Southeast Asia’s archaelogical sites like Gunung Padang and Sa Hunh reveal lost civilizations, continually reshaping our understanding of the ancient world.

Now, can you imagine being the one unearthing the remains of a long forgotten culture, objects that have been buried for thousands of years? Imagine yourself leading a team of researchers (archaeologists, historians, and specialists) working together to decipher the mysteries of a site never before unearthed. Every find, from a small ceramic shard to a monumental structure, could provide crucial clues about how these ancient peoples lived and were organized. But the work doesn’t stop with excavation: you must document your discoveries, reconstruct their past, and gain recognition from the scientific community by publishing your findings in the most prominent scientific journals and amaze visitors by showcasing the unearthed artifacts in a museum.

The game is played both during the present and the past. You will take on the role of a team of archeologists in the present who are trying to decipher the secrets of that culture, but you will also play as the peoples of these ancient groups in the past, making the history that will be studied later. The actions players take collectively in the past will affect the present, by creating new breakthrough discoveries, changing the ruins available to excavate, and defining the strengths of each aspect of that civilization. By writing theses about the ancients’ major feats, you will establish the historical significance of their achievements (represented as victory points).

The world is waiting for new explorers. Are you ready to uncover the past?