The idea that the pyramids are not man-made has been one of the most compelling and intriguing conspiracy theories over the decades.
At the heart of this long debate, the name of the Swiss writer Erich von Däniken emerged as the biggest supporter of this idea.
Von Däniken, who recently died at the age of 90, promoted this idea for decades, until he became known as the "father of the ancient astronaut theory".
Now, with his death this month, his controversial theories have resurfaced. Throughout his life, he maintained that advanced extraterrestrial beings visited Earth in ancient times and helped the Egyptians build the pyramids, which he considered impossible to construct by human means alone.
The basis of this idea can be traced back to his famous book "Chariots of the Gods," published in 1968, which achieved enormous sales. In this book, von Däniken presented his revolutionary vision that ancient "space travelers" from advanced extraterrestrial civilizations visited Earth, interacted with early human civilizations in Egypt, Central America, and elsewhere, and transferred advanced technological knowledge that helped these civilizations achieve amazing architectural and engineering feats.
For Von Däniken, the Giza pyramids were the strongest evidence supporting his theory. The extraordinary engineering precision, the sheer size of the stones weighing tons, and the complex mathematical design all led him to doubt that ancient humans could have achieved this feat alone. He wondered: How could the Egyptians have moved these enormous stones? How could they have cut them with such precision? And how could they have raised them to a height exceeding 140 meters?!
What is most intriguing about von Däniken's thinking is his connection between extraterrestrial visits and ancient Egyptian religious beliefs. According to his theory, the advanced beings who appeared to the Egyptians were considered gods, and their promises of life after death drove the pharaohs to mummify and bury treasures, awaiting the return of these "gods" who promised to one day return from the stars to resurrect the mummified bodies of the kings.
He also interpreted some inscriptions and drawings in Egyptian and Mayan temples as images of astronauts and spacecraft.
Von Däniken's ideas gained immense popularity, particularly during the space craze of the 1960s and 70s. The notion that "aliens built the pyramids" became deeply ingrained in popular culture, appearing in numerous films and television series, and even being embraced by influential figures like Elon Musk.
However, the academic and scientific perspective presents a completely different narrative. Archaeologists and Egyptologists point to conclusive physical evidence proving that the pyramids are a purely human achievement. Entire workers' settlements have been discovered near the pyramid site, containing dwellings, bakeries, salting factories, and their own tombs, indicating the presence of a large, organized workforce.
The excavations also revealed the quarries from which the stones were extracted, the sloping and wet paths that were used to haul the blocks, and the copper and stone tools that were used in carving.
As for the precise mathematical and astronomical knowledge, scientists explain it as the cumulative result of centuries of accurate observation of the stars and measurement of the land after the Nile flood, skills that are essential for an advanced agricultural society like ancient Egyptian society.
Egyptian texts and drawings reveal detailed accounts of the lives of the builders and priests, without any mention of strange creatures or technologies. Consequently, the scientific consensus is that the pyramids represent the pinnacle of human ingenuity in that era, resulting from meticulous planning, the efficient management of vast resources, and artistic skill honed over generations. Meanwhile, von Däniken's theory remains a captivating tale of imagination, reflecting our enduring curiosity about the unknown and reminding us that some questions, despite their seemingly clear scientific answers, will continue to ignite our imaginations and propel us toward the stars.
