Father of alien archaeology says pyramids not built by human hands

"Von Däniken, who died this month aged 90, argued that extraterrestrial visitors played a direct role in helping ancient Egyptians construct monuments that would otherwise have been impossible. In his 1968 bestseller 'Chariots of the Gods,' he claimed alien 'astronauts' visited early civilizations, including the ancient Egyptians and Mayans, and shared advanced technology. As evidence, von Däniken pointed to the pyramids' precise engineering, unanswered questions about construction methods, striking mathematical and astronomical coincidences, and ancient carvings showing visiting beings."

"He insisted the engineering precision of the Great Pyramid could not be explained by human skill alone, questioning how massive stone blocks were moved, how the structure was lit internally, and how builders appeared to possess advanced knowledge of mathematics, Earth, and space. Taken together, he argued these mysteries proved the pyramids were not built solely by humans. Despite his popularity, the claims have been repeatedly challenged by archaeologists and historians."

"Research and archaeological evidence show large numbers of laborers were present in ancient Egypt, with records detailing how workers were fed and housed, along with cemeteries where they were buried. Entire worker towns have also been discovered near pyramid sites, as well as quarries where stones were cut and transported. Von Däniken is often described as the father of ancient alien archaeology because his bestselling books popularized and defined the idea that extraterrestrials influenced early human civilizations."

Erich von Däniken argued that extraterrestrial visitors directly helped ancient Egyptians construct monuments such as the Great Pyramid, which he claimed were otherwise impossible. In Chariots of the Gods he claimed alien 'astronauts' visited early civilizations including Egyptians and Mayans and shared advanced technology. He pointed to precise engineering, unresolved construction methods, mathematical and astronomical coincidences, and ancient carvings as evidence. He insisted the Great Pyramid's precision and internal lighting could not be explained by human skill alone. Archaeological research, however, shows large organized labor forces, worker towns, quarries, records of food and housing, and cemeteries that document human construction.

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