Erich von Daniken is a Swiss writer.
In his 1968 book Chariots of the Gods?, he argued that ancient sites such as the pyramids and the Nazca Lines were the result of the technology and influence of aliens who visited the ancient Earth, and it became a worldwide bestseller. This ancient astronaut theory set off a huge boom, but archaeologists have strongly criticized it as lacking evidence and belittling the abilities of ancient peoples. He also presented the Palenque sarcophagus lid as an astronaut.
