Martin Zimmermann's 'Versunkene Welten' Recasts Ruins as Engines of Progress

In his book 'Versunkene Welten' (Sunken Worlds), historian Martin Zimmermann challenges the romanticized view of ancient ruins as objects of melancholic nostalgia. Instead, he argues that sites like Troy, Carthage, and Pompeii should be seen as catalysts for development and historical transformation. Zimmermann contends that the modern perception of ruins as symbols of lost grandeur is a relatively recent phenomenon, emerging only in the 18th century. The book offers a revisionist perspective, emphasizing how these archaeological remains have driven cultural and economic progress rather than merely evoking a sense of loss. Published by NZZ, the work invites readers to reconsider the legacy of antiquity through a pragmatic lens.