Abstract
Abstract Ancient astronaut speculation (also called paleo-SETI), often labeled pseudoscience or modern myth, still awaits in-depth research. Focusing on Erich von Däniken and reconstructing his views on god and cosmology from scattered statements throughout his books, this article analyzes his attitudes toward science and religion as well as his concepts of god and creation. In this regard, his pantheistic combination of the big bang theory with a model of god as supercomputer is of special interest. Analogous to interpretatio Romana, Däniken utilizes what I call an interpretatio technologica, explaining myths by converting them into technological language. Building on the works of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin and Jean E. Charon, the Swiss writer also develops the vision of a cosmic tendency towards increasing knowledge and information. A short comparison with Raël demonstrates that similar ancient astronaut myths can lead to different applications or worldviews.
Highlights
While astronomers detect more and more exoplanets and SETI research (Search for ExtraTerrestrial Intelligence) is continuing – no longer publicly funded – a considerable part of the population is convinced that intelligent alien life exists, but that it already made contact.1 These speculations cover a wide range of topics including channeled messages from benevolent space commanders and frightening narratives of being abducted by mysterious Grey aliens
His hypothesis is usually summarized as follows: alien beings came to Earth in prehistoric times and created humankind from the early, apelike hominids. They were revered as gods by their creation. Traces of these “Ancient Astronauts” and their cultural influence on mankind supposedly survive in ancient remains, scripture and mythological texts
Since Serviss' novel, extraterrestrials have become a frequent motif in pyramidology. Another common hypothesis in today's Ancient Astronaut discourse is the idea that the aliens, because of their superior technology, are taken for divine beings with supernatural powers
Summary
While astronomers detect more and more exoplanets and SETI research (Search for ExtraTerrestrial Intelligence) is continuing – no longer publicly funded – a considerable part of the population is convinced that intelligent alien life exists, but that it already made contact. These speculations cover a wide range of topics including channeled messages from benevolent space commanders and frightening narratives of being abducted by mysterious Grey aliens. Since Serviss' novel, extraterrestrials have become a frequent motif in pyramidology Another common hypothesis in today's Ancient Astronaut discourse is the idea that the aliens, because of their superior technology, are taken for divine beings with supernatural powers. This topic of asymmetrical cultural contact entered SF literature about the same time as the idea of paleo-visits, e.g. in a novel by Kurd Lasswitz from 1897 (Pössel 2005). Concepts like these two have since been combined many times in fictional works, resulting in fictional versions of the Ancient Astronaut myth.
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