Archaeologists attempting to reclaim prehistory from von Däniken have pointed out that his argument is built on pathetically flawed logic and non-existent evidence, only to be stunned when they find that these shortcomings are conceded and forgiven by his public. If von Däniken is so persuasive that he can convince even himself, his book sales indicate that his version of ancient human history might be the one most widely held by the literate people of this planet. Of this I have felt certain for the past four years or so (Playboy 1974:56). The basic thing is to be convinced that the fundamental theory is right, that we have been visited from outer space and those visitors altered our intelligence by artificial mutation. By the second book, Gods from Outer Space, I was more certain, but not absolutely. When I wrote it 1 was not at all convinced. I wrote Chariots of the Gods? in 1966, so for me it’s an old book. VON DÄNIKEN: I guess only in recent years. PLAYBOY: When did you become convinced that these theories were true? Is it possible that his readers can take him seriously? His arguments seem self-evidently ridiculous to archaeologists. Depending on their temperaments, archaeologists are saddened, frightened, or infuriated when they contemplate the fact that he has sold more books about archaeology than any archaeologist who ever lived.

His total sales, including later books, have passed the 25 million mark in a market extending to 32 countries. The Scholar’s ProblemĪccording to his paperback cover blurbs, von Däniken has sold 7 million copies of Chariots of the Gods?. Taking such an approach will suggest some general intellectual principles that nonspecialists can use to evaluate any piece of popular archaeological literature. This article will examine the structure of the argument presented in Chariots of the Gods? rather than the substance of its evidence. The proof of these visits, said von Däniken, is clearly visible in the earth’s archaeological record. He claimed that human history had been shaped by visitors from outer space, and that human potential had been improved by crossbreeding with these aliens. The hotel manager’s name was Erich von Däniken. An English edition appeared under the title Chariots of the Gods?. In 1968 an obscure Swiss hotel manager published a book entitled Erinnerungen an die Zukunft.

Erich von daniken chariot of the gods