Ancients Time Line

[Sindatur]

I'm really confused about the exact order of stuff regarding the Ancients.

Sometimes, I'm left with the impression the Ancients left from Earth to go to Pegasus Galaxy, and at other times, it seems they left Pegasus to go to Earth (And it seems they ascended from both Places)

Looking at the Stargates in SG1, all the Milky Way ones were spinning, mechanical ones (I recall the Asgard Gate(s) offhand). In Atlantis the gates look more advanced, with their digital display, and no spinning (Now, of course, from a special effects point of view, the Atlantis ones look like Cheap Plastic Asian knockoffs, but, I don't think we're supposed to notice that)

So, exactly what order does stuff happen in, with regards to The Ancients? Is their a timeline somewhere for them?

I'm up to Mid S4 of Atlantis on my rewatch, after having completed a rewatch of SG1. Spoilers aren't a big deal, as I've seen most of S4 and S5 upon original airing (though not necessarily with my total attention, I originally watched Atlantis quite passively and sporadically)

 

[Chevron Guy]

Here is one resource I found regarding the timeline.

 

[Kemaiku]

They left their homeworld in the Ori Galaxy more than 50 million years ago, as the first Stargate ever made was the Antarctic gate (Arc of Truth) and is 50 million YO.

They were here for some time, seeding life in this galaxy and were settled on Dakara, then Atlair, then Earth.

They constructed Atlantis a little over 10 to 12 million years ago (atop the Antarctic base) and left for the Pegasus Galaxy aboard her when a virus broke out across the Milky Way that was lethal pretty much only to them. (Atlantis pilot)

They had several bases and settlements in this galaxy right up until their Ascension 10,000 years ago. One of these worlds was the planet Destiny was built in orbit of and launched from 900,000 - 1 million years ago. And presumably Atlair still, as the legend of the "Altarans" continued until Englands early feudal era.

On abandoning Atlantis the remaining non-ascended Ancients (and their decendents) lived our their days on Earth 10,000 years ago until around the 800's AD (Merlin, Morgan et al)

 

[RoJoHen]

Sometimes, I'm left with the impression the Ancients left from Earth to go to Pegasus Galaxy, and at other times, it seems they left Pegasus to go to Earth (And it seems they ascended from both Places)

Yep, both are true. They originated in the Ori Galaxy, which we learn in Season 9 and then traveled to the Milky Way, seeding planets with humans and Stargates.

When the virus broke out (possibly a plague created by the Ori in order to destroy the Alterans/Ancients), they used Atlantis to leave Earth and eventually settled in Pegasus.

They hung out in Pegasus for a while, until it became obvious they could not win the war with the Wraith. At that point, the remaining Ancients left Pegasus and returned to Earth via the Stargate (which we see in SGA's "Before I Sleep"). Among these refugees were Merlin and Morgan la Fey. From there, the last of the Ancients either died or ascended on Earth.

 

[Sindatur]

Chemahkuu and RojoHen, thanks, that was a more concise (And damned inclusive) summary that was more easily digestible than I ever hoped for

Chevron Guy, thanks for that Stargate Wiki page, that's fantastic, I will definitely be studying up on that page as I have time

 

[RoJoHen]

It took re-watching both SG-1 and Atlantis roughly 6 times for me to get a handle on their timeline.

It's all actually pretty logical, but with 15 seasons to keep track of, it can be difficult to remember all the details.