Quns

Quns is a term used in speculative fiction and in some fictional scholarly writings to denote an imagined people, civilization, or conceptual group. There is no single canonical definition, and the identity of the Quns varies by author; in many works they function as a historically significant yet enigmatic civilization whose traces are uncovered by researchers in later eras.

Origins of the name are varied; some authors treat Quns as an ancient predecessor to known cultures, while others treat it as a self-contained people with their own language and social order.

Common motifs include advanced knowledge of astronomy and mathematics, long-distance trade networks, complex ritual or ceremonial practices, and a body of artifacts such as inscriptions, architecture, and mechanical devices.

Portrayals: In novels, games, and film, Quns are depicted as either benevolent scholars or inscrutable powers; many narratives center on deciphering Qun inscriptions or reconstructing their history from ruins.

Reception and scholarship: Because Quns are fictional, real-world scholarship treats them as narrative devices; some authors use Quns to explore themes of cultural memory, intergenerational transmission of knowledge, or the fragility of civilizations.