OOPArts and the Ancient Astronaut Theory
"Aliens visited the Earth in ancient times." The OOPArts presented as evidence for this idea, and what research has revealed about them: a chart of the ancient astronaut theory and out-of-place artifacts.
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The connections in words
- Erich von Daniken Spread it worldwide → Ancient Astronaut Theory His 1960s book spread the ancient astronaut theory around the world.
- Ivan Sanderson Named it → OOPArts He is credited with the term "out-of-place artifacts."
- Ancient Astronaut Theory Offered as evidence → OOPArts OOPArts have been presented as evidence of alien visits.
- Ancient Astronaut Theory Related theory → Ancient Nuclear War Theory
- Ancient Nuclear War Theory Flying vehicles → Vimana Flying vehicles from Indian epics were linked with ancient weapons.
- Erich von Daniken Called it an astronaut → Palenque Sarcophagus Lid Mayanists read the scene as the king's death and rebirth.
- Palenque Sarcophagus Lid Offered as evidence → Ancient Astronaut Theory
- Dendera Light Ancient electricity? → Ancient Astronaut Theory Egyptologists read it as a myth of a lotus and a serpent.
- Golden Space Shuttle Ancient aircraft? → Ancient Astronaut Theory Most likely an ornament shaped like a fish or bird.
- Shakoki Dogu An alien? → Ancient Astronaut Theory Archaeologists consider them ritual objects.
- Antikythera Mechanism Genuine ancient technology → OOPArts An ancient Greek geared astronomical calculator, made by ancient people, not aliens.
- Baghdad Battery Disputed → OOPArts The battery theory is widely doubted.
- Crystal Skulls Modern creation → OOPArts Thought to have been made in the 19th century or later.
The Story
- Did aliens bring civilization?
"Aliens who visited the Earth taught ancient people advanced knowledge." This ancient astronaut theory spread worldwide through Erich von Daniken's books in the 1960s.
- Out-of-place artifacts
As evidence, people pointed to "OOPArts": artifacts supposedly impossible to make with the technology of their time.
- The Maya astronaut
The carved sarcophagus lid at Palenque, Mexico, was presented as an astronaut piloting a rocket. Mayanists, however, read it as the king's death and rebirth.
- Light bulbs, airplanes, spacesuits
Egypt's "light bulb," Colombia's "golden space shuttle," Japan's goggle-eyed dogu: all are explained as mythological scenes, animal-shaped ornaments or ritual objects.
- Ancient nuclear war and flying vehicles
The vimana, flying vehicles of Indian epics, have been linked with the ancient nuclear war theory.
- The real marvel
The Antikythera mechanism, on the other hand, is a genuine ancient Greek astronomical calculator. Ancient people achieved astonishing technology without any help from aliens.