Ancient Aliens
Documentary

What are some of the influences that have made belief in visitations by aliens in ancient times seem more acceptable to the general public?

Describe the impact of Erik von Däniken in the topic of ancient aliens. What are von Däniken’s theories?

Various people appear as talking heads in this video. Identify them and list their credentials or expertise (if any). Also, indicate if you would classify them as believers in ancient aliens or skeptics.

• Luis Navia
• Michael Cremo
• David Childress
• Sara Seager
• George Noory
• Giorgio Tsoukolas
• Robert R. Cargill
• Ilia Delio
• Javier Grillo-Marxuach
• Barry H. Downing
• Arthur Demarest
• Michael Dennin
• Todd Dishotell
• Jason Martell
• Michael Shermer

What is the role of science fiction in the modern popularity of ideas about ancient aliens?

How do ancient alien theories interpret the evidences listed below? How do mainstream skeptical scholars interpret the same evidence?

• Piri Reis Map
• Bagdad Batteries
• Nazca Lines

How does the documentary compare the cargo cults of the Pacific Islanders at the end of World War II with the evidences for ancient aliens at Nazca?

Ancient alien theories are based on the ideas that ancient gods were actually visitors from outer space. The miracles of the ancient gods were actually the result of alien super-technology. Describe the details of the theories that ancient gods were aliens.

Ancient alien theorists identify various artifacts as depicting ancient astronauts. How convincing are such identifications?

What are the claims regarding Lord Pacqual’s sarcophagus and ancient aliens?

What claims do ancient alien theories make about the Egyptian and Central American pyramids?

What claims are made about the Easter Island moia and ancient aliens?

How does the documentary connect Easter Island with Tiwanaku in Bolivia? What is the significance of Puma Punku for ancient alien theorists?

What are the claims of ancient alien theorists about the following artifacts? How do skeptical scholars respond?

• Antikythera Device
• Dendera Temple light bulbs
• Bagdad batteries

What claims are made about ancient astronomical knowledge and the archaeological sites at:

• Teotihuacan
• Stonehenge
• Tikal

Ancient alien theorists claim that ancient accounts of visitors from outer space are consistent over time and all over the world. Is this true? Do theories about ancient aliens form a coherent whole like mainstream scientific theories or historical interpretations do?

Giorgio Tsoukolas claims that some evidence of ancient alien visitations has never been debunked. Is his claim credible?

Erik von Däniken claims that his theories will be confirmed in five-to-ten years. The copyright on this documentary is 2009. What do you think his chances are?

Which talking heads were believers and which were skeptics? Which talking heads did not express an opinion one way or the other? Were skeptics or believers given more time to talk? Were the skeptics allowed to give a rebuttal to every claim made by the ancient alien theorists?

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Click on the map of Atlantis
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Invented Knowledge:
False History, Fake Science, and Pseudo-religions,
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