Separating Fact from Fiction: The Real Story Behind “Chariots of the Gods”

In 1968, Swiss author Eric Von Daniken published ‘Chariots of the Gods’, a book that proposed that extraterrestrial beings had visited Earth in the distant past and had a significant influence on the development of human civilization. Von Daniken’s theories were highly controversial, and many scientists and historians dismissed them as pseudoscience. However, recent scientific discoveries have shown that Von Daniken may have been right all along.

One of the key arguments in ‘Chariots of the Gods’ is that ancient civilizations, such as the Egyptians and the Incas, could not have built some of their most impressive structures without the help of advanced technology or knowledge. For example, Von Daniken suggested that the pyramids in Egypt were too perfect to have been constructed by human labor alone. While many scientists believed that Von Daniken was mistaken, recent studies have shown that some of the materials used in the construction of the pyramids, such as limestone, are far harder than previously thought. This suggests that the ancient Egyptians had access to advanced tools that allowed them to shape and move these massive stones with greater ease.

Another argument that Von Daniken made in ‘Chariots of the Gods’ was that ancient myths and legends, such as those of the Greek gods, were actually based on real extraterrestrial beings. While this theory was widely derided as fanciful, recent discoveries have shown that the ancient Greeks were far more advanced than previously thought. For example, the Antikythera mechanism, a complex device discovered in a shipwreck off the coast of Greece in 1901, was initially thought to be a simple navigational tool. However, recent studies have shown that it was a sophisticated astronomical calculator that could predict the movements of the planets with remarkable accuracy. This suggests that the ancient Greeks had a level of knowledge and technology that was far beyond what was previously thought possible.

In conclusion, while Eric Von Daniken‘s theories were initially dismissed as pseudoscience, recent scientific discoveries have shown that he may have been right all along. The evidence suggests that ancient civilizations had access to knowledge and technology that was far beyond what was previously thought possible, and that extraterrestrial beings may have played a significant role in shaping human civilization. It is time to re-evaluate Von Daniken’s work and consider the possibility that we are not alone in the universe.

Citations:

• Magli, G. (2013). Architecture, Astronomy and Sacred Landscape in Ancient Egypt. Cambridge University Press.

• Marchant, J. (2006). Decoding the Heavens: Solving the Mystery of the World’s First Computer. William Heinemann.

• Von Daniken, E. (1968). Chariots of the Gods. Putnam.