Quote Originally Posted by KageTokage View Post
Emet-Selch mentions that memories of the sundered were fragmented and unable to recall specifics of anything.

It's not really made clear exactly how badly mankind regressed in-game, but the lorebook mentions that creation of stone tools and the discovery of fire were among the defining attributes of the "age of gods" which suggests they were in an extremely primitive state.

I have a hunch that the Twelve were part of a post-Sundering contingency plan from Hydaelyn to ensure mankind could actually get back on their feet and recover instead of simply going extinct in the face of their newfound shortcomings.
Most "copies" of Amaurot were actually unharmed if the First is anything to go by, so I think the implication is that the destruction and worldwide trauma caused by the Sundering rendered Amaurot either wholly inaccessible or useless, so to speak. With that in mind, it seemed like what little was left of the Ancients themselves only had a world that was mostly just wilderness to work with, and even if they retained their knowledge and memory, their lack of Creation magic would've forced a hard reset anyways if most of Ancient society was built upon it.

Not trying to make a point or anything, just saying what I think happened.