where do you sit on ancient astronaut theory?

[fdeck]

In my view, ancient visitors from outer space qualify as supernatural, inasmuch as anybody can propose any scenario, and every scenario seems to be contrived so as to evade naturalistic inquiry.

There are other methods of inquiry, such as theology and astrology, that have suited themselves to dealing with the supernatural. I don't see why science needs to be involved.

 

[Tituscrow]

I read Graham Hancocks 'Fingerprints of the Gods' years ago and was immediately captivated by the whole notion of ancient civilisations and the associated astronomical aspects to the architecture.

I consider myself very open minded in terms of ancient history and science (I teach physics to 11-18 year olds) and always welcome interesting and challenging discussion.

However, I cannot help but think that anyone who gives any credence to the notion that ancient alien visitors gave our ancestors a helping hand all those years ago is, quite frankly, potty.

 

[Funky Ghost]

Since the idea hasn't been proved or disproved I am seated firmly on the fence.

I do, however, find the notion agreeable and lean towards the thought that it's a plausible notion ONLY if they ( aliens ) seeded this world. I find the numbers far too astronomical for a chance encounter given the vast distances involved and the number of galaxies out there.

 

[Gard]

Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence; however, extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof.

Carl Sagan




I have seen exactly ZERO proof of ANY kind, extraordinary or otherwise. Total hokum.

 

[96tbird]

Ummm, the ice sheets only covered MAYBE an eighth of the land mass. Most of these advanced ancient 'builder' civilizations lived totally separate from the ice sheets. The dates of the earliest agrarian societies is constantly being pushed back.

Am I missing something you are trying to get at? You are speaking of a period of 42,000 years. That's a lot of time to move from caves to agrarian society ruled by demi-gods that enslave labor to do their will as far as constructing buildings to glorify whatever it is that they impress upon the population to keep them enslaved and in check.

what agriculture are you speaking of? earth came out of the ice age about 12,000 years ago, or more recently, depending on where, and we were living in caves for 30,000 years prior to that. the notion that ancient man had the technology to build the kind of temples and structures that date to 12-15,000 years ago, immediately following the recession of glaciers, is really hard to swallow.

 

[onosson]

Not going to read through this whole thread, but FWIW, I don't believe there is any evidence that at any time in history, the majority of humans lived in caves. That's simply a mischaracterization of the nature of prehistoric humans.

I'm pretty sure it's likely that various components of "civilization" are quite a lot older than we might believe. Here's one small example that was discovered fairly recently: Göbekli Tepe - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[jmattbassplaya]

Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence; however, extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof.

Carl Sagan




I have seen exactly ZERO proof of ANY kind, extraordinary or otherwise. Total hokum.

+100

People seem to take the first half of that quote to a ridiculous extreme and consider it a sound enough reason to bring up belief and faith in scientific debates or discussions.

I don't mean to step on any toes, but Astronaut Theory is not a real scientific theory. It's a pseudo-science that lacks any real evidence to support it.

 

[96tbird]

Not going to read through this whole thread, but FWIW, I don't believe there is any evidence that at any time in history, the majority of humans lived in caves. That's simply a mischaracterization of the nature of prehistoric humans.

I'm pretty sure it's likely that various components of "civilization" are quite a lot older than we might believe. Here's one small example that was discovered fairly recently: Göbekli Tepe - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Me agree with you Cro-magnon wanderer, ooga booga. Really though, it is the nature of hunter gatherers to keep spreading out and adapting and evolving like Darwin's finches. I say that spreading happened quite rapidly, given the time spans involved. Once in areas good for agriculture, early man picked up on it rapidly, fin ding groves of certain foods and protecting and caring for them. Observing the formation of fruit seeds and realizing they could be cultivated. The spreading slowed and they began building up communities and social structure and preserving knowledge.

It doesn't take a scientist to imagine that. Now visitors?, why didn't they stay in touch? If they wanted friends, they would have dropped in and brought us up to speed rapidly and indoctrinated us in their culture. We would not be a threat as long as we were treated equally. If they could teach how to build a pyramid, then we were already advanced enough in mind to handle being assimilated into their culture.

If they wanted something from us or our planet, they would just take it at that point as we would have no defense against galactic travelers. Proponents want us to believe that aliens have been just watching us for thousand of years after a first cursory visit? Surely they would have recognized that we would develop and become technically sophisticated on our own and that we may become a threat to them. Wouldn't that be more motivation to assimilate us and befriend us so we could all be on the same page? To rout out our base instincts by educating and sharing with us? I find it hard to believe they would come all this way without a reason and if they just happened upon us, they being intelligent wouldn't want us to become partners of theirs.

Yes there is life elsewhere. I just don't think they came here and just left us basically in the same situation as they found us. They would be too curious about the differences between us just to leave.

 

[jmattbassplaya]

Just to play along with your idea of ET giving us technology and then leaving us alone just to observe us - one reason they might do that is to see how we develop on our own without too much outside influence. By observing us they might be able to better piece together the story of their own evolution and see how certain species can go from 'cave dwellers' into space traveling cosmonauts.

 

[MatticusMania]

Your quote said in our solar system.

Right, I said that we are the only known lifeform in our solar system and that would be a likely reason why beings from elsewhere in the universe would come to this planet.

 

[Gard]

+100

People seem to take the first half of that quote to a ridiculous extreme and consider it a sound enough reason to bring up belief and faith in scientific debates or discussions.

I don't mean to step on any toes, but Astronaut Theory is not a real scientific theory. It's a pseudo-science that lacks any real evidence to support it.

^ x1000

Nothing remotely scientific about "Ancient Astronaut Theory", it is the silly ramblings of a deluded dreamer. No support whatsoever for it.

 

[MatticusMania]

I don't mean to step on any toes, but Astronaut Theory is not a real scientific theory. It's a pseudo-science that lacks any real evidence to support it.

I wouldnt call it psuedo-science, but I also wouldnt give it credence as real scientific theory, either. I dont think its science at all, but rather more history and faith.

 

[lucas vigor]

It is interesting though, as a matter of philisophical debate. Hey, you know something? We bass players are pretty smart! You can bet they ain't having these discussions over at the guitard forums!

Much like ancient Homo Erectus, they lack the ability to articulate well!

 

[96tbird]

Just to play along with your idea of ET giving us technology and then leaving us alone just to observe us - one reason they might do that is to see how we develop on our own without too much outside influence. By observing us they might be able to better piece together the story of their own evolution and see how certain species can go from 'cave dwellers' into space traveling cosmonauts.

You read me wrong? I was saying potty to that idea.

An experiment that takes millennia? I find that difficult to swallow. What would be the point in wasting all those resources on something that would take so long, especially because if their own culture took so long to develop, they would know of the enormous time spans involved. Plus, if you think they imparted some knowledge to us vis-a-vis stone monuments, they contaminated the experiment.

 

[EBodious]

i don't think it is likely that an advanced race could jump from one galaxy to another so i think this debate really sits inside our own. that said, our galaxy is so incredible old, and human existence (so far) has been so phenomenally short (relatively speaking) that i think the odds of a space traveling culture coming to earth during the time that humans are here are incredibly, incredibly, incredibly small.

however, after 6 pages of debate i am quite surprised that this very clear proof has not been brought up yet:

pilgrims, indians, and aliens; the first thanksgiving.

go on, prove it didn't happen...

 

[96tbird]

I had no idea!

 

[tangentmusic]

Ancient Astronauts? Who knows..
But the Nazca Lines sure are pretty.

 

[DerHoggz]

wow,....

you just proved my point!!!

thanks,

No, you missed the point. There is absolutely no reason we would need all parts at once, because they aren't related and wouldn't matter to tasks that don't need them. This is like a sportsman deciding they want to wear equipment from every sport, not really useful.

 

[charlie monroe]

The Annunaki are my favourite as they wrote about beings coming from the 10th planet in the solar system visiting us every 2,750 years.

An experiment that takes millennia? I find that difficult to swallow. What would be the point in wasting all those resources on something that would take so long, especially because if their own culture took so long to develop, they would know of the enormous time spans involved.

I don't really have a dog in this fight, but I would like to weigh in on the matter of time and distance.

If I'm not mistaken, Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity basically says, as you approach the speed of light, time passes much more slowly than if you were at rest.

So, the Ancient Astronauts who were mining gold and reprogramming human DNA about, what did onosson's link say? 12,000 years ago? Anyway, so the AA's ran out of Marlboros and Heineken and needed to go home and load up at Circle K. They wanted to hit the casino anyway and bet the a$$load of gold they just raped from Earth on the Orion Octopi in next Sunday's championship Black Hole Bowl. Two of the AA's are the rhythm section of the half time band and need to rehearse. So they load up their gear, wave goodbye to the Annunaki and head for home in their Interstellar OverDrive.

Most of the AA's lost their Au in an intense defensive battle for the title, the band, however, slayed the stadium and everyone partied long into the night. Monday afternoon, still slightly hungover, they pile into the IOD and head back to good ole Terra...

where they discover that 2,750 Earth years had transpired in their absence. Maybe they feel the gravity of their cultural impact; they resolve never to return and let nature take its course. Perhaps instead they are watching, and waiting for us to become worthy of chilling with. Maybe guys like hdracer and half the deck watch get to see them sometimes. Maybe when we are ready, Earth will get invited to send a team to the Black Hole Bowl.

Who knows? Fun to think about though, isn't it?

 

[BioDriver]

I wouldnt call it psuedo-science, but I also wouldnt give it credence as real scientific theory, either. I dont think its science at all, but rather more history and faith.

That's what pseudoscience is Anything that relies solely on speculation and faith and cannot be tested according to the scientific method is pseudoscience.

however, after 6 pages of debate i am quite surprised that this very clear proof has not been brought up yet:

pilgrims, indians, and aliens; the first thanksgiving.

go on, prove it didn't happen...

FOR STUFFING!