, often Eurocentric. Regions that didn’t fit the dominant narratives were simplified or erased.

3. Suppression or Oversight?

Some believe that the erasure of Tartary was intentional—to hide the existence of a powerful civilization independent of the West. Others argue it was simply a case of outdated terminology being replaced.

Regardless of intent, the fact remains: a vast civilization once shown on maps is no longer acknowledged in mainstream history.

Tartary in Modern Conspiracy Theories

In the 21st century, the mystery of Tartary has captured the imagination of alternative historians, YouTubers, and researchers.

Literary and Historical Mentions

Historical texts and travelogues offer some insight into Tartary’s people and culture.

Marco Polo’s Travels

Marco Polo passed through parts of Tartary in the 13th century. He described vast steppes, powerful Khans, and organized societies. His work gives a glimpse into what may have been a network of civilizations later labeled under the Tartary umbrella.

Jesuit Missions

Jesuit missionaries in the 17th century reported on the customs and beliefs of Tartarian peoples. They often described them as intelligent, devout, and structured—contrary to the "barbarian" image projected by some Europeans.

Arabic and Islamic Sources

Although the term “Tartary” was Western, Islamic historians like Ibn Battuta also described regions of Central Asia with sophisticated cities, trade routes, and scholarship. While not labeled “Tartary,” these accounts align with what maps later described under that name.

What Books Say About Tartary

While Tartary is not the focus of most academic books, it has appeared in several works:

“Tartary” by Christina Dodwell – a travel memoir exploring Central Asia
“Forbidden History” by J. Douglas Kenyon – a collection of essays on lost civilizations, including Tartary
“The Empire of the Steppes” by René Grousset – discusses Central Asian empires like the Mongols, which overlapped with Tartarian lands
“New World Order and the Hidden History of Tartaria” – explores conspiracy theories surrounding Tartary (non-academic)

Additionally, Arabic history books on the Mongol invasions, Timurids, and Silk Road cities offer indirect insights into Tartary’s role in global history.

Tartary and the Arab World

Though not directly tied to the Arab world, Tartary interacted with Persian, Turkic, and Islamic civilizations. The Silk Road passed through its lands, connecting China to the Middle East. Trade, scholarship, and religious exchange occurred across these regions.

The fall of Islamic centers like Baghdad (1258) to Mongol invasions—whose descendants ruled parts of Tartary—indirectly shaped Islamic history and its later recovery through Ottoman, Persian, and Mamluk dynasties.

In modern Arab interest, Tartary represents a symbol of erased heritage—an idea many in the region can relate to, given colonial histories and lost empires.

Conclusion: Tartary as a Symbol

Whether real empire or misunderstood label, Tartary symbolizes something more: the forgotten, the erased, and the questioned narratives of history.

As new generations question the stories they were taught, Tartary represents a doorway into reexamining history, appreciating cultural diversity, and uncovering the missing pieces of our shared human past.

For history lovers, book readers, and seekers of truth, the story of Tartary is both a warning and an inspiration—never take history at face value. Always dig deeper.

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