The idea
The ancient astronaut hypothesis suggests that intelligent beings from elsewhere visited Earth in the distant past and were remembered as gods, teachers or sky people. It was popularized in the 20th century by writers such as Erich von Däniken (Chariots of the Gods?, 1968) and Zecharia Sitchin, whose readings of Sumerian texts are rejected by specialists in the language.
What is usually cited
- Sky beings in myth. Descending gods, flying vehicles (the vimanas of Indian epics), Ezekiel's wheels and Mesopotamian winged figures.
- Ancient art. Rock art figures with "helmets," such as those at Val Camonica and Tassili n'Ajjer.
- Monuments. The pyramids, Puma Punku, the Nazca lines and other works some feel were beyond the builders of the time.
- Aerial accounts in old records. Many are logged in our Ancient History and Classical Era timelines.
The counter-evidence
Archaeologists have shown how many of these monuments were built with the tools, labor and knowledge of their time, and point out that the hypothesis can undervalue the abilities of ancient peoples. No physical artifact has been confirmed as non-human technology.
How the UTP treats it
We log ancient accounts as historical reports, describe what the source actually says, and keep interpretation separate. The question is open and interesting; it is not settled in either direction.