SINCE THE BEGINNING OF TIME

We know that an ancient Egyptian civilization once lived on the Island (the Temple, the hieroglyphs, the Tawaret statue). But the people on the island in present time do not appear to be the direct descendants of that culture. But the original inhabitants still influence all that followed them.

We know that Jacob and MIB were on the island for a long time before the Black Rock arrived in the late 1800s. MIB lamented to Jacob that he continued to bring people for a long time with the same result.

We have seen that around WWII, the U.S. Military was on the Island with troops and a bomb (Jughead). At the same time, the Others were present - - - and they terminated at least two military soldiers. For some unknown reason, the military left the island without its h-bomb.

The next group to occupy the Island was the Dharma Initiative in the 1970s. There was a hostile relationship between the science station(s) and the Others. The Dharma folks were wiped out by the Purge, and the Others under the leadership of Ben took over the Barracks.

The next group to arrive on the Island was the 815ers, for whom the Others found easy target practice. The strange thing is that the Others were protecting the island from outsiders, but were feverish in keeping the survivors on the Island by not allowing them to leave.

Like any conquering force, the victor at times adopts the local culture and integrates it into their rule. Look at the languages still used on the island by the Others: Egyptian, Latin, and English. The languages show a direct path in the evolution of the world's superpowers, the first advanced technological civilization was the Egyptians.

It was the Egyptians who first conceptualized time, with a 24 hour day. So, in essence, the beginning of "time" harks back to that ancient culture. If there was a god of the beginning of time, it would be Ptah, who having dreamt creation in his heart, and speaking it, called the world into being.

We get the impression that the Others are not the respectful heirs of any Egyptian dynasty. The Others appear rather nomadic, and taking camp in older structures. The temple people did not seem interested in maintaining the decaying grounds as a sacred place. They merely used it as a fort shelter. The Others did adopt the technology, knowledge and weapons of outsiders. Very pirate oriented system of collecting wealth and information. They are followers, who have been led for the most part by outsiders.

The only supernatural forces on the island has been Jacob and MIB/Smokey. One could be described as a gate keeper, or ferryman, who brings (diverts, captures) people to the island: Jacob. The other could be described as a janitor, security guard, a disposer of the unworthy: Smokey. Neither has any true allegiance or compassion for the Others or other island visitors.

It is possible to circle back and tie the creation myth of Ptah to the roles of Jacob and MIB. Once Ptah created the world, he needed someone (or something) to watch over it, guard it, and keep it from contaminating the realm(s) of the gods.