• Traces of the Gods: Ancient Astronauts as a Vision of Our Future

    Author(s):
    Jonas Richter (see profile)
    Date:
    2012
    Group(s):
    Archaeology, Religious Studies
    Subject(s):
    Cosmology, Mythology, Religions, Archaeology and religion
    Item Type:
    Article
    Tag(s):
    Anomalistics, creationism, Paleo-SETI, Postcolonial mythologies, New religious movements
    Permanent URL:
    http://dx.doi.org/10.17613/hasc-3302
    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.
    Notes:
    post-print https://zenodo.org/record/894139#.XqPqV5lCSUk
    Metadata:
    xml
    Published as:
    Journal article     Show details
    Pub. DOI:
    10.1163/156852712X630798
    Publisher:
    Brill
    Pub. Date:
    2012-4-16
    Journal:
    Numen
    Volume:
    59
    Issue:
    2-3
    Page Range:
    222 - 248
    ISSN:
    0029-5973,1568-5276
    Status:
    Published
    Last Updated:
    11 months ago
    License:
    All Rights Reserved

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