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This topic has moved here: Subject: An evaluation of the structrures on Delta Halo (Human in origin?)
  • Subject: An evaluation of the structrures on Delta Halo (Human in origin?)
Subject: An evaluation of the structrures on Delta Halo (Human in origin?)

@accordingto343

Your one stop shop for all of 343's fabulous errors and ridiculous notions in the Halo lore.

*Speculation and old news ahead*

After re-reading Halo Cryptum, I have new questions about the ruins found on Delta Halo. We all saw they differed greatly from the Forerunner structures yet we never seemed to question it. Perhaps I'm wrong about that, but I never remember many discussions between me and my like-minded Halo chums. However, that has changed.

The Halo Universe provides many questions, but few answers. On to the topic.

Example Delta Halo ruins

The beginning temple

You know, I think the Forerunners built these new structures around the old, to protect them, to honor them.

-Cortana


Cortana notes that the structures in question are old and indeed newer, more familiar Forerunner structures. At first glance it resembles Forerunner architecture, but I also can't shake the feeling there is more than meets the eye. Then I remember a quote from Dr. William Arthur Iqbal that gave me some new perspective.

I direct your attention to the photographs from Heian. There were obvious Forerunner elements in the architecture, but also unmistakable architecture themes from Greco-Roman, East Asian, and Middle Easter eras. All of those buildings predated human travel by perhaps hundreds maybe thousands of years. We find ourselves wondering if they borrowed from our history, or we from theirs. It is impossible that is was a coincidence.

Source: Halo Evolutions, paperback, page. 519

Also in Halo: Legends, we are shown the mysterious buildings in question.

First showing of the buildings, fast forward to 3:40

Unfortunately, Warner Brothers blocked the next video that shows more views of the structures. However, the point is clear, they do look human. Some speculate the ruins are pre-Human-Forerunner War in date and abandoned after humanity was de-evolved by the Forerunners and exiled to Earth.

So we have a dual Forerunner/Human influence style of architecture much like we have at Delta Halo. This is leading me to believe that the ruins on Delta Halo are human in origin.

Instead of resembling Greco-Roman, Asian, or Middle Eastern architecture, they resemble that of the Aztecs, Mayans, and Incas of Central and South America.

Examples of ancient Central/South American architecture.

Mayans ruins #1
Mayan ruins #2
Mayan ruins #3

Aztec ruins #1
Aztec ruins #2

Inca ruins #1
Inca ruins #2

Compared to the Delta Halo ruins, the similarities, at least to me, are striking. But what would be the point of human structures being on the ring? Cortana speculated that the ruins were being protected by the newer ones.

Perhaps they are there as a memorial to the Forerunner-Flood War? Did humans inhabit the ring at some point in time? That I cannot answer. This is where I believe discussion can begin. Thank you for reading.

I apologize if a better theory than this micro-theory of mine has been posted before. I couldn't find one, but I hope this could provide great discussion material.

[Edited on 07.21.2011 12:55 AM PDT]

  • 07.21.2011 12:29 AM PDT

I wake up to find myself
After all these years
And where all the time has gone
Still seems so unclear

When I first saw those ruins and when Cortana mentioned they weren't Forerunner, my mind jumped to our species. After I read Cryptum, I didn't really think about it, but perhaps Bornstellar had them moved there to honor Chakas and Riser? Forerunners do seem to have a large inclination for guilt.

Also, sense the Halo effect destroys Precursor ruins, I doubt that's what those are. So Human seems more likely to me.

  • 07.21.2011 12:50 AM PDT

@accordingto343

Your one stop shop for all of 343's fabulous errors and ridiculous notions in the Halo lore.

Hopefully we'll find out in the next two Forerunner novels.

  • 07.21.2011 12:56 AM PDT