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{{Short description|American extraterrestrial visitation television series}} | |||
{{pp-protected|reason=Persistent ]|expiry=11:17, 1 July 2017|small=yes}} | |||
{{About|a television program|hypotheses about extraterrestrial visitations during ancient times|Ancient |
{{About|a television program|hypotheses about extraterrestrial visitations during ancient times|Ancient astronauts|the song by Lemon Demon|Ancient Aliens (song)}} | ||
{{Use |
{{Use American English|date=December 2022}} | ||
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2018}} | |||
{{Infobox television | {{Infobox television | ||
| |
| image = Ancient Aliens logo.svg | ||
| |
| genre = {{Ubl | ||
|] | |||
| caption = | |||
|] | |||
| genre = ] | |||
|] | |||
| creator = | |||
|] | |||
| developer = | |||
}} | |||
| writer = | |||
| director = | |||
| narrated = ] | | narrated = ] | ||
| country = United States | | country = United States | ||
| language = English | | language = English | ||
| num_seasons = |
| num_seasons = 20 <!--Latest season to have aired--> | ||
| num_episodes = |
| num_episodes = 260 <!--This count includes the pilot--> | ||
| list_episodes = | | list_episodes = List of Ancient Aliens episodes | ||
| executive_producer = ] | | executive_producer = {{Ubl | ||
|] (2009–2021) | |||
|David Silver (2010–present) | |||
| producer = | |||
|Susan Leventhal (2010–present) | |||
| cinematography = | |||
|] (2016–present) | |||
}} | |||
| camera = ] | | camera = ] | ||
| runtime = |
| runtime = {{Ubl | ||
|90 minutes (season 1) | |||
|60 minutes (season 2–present) | |||
}} | |||
| company = ] | | company = ] | ||
| |
| network = ] | ||
| |
| first_aired = {{Start date|2009|3|8}} | ||
| picture_format = | |||
| audio_format = | |||
| first_aired = March 8, 2009 (Pilot)<br />{{start date|2010|4|20}} | |||
| last_aired = present | | last_aired = present | ||
| website = http://www.history.com/shows/ancient-aliens | |||
| production_website = http://www.prometheusentertainment.com | |||
}} | }} | ||
'''''Ancient Aliens''''' is an American television series produced by ] that explores the ] hypothesis of ] in a non-critical, documentary format. Episodes also explore related pseudoscientific and ] topics, such as: ] and other lost ancient civilizations, ] and ], and popular ].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2010-12-25 |title=Ancient Aliens Theory |url=https://www.history.com/shows/ancient-aliens/articles/ancient-alien-theory |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161229041912/http://www.history.com/shows/ancient-aliens/articles/ancient-alien-theory |archive-date=December 29, 2016 |access-date=September 22, 2019 |website=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-12-25 |title=Evidence of Ancient Aliens? |url=https://www.history.com/shows/ancient-aliens/articles/evidence-of-ancient-aliens |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927001731/http://www.history.com/shows/ancient-aliens/articles/evidence-of-ancient-aliens |archive-date=September 27, 2013 |access-date=September 22, 2019 |website=]}}</ref> The series, which has aired on ] since 2010, has been a target for criticism of History's ], as well as criticism for promoting unorthodox or unproven hypotheses as fact.<ref name="Forbes">{{Cite web |last=Lockwood |first=Brad |date=2011-10-17 |title=High Ratings Aside, Where's the History on History? |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/bradlockwood/2011/10/17/high-ratings-aside-wheres-the-history-on-history/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019222158/https://www.forbes.com/sites/bradlockwood/2011/10/17/high-ratings-aside-wheres-the-history-on-history/ |archive-date=October 19, 2017 |access-date=2012-03-21 |website=Forbes}}</ref> According to ], episodes of the series overwhelm the viewer with "fictions and distortions" by using a ].<ref name="Black">{{Cite web |last=Black |first=Riley |date=2012-05-11 |title=The Idiocy, Fabrications and Lies of Ancient Aliens |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-idiocy-fabrications-and-lies-of-ancient-aliens-86294030/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517220721/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-idiocy-fabrications-and-lies-of-ancient-aliens-86294030/ |archive-date=May 17, 2021 |access-date=2021-05-24 |website=]}}</ref> | |||
'''''Ancient Aliens''''' is an American television series that premiered on April 20, 2010, on the ] channel.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.history.com/shows/ancient-aliens/episodes|title=Ancient Aliens Episode Guide|date=December 25, 2010|publisher=History.com}}</ref> Produced by ] in a documentary style, the program presents hypotheses of ] and proposes that historical texts, archaeology, and legends contain evidence of past human-] contact.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.history.com/shows/ancient-aliens/articles/ancient-alien-theory|title=Ancient Aliens Theory|date=December 25, 2010|publisher=History.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.history.com/shows/ancient-aliens/articles/evidence-of-ancient-aliens|title=Evidence of Ancient Aliens?|date=December 25, 2010|publisher=History.com}}</ref> The show has been criticized for presenting ] and ]. | |||
Originally broadcast as two-hour documentary special in 2009, ''Ancient Aliens: The Series'' aired for three seasons as a flagship series on History from 2010 to 2012.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-12-25 |title=Ancient Aliens Episode Guide |url=https://www.history.com/shows/ancient-aliens/episodes |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160618184908/http://www.history.com/shows/ancient-aliens/episodes |archive-date=June 18, 2016 |access-date=September 22, 2019 |website=]}}</ref> The series moved to ] from 2012 to 2014, with frequent re-airings of episodes on History and other A&E services. In 2015, the series returned to History after H2 was relaunched as ]. A nineteenth season began in 2023.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Ancient Aliens Season 15 |url=https://www.history.com/shows/ancient-aliens/season-15 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200113214354/https://www.history.com/shows/ancient-aliens/season-15 |archive-date=January 13, 2020 |access-date=2020-01-13 |website=]}}</ref><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=2021-03-12 |title=Watch Ancient Aliens Season 16 Online – HISTORY |url=https://www.history.com/shows/ancient-aliens/season-16 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210207031417/https://www.history.com/shows/ancient-aliens/season-16 |archive-date=February 7, 2021 |access-date=2021-04-09 |website=]}}</ref> All episodes are narrated by ]. | |||
The series started with a ] of the same name that aired on March 8, 2009, on the ] channel. Seasons 1–3 aired on the same channel until 2011. From season 4 to the middle of season 7, the series aired on ]. On April 10, 2015, episode premieres returned to History. | |||
The series is inspired by the works of ], ], ], ], ], ], and ]. Producer ], writer ] and journalist ] are featured guests. | |||
==Production== | |||
The executive producer of ''Ancient Aliens'' is ], who also directed and wrote the pilot episode. ] serves as consulting producer and appeared on screen in the pilot.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://radioamerikanow.com/?p=1731|title=December 4, 2010, Giorgio Tsoukalos, "Ancient Aliens" & "Twilight of the Gods"|author=Barb|format=podcast|publisher=Radio Amerika Now|date=December 4, 2010|accessdate=June 20, 2011}}</ref> ] appeared in the pilot episode, and UFO researcher ] served as an expert consultant for the show until his death in 2010.<ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.1111/j.1556-3502.2011.52231.x|title=Obituary of C. Scott Littleton|work=Anthropology News|date=February 17, 2011|volume=52|number=2|pages=31–32}}</ref> | |||
The series has been criticized by ]s, ], ]s and other scientists for presenting and promoting ], ] and ] as fact. Episodes are frequently characterized as "far-fetched",<ref>{{Cite news |author=SH |date=2011-04-30 |title=Ancient Aliens |page=38 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph (London)}}</ref> "hugely speculative",<ref>{{Cite news |last=Clay |first=Joe |date=2011-04-30 |title=Digital Choices |page=35 |newspaper=The Times (London)}}</ref> and "expound wildly on theories suggesting that astronauts wandered the Earth freely in ancient times."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ryan |first=Andrew |date=2011-04-25 |title=Tonight on TV/Critical Picks |page=R2 |newspaper=The Globe and Mail (Canada)}}</ref> Many of the claims made by guests are not commonly accepted as fact by the scientific community.<ref name="Fritze">{{Cite journal |last=Fritze |first=Ronald H. |date=November 2009 |title=On the Perils and Pleasures of Confronting Pseudohistory |url=http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/hsp/summary/v010/10.5.fritze.html |url-status=live |journal=Historically Speaking |volume=10 |pages=2–5 |issn=1941-4188 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702214523/http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/hsp/summary/v010/10.5.fritze.html |archive-date=July 2, 2015 |access-date=June 18, 2011 |number=5}}</ref> ] debunked the series as "a slap in the face to the ingenuity of the human race".<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Debunking Ancient Aliens, Part 3 |url=https://skeptoid.com/episodes/4721 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118141846/https://skeptoid.com/episodes/4721 |archive-date=January 18, 2021 |access-date=2021-05-16 |website=Skeptoid}}</ref> | |||
Radio talk show host ] speaks in five episodes, including the pilot. Reverend ], known for describing angels in the Bible as ancient astronauts, offered his viewpoints in the pilot episode. Psychologist ], who brings a mythological perspective, appears on screen in every episode but the first pilot. ] author ] speaks frequently in most episodes. | |||
== |
== Production == | ||
Executive producer of the series was ] from 2009 until 2021. ] serves as consulting producer, and is a featured guest, appearing in every episode.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-12-04 |title=December 4, 2010, Giorgio Tsoukalos, "Ancient Aliens" & "Twilight of the Gods" |url=https://barbadamslive.com/?p=1731 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191022143850/https://barbadamslive.com/?p=1731 |archive-date=October 22, 2019 |access-date=2019-09-22 |website=Barb Adams Live}}</ref> ] researcher ] served as a producing consultant during the series development until his death in 2010.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=2011-02-17 |title=Obituary of C. Scott Littleton |journal=Anthropology News |volume=52 |pages=31–32 |doi=10.1111/j.1556-3502.2011.52231.x |number=2}}</ref> | |||
===Series overview=== | |||
{{Series overview | |||
| color0S = #FF5F5F | |||
| link0S = #Pilot (2009) | |||
| linkT0S = Pilot | |||
| episodes0S = 1 | |||
| start0S = {{Start date|2009|3|8}} | |||
''Ancient Aliens'' originally aired a two-hour documentary ] for the ] on March 8, 2009. The special was re-run several times, and is now packaged with the series as its pilot episode. ''Ancient Aliens: The Series'' aired on History from 2010 to 2011, then moved to ] where it was promoted as one of the network's flagship series until 2014. Frequent re-airings of episodes continued on the History channel, with highlights and repackaged episodes airing on ] and ]. A selection of thirteen episodes which focused on the ] was made available for syndication in the United States and Canada during the 2011–12 television season.{{Citation needed|date=May 2021}} In some foreign markets, the series still carries the ''Ancient Aliens: The Series'' title card. | |||
| color1 = #FFC0CB | |||
| link1 = #Season 1 (2010) | |||
| episodes1 = 5 | |||
| start1 = {{Start date|2010|4|20}} | |||
| end1 = {{End date|2010|5|25}} | |||
In 2015, the series returned to History after H2 was relaunched as ]. In response to complaints from disgruntled fans, Vice on TV created ].<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Capossela |first=Francesca |date=2016-08-03 |title=How Action Bronson Ended Up Getting High and Watching 'Ancient Aliens' |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/nz4gkm/traveling-stars-action-bronson-friends-ancient-aliens-interview |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519041526/https://www.vice.com/en/article/nz4gkm/traveling-stars-action-bronson-friends-ancient-aliens-interview |archive-date=May 19, 2021 |access-date=2021-05-19 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> History renewed ''Ancient Aliens'' for a fifteenth which premiered on January 24, 2020.<ref name=":1" /> Due to ] disrupting production, the season ended after the twelve completed episodes were broadcast. Production was soon restarted, and a sixteenth season began on November 13, 2020.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /> A nineteenth season began broadcast in 2023. | |||
| color2 = #87CEEB | |||
| link2 = #Season 2 (2010) | |||
| episodes2 = 10 | |||
| start2 = {{Start date|2010|10|28}} | |||
| end2 = {{End date|2010|12|30}} | |||
=== Premise and cosmology === | |||
| color3 = #98FB98 | |||
{{Expand section|date=December 2022}} | |||
| link3 = #Season 3 (2011) | |||
The series is based on and inspired by the ] ] hypothesis popularized in ''],'' by ], and ''The 12th Planet'', by ]. According to von Däniken, Sitchin, and others, ]s visited Earth in the distant past and introduced civilization, architecture, and ] to pre-historic humans. Many, if not all, of ancient man's achievements in language, mathematics, science, technology and architecture, such as ], ], ], and ], are attributed to the influence of extraterrestrials. Remnants of extraterrestrial visitations are claimed to be found in religious texts, ancient myths and legendary histories, in addition to fragments found in the texts and practices of ], ], ], and more recent religious movements such as ]. The hypothesis also holds that ancient visitations left etymological remnants in many of the world's languages, such as the root words for "]", "]", "]", and "]", or the frequent occurrence of the prefix ''anu-'' meaning "friend" or "visitor." Additionally, ] are the result of ] and/or modern humans are somehow biologically descended from ancient astronauts. | |||
| episodes3 = 16 | |||
| start3 = {{Start date|2011|7|28}} | |||
| end3 = {{End date|2011|11|23}} | |||
There is little use of precise dates in many episodes. Guests use terms such as "the remote past", "prehistoric times", "ancient times", or they refer to "our ancient ancestors" in the abstract, when discussing hypothetical historical events. There is a frequent demarcation of pre-history from the modern era used by guests: "before or after 'The Ice Age{{' "}}, or approximately ]. Many guests featured on the series, including ], and ], have claimed a sophisticated human civilization was destroyed at the end of the Ice Age. | |||
| color4 = #F0E68C | |||
| link4 = #Season 4 (2012) | |||
| episodes4 = 10 | |||
| start4 = {{Start date|2012|2|17}} | |||
| end4 = {{End date|2012|5|4}} | |||
Many of the guests who appear in the series support and have expanded on these claims in their own work creating a shared ]. | |||
| color5 = #DFB8DF | |||
| link5 = #Season 5 (2012–13) | |||
| episodes5 = 12 | |||
| start5 = {{Start date|2012|12|21}} | |||
| end5 = {{End date|2013|4|19}} | |||
=== Presentation style === | |||
| color6 = #A5D0BC | |||
The series presents all claims made by guests in an uncritical, fast-paced format. The narration frequently frames claims made by guests or their responses as rhetorical questions which are answered with "ancient alien theorists say yes," or a variation thereof. After a particular claim is introduced, and explored in some detail, the narration cuts away with, "Perhaps more evidence can be found…" Another location, archeological find, or event, with a hypothetical connection to the previous claim is introduced. ''Chariots of the Gods?'' used a similar framing device. ] described this presentation style as a ].<ref name="Black" /> | |||
| link6 = #Season 6 (2013) | |||
| episodes6 = 11 | |||
| start6 = {{Start date|2013|9|30}} | |||
| end6 = {{End date|2013|12|13}} | |||
When comments are made by guests in each episode, there is no indication made (either by the narration or on-screen) whether they are speculating on the rhetorical question made by the interviewer or narration, or if they are repeating claims made by other researchers, or if they are speaking of their own work or expertise. Geologist ] said portions of his own interviews for the series are sometimes inserted into the finished episodes in a manner which is out of context, or wholly disconnected from the questions asked of him on and off camera.<ref name=":9">{{Cite podcast |url=https://open.spotify.com/episode/1e2Yt7eQevFEmIMiD561SC |title=#1124 – Robert Schoch |website=] |host=] |date=2018-05-31 |access-date=2021-05-19 |archive-date=May 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519002424/https://open.spotify.com/episode/1e2Yt7eQevFEmIMiD561SC |url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
| color7 = #FF8040 | |||
| link7 = #Season 7 (2014) | |||
| episodes7 = 8 | |||
| start7 = {{Start date|2014|1|24}} | |||
| end7 = {{End date|2014|3|14}} | |||
Writer ], who appears in every episode, frequently concludes his comments with the exclamation, "—probably extraterrestrials!" Both Childress and Giorgio Tsoukalos repeatedly assert pre-historic peoples lacked the vocabulary to describe "technological" or "high-tech" devices (such as rockets or missiles, advanced weapons, aircraft, powered land vehicles, and medical instruments) that they supposedly witnessed, and thus referred to extraterrestrial visitors using such technology as gods. | |||
| color8 = #74DF00 | |||
| link8 = #Season 8 (2014) | |||
| episodes8 = 9 | |||
| start8 = {{Start date|2014|6|13}} | |||
| end8 = {{End date|2014|8|22}} | |||
Terms such as "ancient astronauts", "ancient aliens", "alien visitors", "extra-terrestrial beings", "ancient gods", and "otherworldly beings", are used interchangeably by guests and the narration. Guests frequently conflate the meaning of "]" and "]", or they frequently obscure or ignore the difference between ] and ], and verifiable ], ], or documented history. | |||
| color9 = #00FF80 | |||
| link9 = #Season 9 (2014–15) | |||
| episodes9 = 12 | |||
| start9 = {{Start date|2014|10|31}} | |||
| end9 = {{End date|2015|5|1}} | |||
=== Frequent guests === | |||
| color10 = #009DEC | |||
] is the featured guest in the pilot episode, in addition to being the focus of two biographical episodes: "The Von Däniken Legacy", in Season 5, and "The Alien Phenomena", in Season 13. | |||
| link10 = #Season 10 (2015) | |||
| episodes10 = 10 | |||
| start10 = {{Start date|2015|7|24}} | |||
| end10 = {{End date|2015|10|9}} | |||
In the first season, credentialed scientists and professionals, such as ] and ], respond to claims made by other guests, but their rebuttals were not rigorous. In subsequent episodes, scientists and professionals offer explanations of scientific phenomena or historical events without endorsing claims made by other guests, or they offer personal commentary. Psychologist ] appears in 123 episodes, providing explanations of myths and legends, and legendary history. Boston University associate professor ] presents his ], as well as his hypothesis concerning the age and purpose of ], in several episodes. | |||
| color11 = #000DEC | |||
| link11 = #Season 11 (2016) | |||
| episodes11 = 15 | |||
| start11 = {{Start date|2016|5|6}} | |||
| end11 = {{End date|2016|9|2}} | |||
Radio talk show host ] appears in more than 80 episodes, including the pilot episode. Reverend ], known for describing angels in the Bible as ancient astronauts, appears in the pilot episode, and his comments are repeated in several other episodes. Writers ] and ] appear in many episodes. They both express skepticism of ancient astronauts, instead discussing their own theories of ancient civilizations. Hancock repeats the statement from his work that "There is a forgotten episode in human history." ] and ] are also frequent guests.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Mills Entertainment and A+E Networks Partner To Bring The HISTORY Channel's Ancient Aliens To Live US Audiences |url=https://www.news10.com/business/press-releases/ein-presswire/600633298/mills-entertainment-and-ae-networks-partner-to-bring-the-history-channels-ancient-aliens-to-live-us-audiences/}}</ref> | |||
| color12 = #714E5E | |||
| link12 = #Season 12 (2017) | |||
| episodes12 = {{TableTBA}} | |||
| start12 = {{Start date|2017|4|28}} | |||
| end12 = {{TableTBA}} | |||
}} | |||
Segments and highlights from all first-season episodes, including the pilot, were edited into later episodes as late as Season 12, so that guests who appeared in Season 1 ostensibly appear in later seasons, although footage of their original interviews was re-used. | |||
=== |
=== Evidence === | ||
{{Expand section|date=May 2021}} | |||
{{Episode table | |||
In many episodes, little empirical evidence is offered to support the presented claims. Episodes or episode segments focus on ]s, such as: the ], ], or the Aiud object; or segments focus on alleged inconsistencies in the historical record. Guests discuss evidence which supports their claims in general or abstract terms. Some guests have alleged professionals and government have suppressed evidence of ancient mysteries, such as the in episode "The Prototypes" during which guests alleged that the ] suppressed findings of "giant humanoids" found alongside American Indian remains in the ]. | |||
|background = #FF5F5F | |||
|overall = 7 | |||
|season = 7 | |||
|title = 71 | |||
|airdate = 15 | |||
|episodes = | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 0 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 0 | |||
| Title = Chariots, Gods & Beyond | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2009|3|8}} | |||
| ShortSummary = The pilot presents the views of author Erich von Däniken who theorized that advanced beings from another world visited primitive humans, gave them the knowledge of the solar system, concepts of engineering and mathematics, and became the basis for their religions and cultures as he claims are evidenced by ancient monuments such as the ], the ] and the ] statues of ]. | |||
| LineColor = FF5F5F | |||
}} | |||
}} | |||
From Season 12 onward, some episodes have included segments in which evidence that potentially supports the ancient astronauts hypothesis is subjected to testing by credentialed scientists and medical professionals on-camera. In the episode "The Science Wars", an ] was subject to an MRI examination, and DNA was extracted and tested. In the episode "The Star Gods of Sirius" blue, porous, nitrogen-rich stones, were examined by geologists. However, none of the results produced—from the skull, the stones, or other objects examined in later episodes—proved conclusive. | |||
===Season 1 (2010)=== | |||
{{Episode table | |||
|background = #FFC0CB | |||
|overall = 7 | |||
|season = 7 | |||
|title = 71 | |||
|airdate = 15 | |||
|episodes = | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 1 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 1 | |||
| Title = The Evidence | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2010|4|20}} | |||
| ShortSummary = This episode suggests that aliens made contact with primitive humans, and cites as evidence, Indian ] texts that are suggested to describe flying machines called ]; Egyptian ]s that are said to show precision cutting work thought to be too advanced for the time; and ] writings that are said to describe a "manna machine" similar to ] ] processing of today. | |||
| LineColor = FFC0CB | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 2 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 2 | |||
| Title = The Visitors | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2010|4|27}} | |||
| ShortSummary = The episode proposes that alien visitations have occurred around the globe, and cites as evidence, claims that the ] were given galactic knowledge by a star god; the ] and ] celebrations of ] (or "gods from the sky") that are symbolized with headdress that are said to resemble modern space helmets; and that the Chinese ] was a Han leader who came to Earth on a yellow dragon which is suggested to have been a metaphor for a spaceship. | |||
| LineColor = FFC0CB | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 3 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 3 | |||
| Title = The Mission | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2010|5|4}} | |||
| ShortSummary = This episode proposes that extraterrestrials have a mission plan for Earth and mankind, and cites as evidence, ] tablets that allegedly describe the ] as a race of creatures that came to Earth to mine gold; the purpose of ]; the mile-long "band of holes" near ]; Egyptian ]s that are said to depict hybrid creatures that are part man/part animal; and ]s and ]s that are said to contain messages from aliens. | |||
| LineColor = FFC0CB | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 4 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 4 | |||
| Title = Closer Encounters | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2010|5|18}} | |||
| ShortSummary = This episode suggests that alien encounters have been documented in various historical texts, citing as evidence, the 13th-century book '']'' which describes an incident in ], England ascribed to UFOs; the log entries of ] that report lights in the sky; stories of cigar-shaped craft allegedly seen over Europe during the ]; and ] that supposedly depicts disc-shaped objects floating in the heavens. | |||
| LineColor = FFC0CB | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 5 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 5 | |||
| Title = The Return | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2010|5|25}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Perhaps aliens have contacted humans in the 20th century. | |||
| LineColor = FFC0CB | |||
}} | |||
}} | |||
=== |
=== Other claims === | ||
Other claims linked to the ancient astronauts hypothesis, such as ], ]s, the ] and ], ], and ], feature prominently in many episodes. Guests have presented other unproven historical and pseudoscientific hypotheses related to, or dependent upon an understanding of: ] and other lost civilizations, as described in works by ] and ]; or ]s as originally described by ], or more recent interpretations; ] as promoted by ]; various forms of Christian and Hindu ], or ] promoted by various religious movements; mythical elements of the ], ], and ]; and various ]s. | |||
{{Episode table | |||
|background = #87CEEB | |||
|overall = 7 | |||
|season = 7 | |||
|title = 71 | |||
|airdate = 15 | |||
|episodes = | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 6 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 1 | |||
| Title = Mysterious Places | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2010|10|28}} | |||
| ShortSummary = This episode examines locations around the Earth that are proposed "hot spots" of UFO activity, such as the ]; ]'s "]", an area of land said to naturally disrupt radio signals; the portal-like structure at ]'s Puerta de Hayu Marca; and the curious rock formations of the ] Plateau. | |||
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}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 7 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 2 | |||
| Title = Gods and Aliens | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2010|11|4}} | |||
| ShortSummary = This episode looks at legends about powerful gods and fearsome monsters that are said to share similarities even though these legends are found in different cultures separated by vast distances; this episode also suggests that these legends may be eyewitness accounts of alien visitations. Also discussed are tales of gods interacting with humans, imparting wisdom and technology and impregnating women to create demigods, who are supposedly the offspring of human/alien unions. | |||
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}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 8 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 3 | |||
| Title = Underwater Worlds | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2010|11|11}} | |||
| ShortSummary = This episode suggests that various underwater structures and ruins said to have been found around the globe may have been used by extraterrestrials, such as the temple ruins found under ] in Peru, the geometric structures of ] off the coast of Japan, and ancient Indian texts that allegedly describe other sunken cities yet to be discovered. | |||
| LineColor = 87CEEB | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 9 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 4 | |||
| Title = Underground Aliens | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2010|11|18}} | |||
| ShortSummary = This episode hypothesizes that various underground places may have been extraterrestrial lairs, such as a lost cave in ] said to hold metal tablets containing alien knowledge, the underground city of ] in Turkey, ] legends of "inner-earth" beings, and rumors of a secret U.S. military base supposedly built alongside aliens inside the Archuleta Mesa near ]. | |||
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}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 10 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 5 | |||
| Title = Aliens and the Third Reich | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2010|11|25}} | |||
| ShortSummary = This episode speculates that ] had experimented with advanced alien technology and built flying machines, such as the ] and the ] (The Bell), and rumors that some of this technology may have made its way to the United States and helped jumpstart the ]. | |||
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}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 11 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 6 | |||
| Title = Alien Tech | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2010|12|2}} | |||
| ShortSummary = This episode proposes that some advanced weapon technologies currently in development, such as laser and sonic weapons, are rediscovered technologies used by advanced beings in the past. Also discussed are theories that aliens provided gravity manipulation devices to help man construct colossal stone structures around the world. | |||
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}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 12 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 7 | |||
| Title = Angels and Aliens | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2010|12|9}} | |||
| ShortSummary = This episode looks at various stories of angelic visitations that to some ancient astronaut theorists read more like alien encounters than divine appearances, and suggests they are not supernatural beings, but visitors from distant planets. | |||
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}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 13 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 8 | |||
| Title = Unexplained Structures | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2010|12|16}} | |||
| ShortSummary = This episode suggests that various sites around the world; such as ] in Turkey; the ]n ruins of ] in Peru; the ] of France; and ] in Armenia, show construction techniques and mathematical concepts that were not believed to have been known at the time, and that this knowledge was gained from alien visitors. | |||
| LineColor = 87CEEB | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 14 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 9 | |||
| Title = Alien Devastations | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2010|12|23}} | |||
| ShortSummary = This episode surmises that aliens may have caused various disasters, as depicted in the Bible and other texts, or even tried to warn man of them; such as Noah of the Great Flood. Also proposed is that some disasters ushered changes in human evolution and that our leaps in technology over the centuries were achieved with alien help. | |||
| LineColor = 87CEEB | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 15 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 10 | |||
| Title = Alien Contacts<!-- Also listed for a time as "Alien Messengers" --> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2010|12|30}} | |||
| ShortSummary = This episode proposes that extraterrestrials may have contacted various humans throughout history, such as ] and ], to help guide and inspire them to achieve great things; or to pass on important messages for humanity; such as a supposed binary message given to a UFO-contactee during the 1980 ] who believes it is the coordinates to a mythical island called ]. | |||
| LineColor = 87CEEB | |||
}} | |||
}} | |||
Other concepts explored include: ], ], and various ] phenomena. Guests discuss various forms of ], and refer to other featured guests or historical figures as catastrophists. In various episodes, guests have claimed prominent historical figures were either influenced by or were possibly "extra-terrestrial" or "otherworldly beings." | |||
===Season 3 (2011)=== | |||
{{Episode table | |||
|background = #98FB98 | |||
|overall = 7 | |||
|season = 7 | |||
|title = 71 | |||
|airdate = 15 | |||
|episodes = | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 16 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 1 | |||
| Title = Aliens and the Old West | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2011|7|28}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Opening with clips from the 2011 film '']'', this episode looks at ] legends that may have involved ET contact, such as the ] where a local cemetery claims to hold a body from an 1897 UFO crash; Native American legends surrounding the ] in ]; reports of a ] that periodically emerged from California's ], and a story of ranchers shooting at "metallic birds" near ]. | |||
| LineColor = 98FB98 | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 17 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 2 | |||
| Title = Aliens and Monsters | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2011|8|4}} | |||
| ShortSummary = This episode examines modern-day genetic engineering, cloning and hybridization technology, and suggests that such technology could have been used by ancient aliens in the past to manipulate mankind and the environment. Also theorized are that the legends of creatures, such as the ] and ], and humanoids, such as the ] and ], may have been encounters with beings created through alien animal/human hybrid experimentation. | |||
| LineColor = 98FB98 | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 18 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 3 | |||
| Title = Aliens and Sacred Places | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2011|8|11}} | |||
| ShortSummary = This episode suggests that some of mankind's most sacred places were points of contact by alien beings. Examples given are Jerusalem's ] and ]; the ] stone at the Islam shrine at Mecca; the temples of the ] in India; the churches of ], Ethiopia that are carved out of rock; and the ancient city of ] in Lebanon which was allegedly built with a "landing pad" of monolithic rock. | |||
| LineColor = 98FB98 | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 19 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 4 | |||
| Title = Aliens and Temples of Gold | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2011|8|18}} | |||
| ShortSummary = This episode contends that aliens came to Earth to mine gold. Examined are the legends of ] such as ] and ]; Lake Puray in Peru where UFO sightings may be linked to gold beneath the lake; the gold-creating device called the ]; the ] beneath the ], (suggested to be a repository of ancient knowledge); a Medieval church in the French village of ] that may hold the secrets of ]; and Scotland's ] where a helix-shaped pillar, (suggested to represent DNA), may be the hiding place of the Holy Grail. | |||
| LineColor = 98FB98 | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 20 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 5 | |||
| Title = Aliens and Mysterious Rituals | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2011|8|25}} | |||
| ShortSummary = This episode proposes that various ancient sites and the rituals performed there were not to praise mythical gods, but to reenact contact and communication with alien beings. Examples given are the Mayan temple of ]; the Celtic ]; the ceremonies of the ] of Brazil that involve a dancer dressed in an outfit that resembles a spacesuit; Medieval coronation ceremonies and the symbolic meanings of thrones, crowns and scepters as communication devices to the heavens; Native American and Shamanistic chants and prayers; and the ritual meanings of the ]. | |||
| LineColor = 98FB98 | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 21 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 6 | |||
| Title = Aliens and Ancient Engineers | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2011|9|1}} | |||
| ShortSummary = This episode surmises that several ancient sites were built with help from aliens. Examples given are the ruins of ] in Peru, (an Inca city believed built atop a far older and more advanced-built fortress); the pyramids of ] in Mexico, (which use heat and radiation shielding ] in their engineering); the temples of ] in India, (suggested to have been designed to tap into cosmic energy); the temples of ] in Egypt, (which show symmetrical and precision sculpting believed unobtainable by primitive hand tools); and the ancient ruins on ], (whose designs seems to have incorporated an acoustic energy technology). | |||
| LineColor = 98FB98 | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 22 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 7 | |||
| Title = Aliens, Plagues and Epidemics | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2011|9|8}} | |||
| ShortSummary = This episode suggests that some plagues and diseases were brought on by pathogens of extraterrestrial origin. Examples given are sudden pandemics such as the ], the ], the ] and the Black Plague, which were accompanied by reports of unusual celestial phenomena, and the appearance of strange creatures and objects in the sky; ancient carvings of figures dressed in what are suggested to be ]s; unexplained illnesses that have appeared after meteor impacts, NASA experiments with bacteria and ] that can survive in the extreme conditions of space; and the recent appearance of unusual medical conditions such as ]. | |||
| LineColor = 98FB98 | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 23 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 8 | |||
| Title = Aliens and Lost Worlds | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2011|9|15}} | |||
| ShortSummary = This episode postulates that various past civilizations were ruled by otherworldly beings. Examined are carvings in the Mayan city of ] that are suggested to depict kings dressed in spacesuits; the Greek and Persian temples of ] in Turkey, constructed by ] who some believe had advanced knowledge of astronomy and access to "magical" technology; the Nazca people of Peru who elongated their skulls to possibly mimic beings they encountered; the ] statues of Easter Island that may have been erected with anti-gravity technology, and the Garden of Eden which may have been an alien laboratory for the creation of mankind. | |||
| LineColor = 98FB98 | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 24 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 9 | |||
| Title = Aliens and Deadly Weapons | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2011|9|22}} | |||
| ShortSummary = This episode suggests that the development of various weapons throughout history may have been guided by aliens. Examined are ancient legends that speak of fire and the secrets of metalworking as gifts from the gods; stories of divine weapons such as ] as possibly powered by an alien source; the mystery of ] as a gift from angels for the ]; the development of the complicated chemistry of gunpowder by the ancient Chinese; the writings of the Hindu ] describing weapons reminiscent of guided rockets, beam weapons and nuclear devices used by the gods; and the ]n tales of ] who wielded a blazing sword reminiscent of the science-fictional ]. | |||
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}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 25 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 10 | |||
| Title = Aliens and Evil Places | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2011|9|28}} | |||
| ShortSummary = This episode examines various places on Earth that are associated with evil and death, and suggests that they may have otherworldly connections, such as being dumping grounds for dangerous alien waste material or containing portals to other realms. Featured are Japan's ] "Suicide Forest" near ], where countless people have gone to die; Russia's remote ] "Mountain of Death" where in 1959, nine hikers were found burned and mutilated by an undetermined cause; Australia's ] where people have mysteriously disappeared in the area, and the "Valley of the Dead" at ], Russia, where unexplained deaths and illnesses are attributed to a possible underground alien base. | |||
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}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 26 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 11 | |||
| Title = Aliens and The Founding Fathers | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2011|10|5}} | |||
| ShortSummary = This episode suggests that some of the philosophies, and alleged secret symbolism surrounding the founding of the United States, have connections to extraterrestrials. Examined are ]'s writings on the "];" stories that ] had an alien visitation at ]; ]'s report of a UFO sighting; the ] interest in ancient cultures and astronomy, and the possible influence it all had in the architecture and layout of ]. | |||
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}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 27 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 12 | |||
| Title = Aliens and Deadly Cults | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2011|10|12}} | |||
| ShortSummary = This episode examines various cults around the world that have committed horrific acts and suggests that some may have been influenced by aliens with a sinister agenda. Examined are groups who claimed to receive messages from ETs such as the suicidal ] and the ]; the ] whose leader murdered 750 followers; the human sacrifice murders of ] who claimed worship of the "trickster god" ]; the mass-murderous ] cult of India; the Christian ] suicide-sect; Aztec human sacrifice rituals, and the theory that humans were hard-wired through genetic manipulation to worship alien beings as gods. | |||
| LineColor = 98FB98 | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 28 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 13 | |||
| Title = Aliens and the Secret Code | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2011|10|19}} | |||
| ShortSummary = This episode theorizes that various megalithic structures around the Earth are built upon a "world grid" of electromagnetic energy and that this power may have been tapped for travel and communication. It also suggests that there are hidden messages within these sites that show they have connections to one another. Featured are ] and Easter Island, (sites separated by 2000 miles of ocean, but having similar architecture); the Pyramids at Giza, ], and ancient Hopi cities (all three configured to resemble ]); the straight line alignments of sites such as ], ] and Giza; and stone carvings at ] (from 3500 BC) accurately calculating the circumference of the Earth and ]. | |||
| LineColor = 98FB98 | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 29 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 14 | |||
| Title = Aliens and the Undead | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2011|10|26}} | |||
| ShortSummary = This episode discusses the possibility of life after death, the beliefs associated with it in various cultures and raises the question of whether certain rituals can be attributed to ancient aliens. | |||
| LineColor = 98FB98 | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 30 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 15 | |||
| Title = Aliens, Gods and Heroes | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2011|11|16}} | |||
| ShortSummary = This episode looks into various legends about gods and heroes and surmises that the existence of such beings was not only possible, but that they were also beings of extraterrestrial origin. | |||
| LineColor = 98FB98 | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 31 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 16 | |||
| Title = Aliens and the Creation of Man | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2011|11|23}} | |||
| ShortSummary = This episode asks why humans are so different from other lifeforms on Earth, and proposes that advances in human evolution were the work of interstellar beings. | |||
| LineColor = 98FB98 | |||
}} | |||
}} | |||
Guests have also discussed unrelated ] claims, such as: ]s coexisting with ]s until a recent ] event, ] and ]s, as well as ], ], and the ]. ] appears in several episodes which explore alien abduction, animal mutilation, and conspiracies involving military installations on Antarctica. The 2013 ] features prominently in numerous episodes, such as Season 14's "The Nuclear Agenda". | |||
===Season 4 (2012)=== | |||
{{Episode table | |||
|background = #F0E68C | |||
|overall = 7 | |||
|season = 7 | |||
|title = 71 | |||
|airdate = 15 | |||
|episodes = | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 32 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 1 | |||
| Title = The Mayan Conspiracy | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2012|2|17}} | |||
| ShortSummary = This episode suggests that the ancient Maya were given their knowledge of mathematics and astronomy by extraterrestrials. It alleges advanced city engineering despite the use of metal tools and the wheel; knowledge of celestial events (such as ]) thousands of years before the culture began; and a complex writing system only understood by the rulers and clerics among them. Featured artifacts include the sarcophagus lid of ]'s ], who is said to be piloting a rocket ship; the ] ] suggested to represent African people in flight helmets; and the feathered serpent god ] possibly depicted elsewhere in the world as the ] and ]. | |||
| LineColor = F0E68C | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 33 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 2 | |||
| Title = The Doomsday Prophecies | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2012|2|17}} | |||
| ShortSummary = This episode looks at the Maya civilization and their advanced knowledge of mathematics and timekeeping. It presents theories as to why the Maya backdated the 5125-year long-count calendar to 3114 BC (over 3,000 years before their civilization began) and what could happen after it ends December 21, 2012. Discussed are two artifacts, ] monument six and a ] mud brick, that may suggest the return of a star god Bolon Yokte; the ] creation myths; the ] manuscripts; and the monuments of ] (which is suggested to have been built to mimic the ] cluster); and ], dedicated to the return of the Maya god ]. | |||
| LineColor = F0E68C | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 34 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 3 | |||
| Title = The Greys | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2012|2|24}} | |||
| ShortSummary = This episode focuses upon the so-called ], alleged alien beings characterized as having pale skin and big round heads with large black eyes, and connected within the last century to supposed alien abductions and UFO-related cases such as the ]. It also proposes that the Greys may have contacted human cultures in the distant past, such as the Hopi Indians and the ]ians, and these events have been preserved in various ancient writings, sculptures and cave paintings. | |||
| LineColor = F0E68C | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 35 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 4 | |||
| Title = Aliens and Mega-Disasters | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2012|3|2}} | |||
| ShortSummary = This episode looks at various accounts of ancient civilizations that were destroyed by natural disasters such as volcanoes, earthquakes, and floods and proposes that otherworldly beings may have had a hand in these catastrophic events. | |||
| LineColor = F0E68C | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 36 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 5 | |||
| Title = The NASA Connection | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2012|3|9}} | |||
| ShortSummary = This episode delves into various reports by former NASA scientists and astronauts, as well as classified government files that purportedly suggest the space agency had alien contact in both the recent and ancient past. | |||
| LineColor = F0E68C | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 37 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 6 | |||
| Title = The Mystery of Puma Punku | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2012|3|16}} | |||
| ShortSummary = This episode investigates the ruins of ] in Bolivia, where an ancient civilization constructed sophisticated and intricately carved blocks that interlock. Ancient alien theorists suggest the site was not built and inhabited by humans, but by advanced extraterrestrials. | |||
| LineColor = F0E68C | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 38 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 7 | |||
| Title = Aliens and Bigfoot | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2012|3|23}} | |||
| ShortSummary = This episode examines the legends of ], a creature described as half-man/half-ape that allegedly stalks remote woodlands around the world, and suggests the creature may have connections to an alien species that may have visited Earth. Also suggested are that the legends of supernatural giants such as the Bible's ], the hybrid ], the Sumerian ], are tales of human interaction with such creatures. | |||
| LineColor = F0E68C | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 39 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 8 | |||
| Title = The Da Vinci Conspiracy | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2012|4|06}} | |||
| ShortSummary = This episode examines some of the paintings, sketches and journals of legendary artist and engineer ], and alleges that some of his work may have been inspired by alien technology he may have encountered. Discussed are the possibility of hidden messages within his work such as parts of his paintings that disappear under x-ray scans; his use of ] to make his notes illegible to prying eyes; his sketches of inhuman and monstrous creatures, and what Da Vinci might have been doing when he seemingly disappeared for two years after finding a mysterious cave. | |||
| LineColor = F0E68C | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 40 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 9 | |||
| Title = The Time Travelers | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2012|4|27}} | |||
| ShortSummary = This episode suggests that some alleged alien encounters may be of beings from Earth's future traveling in ] and that these beings visited Earth's distant past. Examined are the rumors of the Nazi "]" time travel machine; the advanced cosmic knowledge of the ] and their similarities to the ancient Sumerians; stories of time travel in the Bible and other ancient texts; and actual space/time experiments that could one day open the door for possible time travel technology. | |||
| LineColor = F0E68C | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 41 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 10 | |||
| Title = Aliens and Dinosaurs | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2012|5|4}} | |||
| ShortSummary = This episode suggests that man and dinosaurs may have coexisted in ancient times and past cultures had knowledge of prehistoric animals long before the study of ]. Examined is a carving found in ] that is suggested to be a depiction of a ]; the thousands of ] of Peru that depict alleged human/dinosaur interaction; and fossils from ] suggested to contain both dinosaur and human footprints. Also suggested is the idea that dinosaurs may have been wiped out, not by an asteroid impact, but by alien extermination so that humans could become the dominant species on Earth. | |||
| LineColor = F0E68C | |||
}} | |||
}} | |||
Prior to December 2012, several episodes explored facets of the 2012 Mayan doomsday prophecy. The episodes "The Maya Conspiracy" and "The Doomsday Prophecies", which aired in February 2012, explored the ] and its relation to the construction of ], the god ], in addition to links between the ] and the ancient astronaut hypothesis. Episodes focusing on ] broadcast after 2012 make no mention of the ]. In the episode "The God Particle", guests linked the ] to the discovery of the ].<ref>{{Cite episode |title=The God Particle |series=Ancient Aliens |network=] |season=8 |number=7 |date=2014-08-08 |minutes=25:30}}</ref> | |||
===Season 5 (2012–13)=== | |||
{{Episode table | |||
|background = #DFB8DF | |||
|overall = 7 | |||
|season = 7 | |||
|title = 71 | |||
|airdate = 15 | |||
|episodes = | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 42 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 1 | |||
| Title = Secrets of the Pyramids | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2012|12|21}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss ancient pyramidal structures; in Bosnia, Egypt, Russia & throughout ]. | |||
| LineColor = DFB8DF | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 43 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 2 | |||
| Title = Aliens and Cover Ups | |||
| RTitle = <ref>{{cite web|url=http://tv.msn.com/tv/episode/ancient-aliens/aliens-and-cover-ups|title=Aliens and Cover Ups|work=Ancient Aliens: Episode Info|publisher=]|accessdate=December 23, 2012}}</ref> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2012|12|28}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss how extraterrestrials might have hidden evidence of their visits. | |||
| LineColor = DFB8DF | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 44 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 3 | |||
| Title = Alien Power Plants | |||
| RTitle = <ref>{{cite web|url=http://tv.msn.com/tv/episode/ancient-aliens/alien-power-plants|title=Alien Power Plants|work=Ancient Aliens: Episode Info|publisher=]|accessdate=December 23, 2012}}</ref> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2013|1|4}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists question the accomplishments of ancient man without modern technology. | |||
| LineColor = DFB8DF | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 45 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 4 | |||
| Title = Destination Orion | |||
| RTitle = <ref>{{cite web|url=http://tv.msn.com/tv/episode/ancient-aliens/destination-orion|title=Destination Orion|work=Ancient Aliens: Episode Info|publisher=]|accessdate=December 23, 2012}}</ref> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2013|1|11}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists speculate about why ancient civilizations focused on the ]. | |||
| LineColor = DFB8DF | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 46 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 5 | |||
| Title = The Einstein Factor | |||
| RTitle = <ref>{{cite web|url=http://tv.msn.com/tv/episode/ancient-aliens/the-einstein-factor|title=The Einstein Factor|work=Ancient Aliens: Episode Info|publisher=]|accessdate=December 23, 2012}}</ref> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2013|1|18}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Theorists talk about potential extraterrestrial connections to famous historical figures committed to science such as ], ], ], ] and ]. | |||
| LineColor = DFB8DF | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 47 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 6 | |||
| Title = Secrets of the Tombs | |||
| RTitle = <ref>{{cite web|url=http://tv.msn.com/tv/episode/ancient-aliens/secrets-of-the-tombs|title=Secrets of the Tombs|work=Ancient Aliens: Episode Info|publisher=]|accessdate=December 23, 2012}}</ref> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2013|1|25}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists suggest that an extraterrestrial connection links tombs in Egypt, China, and other locations. | |||
| LineColor = DFB8DF | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 48 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 7 | |||
| Title = Prophets and Prophecies | |||
| RTitle = <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.history.com/shows/ancient-aliens/episodes/season-5#slide-6|title=Prophets and Prophecies|work=Ancient Aliens – Season 5 Episode Guide|publisher=]|accessdate=January 28, 2013}}</ref> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2013|2|8}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss extraterrestrial-based prophecies and prophets, including some of the world's deadliest ]s. | |||
| LineColor = DFB8DF | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 49 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 8 | |||
| Title = Beyond Nazca | |||
| RTitle = <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.history.com/shows/ancient-aliens/episodes/season-5#slide-7|title=The Mystery of Nazca|work=Ancient Aliens – Season 5 Episode Guide|publisher=]|accessdate=January 28, 2013}}</ref> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2013|2|15}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss extraterrestrial matter possibly contributing to ]. | |||
| LineColor = DFB8DF | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 50 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 9 | |||
| Title = <!-- The title of this episode, as aired, is "Strange Abductions," not "Ancient Abductions." -->Strange Abductions | |||
| RTitle = <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.history.com/shows/ancient-aliens/episodes/season-5#slide-8|title=Ancient Abductions|work=Ancient Aliens – Season 5 Episode Guide|publisher=]|accessdate=February 14, 2013}}</ref> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2013|2|22}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss extraterrestrial-linked disappearances. | |||
| LineColor = DFB8DF | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 51 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 10 | |||
| Title = The Von Daniken Legacy | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2013|4|5}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss the legacy of ]'s '']''. | |||
| LineColor = DFB8DF | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 52 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 11 | |||
| Title = The Viking Gods | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2013|4|12}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss the possibility of alien contact with the ]. | |||
| LineColor = DFB8DF | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 53 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 12 | |||
| Title = The Monoliths | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2013|4|19}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss ], ] and various monoliths. | |||
| LineColor = DFB8DF | |||
}} | |||
}} | |||
== |
== Episodes == | ||
{{Main|List of Ancient Aliens episodes}} | |||
{{Episode table | |||
{{:List of Ancient Aliens episodes}} | |||
|background = #A5D0BC | |||
|overall = 7 | |||
|season = 7 | |||
|title = 71 | |||
|airdate = 15 | |||
|episodes = | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 54 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 1 | |||
| Title = The Power of Three | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2013|9|30}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss the ], ] and the common occurrence of the number ] in ancient texts. | |||
| LineColor = A5D0BC | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 55 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 2 | |||
| Title = The Crystal Skulls | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=hist_eps /> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2013|10|7}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss the worldwide phenomena of the ]. | |||
| LineColor = A5D0BC | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 56 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 3 | |||
| Title = The Anunnaki Connection | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=hist_eps /> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2013|10|14}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss a possible connection between extraterrestrials and the ] deities known as the ]. | |||
| LineColor = A5D0BC | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 57 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 4 | |||
| Title = Magic of the Gods | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=hist_eps /> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2013|10|21}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss ], ], and extraterrestrials. | |||
| LineColor = A5D0BC | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 58 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 5 | |||
| Title = The Satan Conspiracy | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=hist_eps /> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2013|10|28}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss ] and the worldwide concept of a ] figure. | |||
| LineColor = A5D0BC | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 59 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 6 | |||
| Title = Alien Operations | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=hist_eps /> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2013|11|01}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss ], ], ] and alien technology. | |||
| LineColor = A5D0BC | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 60 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 7 | |||
| Title = Emperors, Kings and Pharaohs | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=hist_eps /> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2013|11|08}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss historical ] possible relationship to extraterrestrials. | |||
| LineColor = A5D0BC | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 61 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 8 | |||
| Title = Mysterious Relics | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=hist_eps /> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2013|11|15}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss mythic powers attributed to worldwide religious ]. | |||
| LineColor = A5D0BC | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 62 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 9 | |||
| Title = Aliens and Forbidden Islands | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=hist_eps /> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2013|11|29}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss mysterious occurrences, including reported alien visitation, on remote ]. | |||
| LineColor = A5D0BC | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 63 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 10 | |||
| Title = Aliens and The Lost Ark | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=hist_eps /> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2013|12|6}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss ] as misunderstood technology. | |||
| LineColor = A5D0BC | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 64 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 11 | |||
| Title = Aliens and Mysterious Mountains | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=hist_eps /> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2013|12|13}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss ], the ] of ], the ] Apu and aliens. | |||
| LineColor = A5D0BC | |||
}} | |||
}} | |||
== |
== Reception == | ||
The program had 1.676 million viewers in late October 2010,<ref>{{Cite web |title=TV Ratings for October 29, 2010 |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2010/10/29/thursday-cable-ratings-%e2%80%98project-runway%e2%80%99-finale-up-jersey-shore-reunion-sunny-the-league-first-48-much-more/70170 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101121133702/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2010/10/29/thursday-cable-ratings-%E2%80%98project-runway%E2%80%99-finale-up-jersey-shore-reunion-sunny-the-league-first-48-much-more/70170 |archive-date=2010-11-21 |website=TV By the Numbers}}</ref> {{Nowrap|2.034 million viewers}} in mid-December (for the "Unexplained Structures" episode),<ref>{{Cite web |title=TV Ratings for December 17, 2010 |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2010/12/17/thursday-cable-ratings-49erschargers-tops-burn-notice-goes-out-on-high-note-real-housewives-always-sunny-more/75938 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101219141214/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2010/12/17/thursday-cable-ratings-49erschargers-tops-burn-notice-goes-out-on-high-note-real-housewives-always-sunny-more/75938 |archive-date=2010-12-19 |website=TV By the Numbers}}</ref> and in late-January 2011 the series had {{nowrap|1.309 million viewers.}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=TV Ratings for January 27, 2011 |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/01/27/wednesday-cable-ratings-storage-wars-dog-the-bounty-hunter-top-cable-hot-in-cleveland-sheds-a-chunk-of-viewers/80516 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110130020154/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/01/27/wednesday-cable-ratings-storage-wars-dog-the-bounty-hunter-top-cable-hot-in-cleveland-sheds-a-chunk-of-viewers/80516 |archive-date=2011-01-30 |website=TV By the Numbers}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=TV Ratings for January 28th, 2011 |url=http://insidetvratings.com/2011/01/28/nielsen-tv-rating/wednesday-cable-tv-ratings-hot-in-cleveland-retired-at-35-dog-the-bounty-hunter-celebrity-rehab |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110920234525/http://insidetvratings.com/2011/01/28/nielsen-tv-rating/wednesday-cable-tv-ratings-hot-in-cleveland-retired-at-35-dog-the-bounty-hunter-celebrity-rehab/ |archive-date=2011-09-20 |access-date=2011-08-08 |website=Inside TV Ratings}}</ref> | |||
{{Episode table | |||
|background = #FF8040 | |||
|overall = 7 | |||
|season = 7 | |||
|title = 71 | |||
|airdate = 15 | |||
|episodes = | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 65 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 1 | |||
| Title = Aliens and Stargates | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=hist_eps /> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2014|01|24}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss aliens traveling through ] and space travel. | |||
| LineColor = FF8040 | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 66 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 2 | |||
| Title = Aliens in America | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=hist_eps /> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2014|01|31}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss alien influence in the ]. | |||
| LineColor = FF8040 | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 67 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 3 | |||
| Title = The Star Children | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=hist_eps /> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2014|02|07}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss the ], ] and the reported Black Eyed Kids. | |||
| LineColor = FF8040 | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 68 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 4 | |||
| Title = Treasures of the Gods | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=tfc /> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2014|2|14}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss mythic ancient treasure and curses including ], lost ] treasure, and the ]. | |||
| LineColor = FF8040 | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 69 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 5 | |||
| Title = Aliens and the Red Planet | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=tfc /> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2014|2|21}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss the possibility that ancient alien civilizations existed on the planet ], and speculate that features photographed by probes may be ruins of ancient structures built by these aliens. | |||
| LineColor = FF8040 | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 70 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 6 | |||
| Title = The Shamans | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=tfc /> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2014|2|28}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss the possibility that beings contacted by ] in altered states of consciousness are actually extraterrestrials. | |||
| LineColor = FF8040 | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 71 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 7 | |||
| Title = Aliens and Insects | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=tfc /> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2014|3|07}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss the possibility that some aliens may be insect-like, and argue that such beings serve as inspirations for many cultures' gods and legendary figures. | |||
| LineColor = FF8040 | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 72 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 8 | |||
| Title = Alien Breeders | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=tfc /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.locatetv.com/tv/ancient-aliens/season-6/8527394|website=www.LocateTV.com|title=LocateTV|accessdate=March 12, 2014}}</ref> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2014|3|14}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss the possibility that aliens influenced the course of human evolution, and argue that genetic manipulation of humans by aliens allowed for civilization to arise. | |||
| LineColor = FF8040 | |||
}} | |||
}} | |||
=== |
=== Critical response === | ||
The series has been criticized by ]s, ], ]s and other scientists for presenting and promoting ], ] and ] as fact. Episodes are frequently characterized as "far-fetched",<ref>{{Cite news |author=SH |date=2011-04-30 |title=Ancient Aliens |page=38 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph (London)}}</ref> "hugely speculative",<ref>{{Cite news |last=Clay |first=Joe |date=2011-04-30 |title=Digital Choices |page=35 |newspaper=The Times (London)}}</ref> and "expound wildly on theories suggesting that astronauts wandered the Earth freely in ancient times."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ryan |first=Andrew |date=2011-04-25 |title=Tonight on TV/Critical Picks |page=R2 |newspaper=The Globe and Mail (Canada)}}</ref> Many of the claims made by guests are not commonly accepted as fact by the scientific community.<ref name="Fritze">{{Cite journal |last=Fritze |first=Ronald H. |date=November 2009 |title=On the Perils and Pleasures of Confronting Pseudohistory |url=http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/hsp/summary/v010/10.5.fritze.html |url-status=live |journal=Historically Speaking |volume=10 |pages=2–5 |issn=1941-4188 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702214523/http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/hsp/summary/v010/10.5.fritze.html |archive-date=July 2, 2015 |access-date=June 18, 2011 |number=5}}</ref> In 2009, history professor ] observed that pseudoscience has a periodic popularity in the U.S.:<ref name="Fritze" /><ref name="Rorotoko">{{Cite web |last=Fritze |first=Ronald |date=2009-07-08 |title=Ronald H. Fritze, On his book Invented Knowledge: False History, Fake Science and Pseudo-Religions, Cover Interview |url=http://rorotoko.com/interview/20090708_fritze_ronald_invented_knowledge_false_history_fake_science_pseudo/?page=4 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191228085921/http://rorotoko.com/interview/20090708_fritze_ronald_invented_knowledge_false_history_fake_science_pseudo/?page=4 |archive-date=December 28, 2019 |access-date=2012-07-17 |website=Rorotoko.com}}</ref> | |||
{{Episode table | |||
{{Blockquote|text=In a pop culture with a short memory and a voracious appetite, aliens and pyramids and lost civilizations are recycled like fashions.}} | |||
|background = #74DF00 | |||
|overall = 7 | |||
|season = 7 | |||
|title = 71 | |||
|airdate = 15 | |||
|episodes = | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 73 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 1 | |||
| Title = Alien Transports | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=tfc /><ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web|url=http://www.history.com/shows/ancient-aliens/episodes/season-6|website=www.History.com|title=Ancient Aliens Episode Guide - Season 6 - History.com|accessdate=July 24, 2014}}</ref> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2014|6|13}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss the possibility that modern transportation systems are influenced by aliens who visited Earth in the remote, and not-so-remote past. | |||
| LineColor = 74DF00 | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 74 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 2 | |||
| Title = Mysterious Structures | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=tfc /><ref name="ReferenceA"/> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2014|6|20}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss the possibility that some of Earth's mysterious structures and monoliths are the work of aliens in the remote past. | |||
| LineColor = 74DF00 | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 75 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 3 | |||
| Title = Mysterious Devices | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=tfc /><ref name="ReferenceA"/> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2014|6|27}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss the mysterious objects which may have been the technology of, or have been influenced by the technology of, alien gods who visited us in the past. | |||
| LineColor = 74DF00 | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 76 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 4 | |||
| Title = Faces of the Gods | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=tfc /> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2014|7|25}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss the possibility that many tales of angels and giants in the ancient world were inspired by extraterrestrial visits and experimentation on human DNA. | |||
'''Note''': This was a special episode that was aired immediately after a ]. | |||
| LineColor = 74DF00 | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 77 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 5 | |||
| Title = The Reptilians | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=tfc /> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2014|7|25}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss the possibility that many mythological figures in ancient cultures were inspired by actual reptile-like aliens, some of which may have bred with humans. | |||
| LineColor = 74DF00 | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 78 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 6 | |||
| Title = The Tesla Experiment | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=tfc/> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2014|8|01}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss the possibility that the great technological developments made by inventor Nikola Tesla were inspired by extraterrestrials. | |||
| LineColor = 74DF00 | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 79 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 7 | |||
| Title = The God Particle | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=tfc/> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2014|8|08}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss the possibility that the creation of the Large Hadron Collider was foretold in ancient sources that were inspired by aliens. | |||
| LineColor = 74DF00 | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 80 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 8 | |||
| Title = Alien Encounters | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=tfc/> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2014|8|15}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss the possibility that aliens set into motion some of the most significant turning points in human history and have ultimate control over our destiny. | |||
| LineColor = 74DF00 | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 81 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 9 | |||
| Title = Aliens and Superheroes | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=tfc/> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2014|8|22}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss the possibility that legends of super-powered beings in ancient mythologies, as well as stories of modern superheroes, originate from retellings of people's encounters with aliens in the distant past. | |||
| LineColor = 74DF00 | |||
}} | |||
}} | |||
Brad Lockwood of ''Forbes'' characterized ''Ancient Aliens'' as an example of History's ] toward "programs devoted to monsters, aliens, and conspiracies". He added that, "''Ancient Aliens'' defies all ability to suspend disbelief for the sake of entertainment."<ref name="Forbes" /> Alex Knapp, also of ''Forbes'', cited ] Keith Fitzpatrick-Matthews' rebuke of History for treating "nonsense as though it were fact."<ref name="Forbes2">{{Cite web |last1=Knapp |first1=Alex |date=2011-09-19 |title=An Archaeologist Watches the History Channel and Questions the Part About the Aliens |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexknapp/2011/09/19/an-archaeologist-watches-the-history-channel-and-questions-the-part-about-the-aliens |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170826104534/https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexknapp/2011/09/19/an-archaeologist-watches-the-history-channel-and-questions-the-part-about-the-aliens/ |archive-date=August 26, 2017 |access-date=2013-02-07 |website=Forbes}}</ref> | |||
===Season 9 (2014–15)=== | |||
{{Episode table | |||
|background = #00FF80 | |||
|overall = 7 | |||
|season = 7 | |||
|title = 71 | |||
|airdate = 15 | |||
|episodes = | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 82 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 1 | |||
| Title = Forbidden Caves | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=hist_eps /> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2014|10|31}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss the possibility that caves have served as portals for contact with extraterrestrial beings, becoming the inspiration for various mythological traditions. | |||
| LineColor = 00FF80 | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 83 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 2 | |||
| Title = Mysteries of the Sphinx | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=tfc /> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2014|11|7}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss the possibility that the ] originally represented an otherworldly being that came to Earth some 10,000 years ago. | |||
| LineColor = 00FF80 | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 84 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 3 | |||
| Title = Aliens Among Us | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=tfc /> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2014|11|14}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss the possibility that the evolution of technology is not entirely of our own making and that we are being watched by entities from beyond our world. | |||
| LineColor = 00FF80 | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 85 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 4 | |||
| Title = The Genius Factor | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=tfc /> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2014|11|21}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss the possibility that many of history’s greatest scientists were inspired by extraterrestrial sources. | |||
| LineColor = 00FF80 | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 86 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 5 | |||
| Title = Secrets of the Mummies | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=tfc /> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2014|11|28}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss the possibility that the global practice of ] is proof that extraterrestrials visited Earth in the past. | |||
| LineColor = 00FF80 | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 87 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 6 | |||
| Title = Alien Resurrections | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=tfc /> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2014|12|5}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss the possibility that incredible stories about the dead rising from their graves, mummies journeying into the afterlife, and people on the brink of death mingling with deceased relatives in a celestial ] are proof that extraterrestrials visited Earth in the distant past. | |||
| LineColor = 00FF80 | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 88 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 7 | |||
| Title = Alien Messages | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=tfc /> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2014|12|19}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss the possibility that some strange and cryptic communications can help us unlock the mysteries of the universe and contact extraterrestrial beings. | |||
| LineColor = 00FF80 | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 89 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 8 | |||
| Title = The Great Flood | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=tfc /> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2014|12|23}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss the possibility that extraterrestrial beings were responsible for causing the ]. | |||
| LineColor = 00FF80 | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 90 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 9 | |||
| Title = Aliens and the Civil War | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=hist_eps /> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2015|4|10}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss the possibility that aliens influenced the course of events in the ]. | |||
| LineColor = 00FF80 | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 91 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 10 | |||
| Title = Hidden Pyramids | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=tfc /> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2015|4|17}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss the possibility that aliens inspired long-buried ]ic pyramids which are only now being rediscovered. | |||
| LineColor = 00FF80 | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 92 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 11 | |||
| Title = The Vanishings | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=tfc /> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2015|4|24}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss the possibility that history's mysterious disappearances were caused by extraterrestrials transporting people to other planets. | |||
| LineColor = 00FF80 | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 93 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 12 | |||
| Title = The Alien Agenda | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=tfc /> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2015|5|1}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss the theory that aliens have been secretly influencing human history for thousands of years. Several things are discussed, among them: the ] story, the destruction of ] from ], ] and the ], ]'s extraterrestrial claims, the ] and the Nazi's supposed advanced technology. | |||
| LineColor = 00FF80 | |||
}} | |||
}} | |||
In 2011, '']'' parodied the series in the episode "]". Ramsey Isler of ] commented, "The aim is placed squarely on ''Ancient Aliens'' specifically".<ref name="IGN">{{Cite web |last=Isler |first=Ramsey |date=November 10, 2011 |title=South Park: "A History Channel Thanksgiving" Review |url=https://uk.ign.com/articles/2011/11/10/south-park-a-history-channel-thanksgiving-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191203204135/https://uk.ign.com/articles/2011/11/10/south-park-a-history-channel-thanksgiving-review |archive-date=December 3, 2019 |access-date=2019-12-03 |website=]}}</ref> South Park's animation style created "a perfect satire of all the ridiculousness of this series, including the black and white art with aliens photoshopped in, and interviews with people of dubious authority". | |||
===Season 10 (2015)=== | |||
{{Episode table | |||
|background = #009DEC | |||
|overall = 7 | |||
|season = 7 | |||
|title = 71 | |||
|airdate = 15 | |||
|episodes = | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 94 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 1 | |||
| Title = Aliens B.C. | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=hist_eps /> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2015|7|24}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss the idea that an alien civilization inhabited Earth in the distant past. | |||
| LineColor = 009DEC | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 95 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 2 | |||
| Title = NASA's Secret Agenda | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=hist_eps /> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2015|7|31}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss that rocket technology pioneered by ] and ] may have extraterrestrial origins. | |||
| LineColor = 009DEC | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 96 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 3 | |||
| Title = Aliens and Robots | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=hist_eps /> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2015|8|7}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss that sophisticated robots existed in the ancient world and that figures such as ] may have in fact been robots. | |||
| LineColor = 009DEC | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 97 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 4 | |||
| Title = Dark Forces | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=hist_eps /> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2015|8|14}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss if ], the Nazi ], and ] were in league with sinister otherworldly entities. | |||
| LineColor = 009DEC | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 98 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 5 | |||
| Title = The Alien Evolution | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=hist_eps /> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2015|8|21}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss if prehistoric remains point to numerous extraterrestrial species inhabiting Earth. | |||
| LineColor = 009DEC | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 99 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 6 | |||
| Title = The Other Earth | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=hist_eps /> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2015|8|28}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss the possibility of humans finding life on Earth-like planets, the colonization of other planets by humans and the potential colonization of our planet by extraterrestrials. | |||
| LineColor = 009DEC | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 100 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 7 | |||
| Title = Creatures of the Deep | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=hist_eps /> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2015|9|04}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss if legendary aquatic monsters such as ], ], and the ] may be alien creatures that originate from underwater ]s to other dimensions. | |||
| LineColor = 009DEC | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 101 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 8 | |||
| Title = Circles from the Sky | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=hist_eps /> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2015|9|18}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss if ]s are messages from extraterrestrials. | |||
| LineColor = 009DEC | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 102 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 9 | |||
| Title = The Alien Wars | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=hist_eps /> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2015|10|2}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss the possibility that there are numerous factions of alien races with competing agendas visiting Earth, that there is evidence they have been in conflict with each other for thousands of years, and that there is evidence that these wars actually took place here on Earth in the distant past—not between gods, but between extraterrestrial visitors. | |||
| LineColor = 009DEC | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 103 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 10 | |||
| Title = The Forbidden Zones | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=hist_eps /> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2015|10|9}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss the idea of aliens visiting us in the past is being censored from us today. Knowledge of extraterrestrial visitation might be found in places forbidden from outsiders. | |||
| LineColor = 009DEC | |||
}} | |||
}} | |||
Science writer Riley Black was critical of the series—particularly an episode that suggested "aliens exterminated dinosaurs to make way for our species"—which she characterized as "some of the most noxious sludge in television's bottomless chum bucket." Black accused the series of employing a ] technique to overwhelm the viewer with many "fictions and distortions."<ref name="Black" /> | |||
===Season 11 (2016)=== | |||
{{Episode table | |||
|background = #000DEC | |||
|overall = 7 | |||
|season = 7 | |||
|title = 71 | |||
|airdate = 15 | |||
|episodes = | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 104 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 1 | |||
| Title = Pyramids of Antarctica | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=hist_eps /> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2016|5|6}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss mysterious ice-covered structures found in ] that could be evidence of extraterrestrials. | |||
| LineColor = 000DEC | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 105 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 2 | |||
| Title = Destination Mars | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=hist_eps /> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2016|5|13}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss how manned missions to ] could reveal the existence of extraterrestrial intervention. | |||
| LineColor = 000DEC | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 106 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 3 | |||
| Title = The Next Humans | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=hist_eps /> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2016|5|20}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss cybernetics, ], and how robots could be the final step in human evolution. | |||
| LineColor = 000DEC | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 107 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 4 | |||
| Title = The New Evidence | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=hist_eps /> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2016|5|27}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss possible new evidence of extraterrestrials through the use of satellite, radar, and thermal scanning. | |||
| LineColor = 000DEC | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 108 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 5 | |||
| Title = The Visionaries | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=hist_eps /> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2016|6|10}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss if visionaries such as ] and ] could have been subconsciously influenced by extraterrestrials. | |||
| LineColor = 000DEC | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 109 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 6 | |||
| Title = Decoding the Cosmic Egg | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=hist_eps /> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2016|6|17}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss the symbolic use of the egg as a symbol throughout cultures worldwide. | |||
| LineColor = 000DEC | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 110 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 7 | |||
| Title = The Wisdom Keepers | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=hist_eps /> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2016|6|24}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss if the ] might have had contact with extraterrestrials in the remote past by way of the ]. | |||
| LineColor = 000DEC | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 111 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 8 | |||
| Title = The Mysterious Nine | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=hist_eps /> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2016|7|8}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss that the recurrence of the number ] in religious, cultural, philosophical and occult materials may, like the number three, be connected to extraterrestrials. | |||
| LineColor = 000DEC | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 112 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 9 | |||
| Title = The Hidden Empire | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=hist_eps /> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2016|7|15}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss the possibility that the mysterious country of ] could contain extraterrestrial civilizations and materials. | |||
| LineColor = 000DEC | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 113 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 10 | |||
| Title = The Prototypes | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=hist_eps /> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2016|7|22}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss the possibility that extraterrestrials influenced and altered the development of ], ] and ]. | |||
| LineColor = 000DEC | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 114 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 11 | |||
| Title = Space Station Moon | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=hist_eps /> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2016|7|29}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Experts and non-experts speculate that the Moon may not be a natural celestial object. | |||
| LineColor = 000DEC | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 115 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 12 | |||
| Title = Russia's Secret Files | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=hist_eps /> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2016|8|12}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists suggest that otherworldly visitations predate the establishment of the Russian nation, and point to the ancient settlement at ] as evidence. | |||
| LineColor = 000DEC | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 116 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 13 | |||
| Title = Beyond Roswell | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=hist_eps /> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2016|8|19}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss possible evidence that the ] hid evidence of extraterrestrials after the ]. | |||
| LineColor = 000DEC | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 117 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 14 | |||
| Title = The Returned | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=hist_eps /> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2016|8|26}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss the ] phenomenon including those who claim to have been abducted and returned such as ]. | |||
| LineColor = 000DEC | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 118 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 15 | |||
| Title = Shiva the Destroyer | |||
| RTitle = <ref name=hist_eps /> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2016|9|2}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient astronaut theorists discuss the Hindu deity ] and his possible link to extraterrestrials and atomic energy. | |||
| LineColor = 000DEC | |||
}} | |||
}} | |||
===Season 12 (2017)=== | |||
{{Episode table | |||
|background = #714E5E | |||
|overall = 7 | |||
|season = 7 | |||
|title = 71 | |||
|airdate = 15 | |||
|episodes = | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 119 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 1 | |||
| Title = The Alien Hunters | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2017|4|28}} | |||
| ShortSummary = Ancient alien astronaut theorists are intrigued by the amount of spending by developed countries into researching the existence of extraterrestrials and ET intelligence and are discussing the matter on the basis of de-classified documents. | |||
| LineColor = 714E5E | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 120 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 2 | |||
| Title = Forged by the Gods | |||
| RTitle = <ref name="Screener"/> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2017|5|5}} | |||
| ShortSummary = | |||
| LineColor = 714E5E | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 121 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 3 | |||
| Title = The Mystery of Rudloe Manor | |||
| RTitle = <ref name="Screener">{{cite web |url=http://tvschedule.zap2it.com/tv/ancient-aliens/episode-guide/EP01242748?aid=tvschedule |title=Ancient Aliens: Episode Guide |work=Screener |accessdate=April 28, 2017}}</ref> | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2017|5|12}} | |||
| ShortSummary = | |||
| LineColor = 714E5E | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 122 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 4 | |||
| Title = The Alien Architects | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2017|5|19}} | |||
| ShortSummary = | |||
| LineColor = 714E5E | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 123 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 5 | |||
| Title = The Pharaohs' Curse | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2017|5|26}} | |||
| ShortSummary = | |||
| LineColor = 714E5E | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 124 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 6 | |||
| Title = The Science Wars | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2017|6|02}} | |||
| ShortSummary = | |||
| LineColor = 714E5E | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 125 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 7 | |||
| Title = City of the Gods | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2017|6|09}} | |||
| ShortSummary = | |||
| LineColor = 714E5E | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
| EpisodeNumber = 126 | |||
| EpisodeNumber2 = 8 | |||
| Title = The Alien Frequency | |||
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2017|6|16}} | |||
| ShortSummary = | |||
| LineColor = 714E5E | |||
}} | |||
}} | |||
Others have called attention to a paucity of opposing viewpoints, such as ], Professor of Archaeology at ] and author of ''Frauds, Myths, and Mysteries: Science and Pseudoscience in Archaeology''. He was approached by producers with requests to appear in several episodes: "My response was, I'd be happy to be on your show, but you should know that I think that the ancient astronaut hypothesis is execrable bullshit."<ref>Feder, K. (1990). ''Frauds, Myths, and Mysteries: Science and Pseudoscience in Archaeology''. New York, McGraw-Hill Humanities/Social Sciences/Languages. {{ISBN|978-0078116971}}.</ref> He added, "I haven't heard back from them, rather remarkably. So, I guess maybe they're not interested in the other point of view."<ref>Ancient Alien Astronauts: Interview with Ken Feder. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190831113940/https://www.skeptic.com/podcasts/monstertalk/11/07/27/transcript/|date=August 31, 2019}}. Retrieved August 12, 2014.</ref> In 2016, ] producer Jordan Kinley said of ''Ancient Aliens'' claims:<ref name=":5" /> | |||
==Reception== | |||
{{Blockquote|You feel kind of lost when someone questions the historical narrative you've been taught. I don't believe much of what's talked about … but I think it's a good time for people to realize that some of our history is manufactured. Some of it is manufactured to be accurate, and some of it is manufactured to excuse horrible things that have happened.}} | |||
The program had 1.676 million viewers in late October 2010,<ref>{{cite web|title=TV Ratings for October 29, 2010|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2010/10/29/thursday-cable-ratings-%e2%80%98project-runway%e2%80%99-finale-up-jersey-shore-reunion-sunny-the-league-first-48-much-more/70170|work=TV By the Numbers}}</ref> {{nowrap|2.034 million viewers}} in mid-December (for the "Unexplained Structures" episode)<ref>{{cite web|title=TV Ratings for December 17, 2010|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2010/12/17/thursday-cable-ratings-49erschargers-tops-burn-notice-goes-out-on-high-note-real-housewives-always-sunny-more/75938|work=TV By the Numbers}}</ref> and in late January 2011 it had {{nowrap|1.309 million viewers.}}<ref>{{cite web|title=TV Ratings for January 27, 2011|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/01/27/wednesday-cable-ratings-storage-wars-dog-the-bounty-hunter-top-cable-hot-in-cleveland-sheds-a-chunk-of-viewers/80516|work=TV By the Numbers}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=TV Ratings for January 28th, 2011|url=http://insidetvratings.com/2011/01/28/nielsen-tv-rating/wednesday-cable-tv-ratings-hot-in-cleveland-retired-at-35-dog-the-bounty-hunter-celebrity-rehab|work=Inside TV Ratings}}</ref> | |||
In the 2019 issue of ], Franco D. Rossi of ] published a retrospective of his experience at the 2018 Boston Alien Con. He characterized ''Ancient Aliens'' and its fans as a "science fiction fandom" which also trafficked in "misinformation" and "conspiracies."<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Rossi |first=Franco D. |date=2019-07-03 |title=Reckoning with the Popular Uptake of Alien Archaeology |url=https://doi.org/10.1080/14655187.2021.1920795 |journal=Public Archaeology |volume=18 |issue=3 |pages=162–183 |doi=10.1080/14655187.2021.1920795 |issn=1465-5187 |s2cid=237124510}}</ref> He warned professionals in various history fields will have to reckon with ] and its adherents. In March 2020, podcaster ] challenged and debunked many of the claims featured on ''Ancient Aliens''. At the conclusion of the third episode, Dunning quoted ]{{'s}} ''Frauds, Myths, and Mysteries: Science and Pseudoscience in Archaeology'':<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |title=Debunking Ancient Aliens, Part 1 |url=https://skeptoid.com/episodes/4719 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817202906/https://skeptoid.com/episodes/4719 |archive-date=August 17, 2021 |access-date=2021-05-16 |website=Skeptoid}}</ref> | |||
===Critical reception=== | |||
Reviewers have characterized the show as "far-fetched",<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph (London)|date=April 30, 2011|page=38|title=Ancient Aliens|author=SH}}</ref> "hugely speculative",<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The Times (London)|date=April 30, 2011|first=Joe|last=Clay|title=Digital Choices|page= 35}}</ref> and "...expound wildly on theories suggesting that astronauts wandered the Earth freely in ancient times."<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The Globe and Mail (Canada)|date=April 25, 2011|first=Andrew|last=Ryan|title=Tonight on TV/Critical Picks|page=R2}}</ref> Most of the ideas presented in the show are not accepted by the scientific community, and have been criticized as ] and ].<ref name=Fritze>{{cite journal|url=http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/hsp/summary/v010/10.5.fritze.html|last=Fritze|first=Ronald H.|title=On the Perils and Pleasures of Confronting Pseudohistory|work=Historically Speaking|volume=10|number=5|date=November 2009|pages=2–5|issn=1941-4188}}</ref> History professor ] observed that pseudoscience as offered by von Däniken and the ''Ancient Aliens'' program has a periodic popularity in the US: "In a pop culture with a short memory and a voracious appetite, aliens and pyramids and lost civilizations are recycled like fashions."<ref name=Fritze/><ref name=Rorotoko>{{cite web|last=Fritze|first=Ronald|title=Ronald H. Fritze, On his book Invented Knowledge: False History, Fake Science and Pseudo-Religions, Cover Interview|url=http://rorotoko.com/interview/20090708_fritze_ronald_invented_knowledge_false_history_fake_science_pseudo/?page=4|work=July 08, 2009|publisher=Rorotoko.com|accessdate=July 17, 2012}}</ref> | |||
{{Blockquote|text=I realize that for some of you I'm being mean, snarky, and inflexible on this topic. And you'd be right. But in the face of a program and, at its core, a philosophy that is based on assumptions that degrade and diminish the inherent human capacity to invent, create, build, cooperate, and rise to the occasion to solve great technological challenges, both in the present and in the past }} | |||
] contributor Brad Lockwood criticized ''Ancient Aliens'' as an example of the History Channel's addition of "programs devoted to monsters, aliens, and conspiracies", commenting that, "''Ancient Aliens'' defies all ability to suspend disbelief for the sake of entertainment."<ref name=Forbes>{{cite news|last=Lockwood|first=Brad|title=High Ratings Aside, Where's the History on History?|url=http://www.forbes.com/sites/bradlockwood/2011/10/17/high-ratings-aside-wheres-the-history-on-history/|work=October 17, 2011|publisher=Forbes|accessdate=March 21, 2012}}</ref> Forbes.com staff writer Alex Knapp also criticized the series and cited ] Keith Fitzpatrick-Matthews' rebuke of the History Channel for "treating (''Ancient Aliens'') nonsense as though it were fact."<ref name=Forbes2>{{cite news|url=http://www.forbes.com/sites/alexknapp/2011/09/19/an-archaeologist-watches-the-history-channel-and-questions-the-part-about-the-aliens|title=An Archaeologist Watches the History Channel and Questions the Part About the Aliens|last1=Knapp|first1=Alex|date=September 19, 2011|work=Tech|publisher=Forbes.com|accessdate=February 7, 2013}}</ref> | |||
Dunning emphasized Feder's conclusion: "I maintain that meanness and inflexibility are entirely appropriate responses."<ref name=":8" /> | |||
] science writer Brian Switek was extremely critical of the series, particularly an episode that suggested "aliens exterminated dinosaurs to make way for our species." He characterized the show as "some of the most noxious sludge in television’s bottomless chum bucket."<ref name=Switek>{{cite web|last=Switek|first=Brian|title=The Idiocy, Fabrications and Lies of Ancient Aliens|url=http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/dinosaur/2012/05/the-idiocy-fabrications-and-lies-of-ancient-aliens|work=May 11, 2012|publisher=Smithsonian.com|accessdate=July 22, 2012}}</ref> | |||
=== Critical response by guests === | |||
Others have called attention to a paucity of opposing viewpoints. ], Professor of Archaeology at ] and author of ''Frauds, Myths, and Mysteries: Science and Pseudoscience in Archaeology'',<ref>Feder, K. (1990). ''Frauds, Myths, and Mysteries: Science and Pseudoscience in Archaeology''. New York, McGraw-Hill Humanities/Social Sciences/Languages. {{ISBN|978-0078116971}}.</ref> has said that he was approached by ''Ancient Aliens'' producers regarding his potential participation. "My response was, I’d be happy to be on your show, but you should know that I think that the ancient astronaut hypothesis is execrable bullshit," he said, in an interview. "I haven’t heard back from them, rather remarkably. So, I guess maybe they’re not interested in the other point of view."<ref>Ancient Alien Astronauts: Interview with Ken Feder. . Retrieved August 12, 2014.</ref> | |||
Many guests featured in episodes of the series have publicly expressed skepticism of the series' premise or of the ancient astronaut hypothesis. In the pilot episode, Sister ] of the ] repeated comments made previously{{Where|date=February 2022}} about the predilection for literalism common among supporters of the ancient astronaut hypothesis:<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Chariots, Gods & Beyond |series=Ancient Aliens |network=] |date=2009-03-08 |time=28:12}}</ref> | |||
{{Blockquote|Can we liken Ezekiel’s chariot to a UFO? The ancients used myth and metaphor and images to describe their experience of God. I think what we don’t want to fall to is a type of 'fundamental literalism'. The stories of the Old Testament emerge out of the people of that time, out of their own context, to make sense of their experience of God. We can gain insight by reading the Old Testament and reading about ], but it's not to draw a strict analogy between his chariot and a UFO.}} | |||
At a 2014 hearing of the ], ] said, "The public is fascinated with the idea that we may be being visited now, or maybe in the past," but there is not any evidence which has convinced him "that we were visited in times."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-05-21 |title=Extraterrestrial Life |url=https://www.c-span.org/video/?319504-1/hearing-astrobiology-extraterrestrial-life |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526135627/https://www.c-span.org/video/?319504-1%2Fhearing-astrobiology-extraterrestrial-life |archive-date=May 26, 2021 |access-date=2021-05-18 |website=] |language=en-us}}</ref> Shostak has appeared in twelve episodes. In a 2018 episode of '']'', ] said promoters of the ancient astronaut hypothesis "want everything to be 'ancient aliens'", which in his view was "sort of a cop-out". He added those same promoters are often motivated to sell books, DVDs, and conference tickets instead of presenting facts.<ref name=":9" /> Belief in the ancient alien hypothesis and other ancient mysteries "fills a void" for some people, according to Schoch, but he "tries to fill that void with something real."<ref name=":9" /> | |||
===Appearances in popular culture=== | |||
'']'' parodied the show in an episode entitled "]" (November 11, 2011, episode 15.13). Reviewer Ramsey Isler commented, "The aim is placed squarely on ''Ancient Aliens'' specifically," and described the animation as "a perfect satire of all the ridiculousness of this series, including the black and white art with aliens photoshopped in, and interviews with people of dubious authority."<ref name=IGN>{{cite web|last=Isler|first=Ramsey|title=South Park: "A History Channel Thanksgiving" Review|url=http://tv.ign.com/articles/121/1212124p1.html|work=IGN Television Reviews|publisher=IGN Entertainment|accessdate=November 12, 2011}}</ref> | |||
], who appeared in the Season 16 episode "William Shatner Meets ''Ancient Aliens''{{Hsp}}", told ''Inverse'': "I had some spirited discussions with these experts who believe aliens were here, and like most people, I was dubious about the whole thing." He added, "They intrigued me enough to think something's going on."<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Kleinman |first=Jake |title=William Shatner reveals why he blocked me on Twitter in 2018 |url=https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/william-shatner-interview-ancient-aliens-star-trek |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517030712/https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/william-shatner-interview-ancient-aliens-star-trek |archive-date=May 17, 2021 |access-date=2021-05-17 |website=Inverse |language=en}}</ref> | |||
] premiered '']'' (also known as ''Action Bronson Watches Ancient Aliens'') with a special on April 20, 2016 followed by a ten-episode series beginning in July. The series features rapper ], who praises ''Ancient Aliens'' as "the best thing that was ever created by man," commenting over the History series while smoking ] with celebrity guests.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.craveonline.com/music/1012299-action-bronson-ancient-aliens |title=Action Bronson’s New Show Is High-larious |last=Green |first=Patrick |date=21 July 2016 |website=CraveOnline |access-date=3 September 2016}}</ref> According to producers Jordan Kinley and Hannah Gregg, the show was conceived as a way to address disgruntled viewers of H2, the network that formerly aired ''Ancient Aliens'' before being replaced by Viceland on cable carriers in the United States.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thecreatorsproject.vice.com/blog/traveling-stars-action-bronson-friends-ancient-aliens-interview |title=How Action Bronson Ended Up Getting High and Watching 'Ancient Aliens' |last=Capossela |first=Francesca |date=3 August 2016 |website=Vice |access-date=3 September 2016}}</ref> | |||
== |
== Related media == | ||
Many guests featured on ''Ancient Aliens'' appear in other History channel series and specials, such as '']'', '']'', and '']''. Segments from those series have appeared in ''Ancient Aliens''.{{Citation needed|date=May 2021}} William Shatner, who appears in two episodes of ''Ancient Aliens'', presents '']'' which explores many of the topics featured in episodes ''Ancient Aliens''. Shatner narrated the English-language version of '']'' (1976) which was based on von Däniken's books published after ''Chariots of the Gods?''. | |||
=== ''Ancient Aliens'' meme === | |||
{{Main|Giorgio A. Tsoukalos#Ancient Aliens meme}} | |||
]]] | |||
Tsoukalos's appearances in ''Ancient Aliens'' inspired a ] highlighting his unusual hairstyle overlaid with the caption: "I'm not saying it was aliens … but …"<ref name=":62">{{Cite web |title=Ancient Aliens |url=https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/ancient-aliens |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519053724/https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/ancient-aliens |archive-date=May 19, 2021 |access-date=2021-05-19 |website=]|date=May 15, 2011 }}</ref> Variations of the meme were uploaded by users as early as November 2010.<ref name=":62" /><ref name=":72">{{Cite web |title=ancient aliens |url=https://www.dictionary.com/e/memes/ancient-aliens/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210522014352/https://www.dictionary.com/e/memes/ancient-aliens/ |archive-date=May 22, 2021 |access-date=2021-05-21 |website=Dictionary.com |language=en-US}}</ref> According to ], the meme mimicked "the tone of conviction used by Tsoukalos to present unfounded far-fetched pseudo-logic as fact."<ref name=":72" /> | |||
=== Alien Con === | |||
{{Expand section|date=March 2024}} | |||
From 2016 to 2018, ] co-produced several installments of Alien Con, a fan convention inspired by the series.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A Close Encounter with Alien Con, Plus Q&A with the TV Star of History's 'Ancient Aliens' |url=https://www.sfstation.com/2016/11/01/a-close-encounter-with-alien-con-plus-qa-with-the-tv-star-of-historys-ancient-aliens/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517030711/https://www.sfstation.com/2016/11/01/a-close-encounter-with-alien-con-plus-qa-with-the-tv-star-of-historys-ancient-aliens/ |archive-date=May 17, 2021 |access-date=2021-05-17 |website=SF Station {{!}} San Francisco's City Guide |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-05-06 |title=History Channel Plans 'Ancient Aliens' Con |url=https://www.licenseglobal.com/entertainment/history-channel-plans-ancient-aliens-con |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517030721/https://www.licenseglobal.com/entertainment/history-channel-plans-ancient-aliens-con |archive-date=May 17, 2021 |access-date=2021-05-17 |website=licenseglobal.com |language=en}}</ref> Footage from the 2016 and 2017 conventions appeared in several episodes which aired during Seasons 11 and 12. Highlights from the November 2018 convention in Baltimore were included in several episodes that aired in 2019, most prominently the episode "Project Hybrid".<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Project Hybrid |series=Ancient Aliens |network=] |date=2019-08-09 |season=14 |number=10 |time=24:53}}</ref> | |||
=== ''Action Bronson Watches Ancient Aliens'' === | |||
{{Main|Traveling the Stars: Action Bronson and Friends Watch Ancient Aliens}} | |||
In April 2016, ] released ''Action Bronson Watches Ancient Aliens'', which was followed by a ten-episode series, later retitled ''Traveling the Stars''. Each episode features rapper ] and celebrity guests watching episodes of ''Ancient Aliens'' while intoxicated by ]. The series is presented in a ]-] format which parodies ''Ancient Aliens''{{'s}} presentation style. | |||
Bronson praised ''Ancient Aliens'', saying it is "the best thing that was ever created by man."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Green |first=Patrick |date=2016-07-21 |title=Action Bronson's New Show Is High-larious |url=http://www.craveonline.com/music/1012299-action-bronson-ancient-aliens |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160924231333/http://www.craveonline.com/music/1012299-action-bronson-ancient-aliens |archive-date=2016-09-24 |access-date=2016-09-03 |website=CraveOnline}}</ref> According to producers Jordan Kinley and Hannah Gregg, ''Traveling the Stars'' was developed as a response to complaints by disgruntled viewers of H2 which Vice on TV's programming replaced.<ref name=":5" /> ''Traveling the Stars'' was renewed for a second season in 2019. | |||
=== Illustrated companion and game === | |||
A companion to the series, ''{{Vanchor|Ancient Aliens: The Official Companion Book}}'' ({{ISBN|978-0-06-245541-3}}) was published in November 2016. Included was an overview of the ancient astronaut hypothesis, and introductions to a number of topics explored by the television series up to Season 11. The audiobook adaptation, which is no longer available, featured the voices of ], ], ], ], and producer ]. | |||
''{{Visible anchor|Ancient Aliens: The Game}}'' is a ] developed by Fifth Column Games. The user plays as an alien-human hybrid who must oversee the construction of the ]. The game was released in 2016 as a ] mobile and ]. A ] was released by ] in September 2022.<ref>{{cite web |title=Fan Favorite 'Ancient Aliens: The Game' Now Available on PC |url=https://legacygames.com/news/ancient-aliens-the-game-now-on-pc/ |access-date=21 March 2024 |website=Legacy Games}}</ref> | |||
=== Film adaptation === | |||
In April 2021, Counterbalance Entertainment announced they had closed a deal with ] to produce a film adaptation of ''Ancient Aliens''. Josh Heald, creator of '']'', will direct a script written by Luke Ryan who will also executive produce.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Galuppo |first=Mia |date=2021-04-07 |title='Cobra Kai' Creators Tackling 'Ancient Aliens' Movie for Legendary |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/cobra-kai-creators-tackling-ancient-aliens-movie-for-legendary |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210408003811/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/cobra-kai-creators-tackling-ancient-aliens-movie-for-legendary |archive-date=April 8, 2021 |access-date=April 8, 2021 |website=]}}</ref> In July 2022, Legendary announced ] would write the feature script with Josh Heald to direct in partnership with ].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kit |first=Borys |date=2022-07-07 |title='Agents of SHIELD' Writer Tackling 'Ancient Aliens' for Legendary, 'Cobra Kai' Creators (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/agents-of-shield-writer-ancient-aliens-history-channel-1235176708/ |access-date=2022-08-05 |website=] |language=en-US}}</ref> | |||
== See also == | |||
* ] | * ] | ||
* ] | * ] | ||
* ] | |||
==References== | == References == | ||
{{Reflist}} | |||
{{reflist|30em|refs= | |||
<ref name=hist_eps>{{cite web|url=http://www.history.com/shows/ancient-aliens/episodes|title=Ancient Aliens Episode Guide|publisher=]|accessdate=October 25, 2014}}</ref> | |||
<ref name=tfc>{{cite web|url=http://thefutoncritic.com/showatch/ancient-aliens/listings|title=Shows A-Z – ancient aliens on h2|publisher=the Futon Critic|accessdate=October 25, 2014}}</ref> | |||
}} | |||
{{refbegin}} | |||
;General references <!-- These references will apply to most, if not all, episodes --> | |||
* {{cite web|url=http://www.history.com/shows/ancient-aliens/episodes|title=Ancient Aliens Episode Guide|publisher=]|accessdate=January 28, 2013}} | |||
* {{cite web|url=http://www.tvguide.com/detail/tv-show.aspx?tvobjectid=304225&more=ucepisodelist<!-- Note: The url listed here automatically redirects to the latest season for each TV program so, please, do not change to a direct season link. -->|title=Ancient Aliens Episodes|publisher=]|accessdate=December 23, 2012}} | |||
* {{cite web|url=http://thefutoncritic.com/showatch/ancient-aliens/listings|title=Shows A-Z – ancient aliens on h2|publisher=the Futon Critic|accessdate=December 23, 2012}} | |||
* {{cite web|url=http://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/series/ancient-aliens/seasons-episodes/AA4hDzv|title=Ancient Aliens – Seasons & Episodes|publisher=]|accessdate=December 21, 2014}} | |||
<!-- Do not include tv.com or imdb episode lists here. Tv.com and imdb are not reliable sources for episode information. --> | |||
{{refend}} | |||
==External links== | == External links == | ||
* {{Official website| |
* {{Official website|https://www.history.com/shows/ancient-aliens}} | ||
* {{IMDb title|1643266}} | * {{IMDb title|1643266}} | ||
* {{Skeptoid|id=4719|number=719|title=Debunking Ancient Aliens, Part 1|date=2020-03-17}} | |||
* '''' by ] and Chris White | |||
{{History shows}} | {{History shows}} | ||
] | |||
] | ] | ||
] | ] | ||
] | ] | ||
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] | ] | ||
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Latest revision as of 10:10, 25 December 2024
American extraterrestrial visitation television series This article is about a television program. For hypotheses about extraterrestrial visitations during ancient times, see Ancient astronauts. For the song by Lemon Demon, see Ancient Aliens (song).
Ancient Aliens | |
---|---|
Genre | |
Narrated by | Robert Clotworthy |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
No. of seasons | 20 |
No. of episodes | 260 (list of episodes) |
Production | |
Executive producers |
|
Camera setup | Multiple |
Running time |
|
Production company | Prometheus Entertainment |
Original release | |
Network | History Channel |
Release | March 8, 2009 (2009-03-08) – present |
Ancient Aliens is an American television series produced by Prometheus Entertainment that explores the pseudoscientific hypothesis of ancient astronauts in a non-critical, documentary format. Episodes also explore related pseudoscientific and pseudohistoric topics, such as: Atlantis and other lost ancient civilizations, extraterrestrial contact and ufology, and popular conspiracy theories. The series, which has aired on History since 2010, has been a target for criticism of History's channel drift, as well as criticism for promoting unorthodox or unproven hypotheses as fact. According to Smithsonian, episodes of the series overwhelm the viewer with "fictions and distortions" by using a Gish gallop.
Originally broadcast as two-hour documentary special in 2009, Ancient Aliens: The Series aired for three seasons as a flagship series on History from 2010 to 2012. The series moved to H2 from 2012 to 2014, with frequent re-airings of episodes on History and other A&E services. In 2015, the series returned to History after H2 was relaunched as Vice on TV. A nineteenth season began in 2023. All episodes are narrated by Robert Clotworthy.
The series is inspired by the works of Erich von Däniken, Zecharia Sitchin, Graham Hancock, Robert Bauval, Brinsley Trench, Charles Hapgood, and Edgar Cayce. Producer Giorgio Tsoukalos, writer David Childress and journalist Nick Pope are featured guests.
The series has been criticized by historians, cosmologists, archaeologists and other scientists for presenting and promoting pseudoscience, pseudohistory and pseudoarchaeology as fact. Episodes are frequently characterized as "far-fetched", "hugely speculative", and "expound wildly on theories suggesting that astronauts wandered the Earth freely in ancient times." Many of the claims made by guests are not commonly accepted as fact by the scientific community. Brian Dunning debunked the series as "a slap in the face to the ingenuity of the human race".
Production
Executive producer of the series was Kevin Burns from 2009 until 2021. Giorgio Tsoukalos serves as consulting producer, and is a featured guest, appearing in every episode. UFO researcher C. Scott Littleton served as a producing consultant during the series development until his death in 2010.
Ancient Aliens originally aired a two-hour documentary special for the History Channel on March 8, 2009. The special was re-run several times, and is now packaged with the series as its pilot episode. Ancient Aliens: The Series aired on History from 2010 to 2011, then moved to H2 where it was promoted as one of the network's flagship series until 2014. Frequent re-airings of episodes continued on the History channel, with highlights and repackaged episodes airing on A&E and Lifetime. A selection of thirteen episodes which focused on the 2012 phenomenon was made available for syndication in the United States and Canada during the 2011–12 television season. In some foreign markets, the series still carries the Ancient Aliens: The Series title card.
In 2015, the series returned to History after H2 was relaunched as Vice on TV. In response to complaints from disgruntled fans, Vice on TV created Action Bronson Watches Ancient Aliens. History renewed Ancient Aliens for a fifteenth which premiered on January 24, 2020. Due to COVID-19 disrupting production, the season ended after the twelve completed episodes were broadcast. Production was soon restarted, and a sixteenth season began on November 13, 2020. A nineteenth season began broadcast in 2023.
Premise and cosmology
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (December 2022) |
The series is based on and inspired by the pseudoscientific ancient astronauts hypothesis popularized in Chariots of the Gods?, by Erich von Däniken, and The 12th Planet, by Zecharia Sitchin. According to von Däniken, Sitchin, and others, extraterrestrial beings visited Earth in the distant past and introduced civilization, architecture, and high technology to pre-historic humans. Many, if not all, of ancient man's achievements in language, mathematics, science, technology and architecture, such as Egyptian pyramids, Pumapunku, Teotihuacan, and Stonehenge, are attributed to the influence of extraterrestrials. Remnants of extraterrestrial visitations are claimed to be found in religious texts, ancient myths and legendary histories, in addition to fragments found in the texts and practices of Hinduism, Ancient Egyptian religion, Gnostic Christianity, and more recent religious movements such as Mormonism. The hypothesis also holds that ancient visitations left etymological remnants in many of the world's languages, such as the root words for "Dagon", "dragon", "dog", and "Danann", or the frequent occurrence of the prefix anu- meaning "friend" or "visitor." Additionally, anatomically modern humans are the result of genetic modification and/or modern humans are somehow biologically descended from ancient astronauts.
There is little use of precise dates in many episodes. Guests use terms such as "the remote past", "prehistoric times", "ancient times", or they refer to "our ancient ancestors" in the abstract, when discussing hypothetical historical events. There is a frequent demarcation of pre-history from the modern era used by guests: "before or after 'The Ice Age'", or approximately 12,000 years ago. Many guests featured on the series, including Graham Hancock, and Robert Schoch, have claimed a sophisticated human civilization was destroyed at the end of the Ice Age.
Many of the guests who appear in the series support and have expanded on these claims in their own work creating a shared cosmology.
Presentation style
The series presents all claims made by guests in an uncritical, fast-paced format. The narration frequently frames claims made by guests or their responses as rhetorical questions which are answered with "ancient alien theorists say yes," or a variation thereof. After a particular claim is introduced, and explored in some detail, the narration cuts away with, "Perhaps more evidence can be found…" Another location, archeological find, or event, with a hypothetical connection to the previous claim is introduced. Chariots of the Gods? used a similar framing device. Smithsonian Magazine described this presentation style as a Gish gallop.
When comments are made by guests in each episode, there is no indication made (either by the narration or on-screen) whether they are speculating on the rhetorical question made by the interviewer or narration, or if they are repeating claims made by other researchers, or if they are speaking of their own work or expertise. Geologist Robert Schoch said portions of his own interviews for the series are sometimes inserted into the finished episodes in a manner which is out of context, or wholly disconnected from the questions asked of him on and off camera.
Writer David Childress, who appears in every episode, frequently concludes his comments with the exclamation, "—probably extraterrestrials!" Both Childress and Giorgio Tsoukalos repeatedly assert pre-historic peoples lacked the vocabulary to describe "technological" or "high-tech" devices (such as rockets or missiles, advanced weapons, aircraft, powered land vehicles, and medical instruments) that they supposedly witnessed, and thus referred to extraterrestrial visitors using such technology as gods.
Terms such as "ancient astronauts", "ancient aliens", "alien visitors", "extra-terrestrial beings", "ancient gods", and "otherworldly beings", are used interchangeably by guests and the narration. Guests frequently conflate the meaning of "theory" and "hypothesis", or they frequently obscure or ignore the difference between mythology and legendary history, and verifiable archaeology, anthropology, or documented history.
Frequent guests
Erich von Däniken is the featured guest in the pilot episode, in addition to being the focus of two biographical episodes: "The Von Däniken Legacy", in Season 5, and "The Alien Phenomena", in Season 13.
In the first season, credentialed scientists and professionals, such as Sara Seager and Michael Denning, respond to claims made by other guests, but their rebuttals were not rigorous. In subsequent episodes, scientists and professionals offer explanations of scientific phenomena or historical events without endorsing claims made by other guests, or they offer personal commentary. Psychologist Jonathan Young appears in 123 episodes, providing explanations of myths and legends, and legendary history. Boston University associate professor Robert Schoch presents his Sphinx water erosion hypothesis, as well as his hypothesis concerning the age and purpose of Göbekli Tepe, in several episodes.
Radio talk show host George Noory appears in more than 80 episodes, including the pilot episode. Reverend Barry Downing, known for describing angels in the Bible as ancient astronauts, appears in the pilot episode, and his comments are repeated in several other episodes. Writers Robert Bauval and Graham Hancock appear in many episodes. They both express skepticism of ancient astronauts, instead discussing their own theories of ancient civilizations. Hancock repeats the statement from his work that "There is a forgotten episode in human history." Nick Pope and Travis S. Taylor are also frequent guests.
Segments and highlights from all first-season episodes, including the pilot, were edited into later episodes as late as Season 12, so that guests who appeared in Season 1 ostensibly appear in later seasons, although footage of their original interviews was re-used.
Evidence
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (May 2021) |
In many episodes, little empirical evidence is offered to support the presented claims. Episodes or episode segments focus on out-of-place artifacts, such as: the London Hammer, Antikythera mechanism, or the Aiud object; or segments focus on alleged inconsistencies in the historical record. Guests discuss evidence which supports their claims in general or abstract terms. Some guests have alleged professionals and government have suppressed evidence of ancient mysteries, such as the in episode "The Prototypes" during which guests alleged that the Smithsonian Institution suppressed findings of "giant humanoids" found alongside American Indian remains in the Kanawha Valley.
From Season 12 onward, some episodes have included segments in which evidence that potentially supports the ancient astronauts hypothesis is subjected to testing by credentialed scientists and medical professionals on-camera. In the episode "The Science Wars", an elongated skull was subject to an MRI examination, and DNA was extracted and tested. In the episode "The Star Gods of Sirius" blue, porous, nitrogen-rich stones, were examined by geologists. However, none of the results produced—from the skull, the stones, or other objects examined in later episodes—proved conclusive.
Other claims
Other claims linked to the ancient astronauts hypothesis, such as UFOs, alien abductions, the Roswell incident and Rendlesham Forest incident, panspermia, and human space exploration, feature prominently in many episodes. Guests have presented other unproven historical and pseudoscientific hypotheses related to, or dependent upon an understanding of: Atlantis and other lost civilizations, as described in works by Brinsley Trench and Edgar Cayce; or ley lines as originally described by Alfred Watkins, or more recent interpretations; cataclysmic pole shifts as promoted by Charles Hapgood; various forms of Christian and Hindu creationism, or pseudohistory promoted by various religious movements; mythical elements of the Kabbalah, Zohar, and Book of Enoch; and various new religious movements.
Other concepts explored include: faith healing, remote viewing, and various psychic phenomena. Guests discuss various forms of catastrophism, and refer to other featured guests or historical figures as catastrophists. In various episodes, guests have claimed prominent historical figures were either influenced by or were possibly "extra-terrestrial" or "otherworldly beings."
Guests have also discussed unrelated pseudoscientific claims, such as: dinosaurs coexisting with humans until a recent extinction event, crystal healing and crystal skulls, as well as Freemasonry, Rosicrucianism, and the New World Order. Linda Moulton Howe appears in several episodes which explore alien abduction, animal mutilation, and conspiracies involving military installations on Antarctica. The 2013 Citizen Hearing on Disclosure features prominently in numerous episodes, such as Season 14's "The Nuclear Agenda".
Prior to December 2012, several episodes explored facets of the 2012 Mayan doomsday prophecy. The episodes "The Maya Conspiracy" and "The Doomsday Prophecies", which aired in February 2012, explored the Maya calendar and its relation to the construction of Palenque, the god Kukulkan, in addition to links between the Maya civilization and the ancient astronaut hypothesis. Episodes focusing on Mesoamerica broadcast after 2012 make no mention of the 2012 phenomenon. In the episode "The God Particle", guests linked the Mayan long count to the discovery of the Higgs boson.
Episodes
Main article: List of Ancient Aliens episodesSeason | Episodes | Originally released | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
First released | Last released | |||
Pilot | March 8, 2009 (2009-03-08) | |||
1 | 5 | April 20, 2010 (2010-04-20) | May 25, 2010 (2010-05-25) | |
2 | 10 | October 28, 2010 (2010-10-28) | December 30, 2010 (2010-12-30) | |
3 | 16 | July 28, 2011 (2011-07-28) | November 23, 2011 (2011-11-23) | |
4 | 10 | February 17, 2012 (2012-02-17) | May 4, 2012 (2012-05-04) | |
5 | 12 | December 21, 2012 (2012-12-21) | April 19, 2013 (2013-04-19) | |
6 | 11 | September 30, 2013 (2013-09-30) | December 13, 2013 (2013-12-13) | |
7 | 8 | January 24, 2014 (2014-01-24) | March 14, 2014 (2014-03-14) | |
8 | 9 | June 13, 2014 (2014-06-13) | August 22, 2014 (2014-08-22) | |
9 | 12 | October 31, 2014 (2014-10-31) | May 1, 2015 (2015-05-01) | |
10 | 10 | July 24, 2015 (2015-07-24) | October 9, 2015 (2015-10-09) | |
11 | 15 | May 6, 2016 (2016-05-06) | September 2, 2016 (2016-09-02) | |
12 | 16 | April 28, 2017 (2017-04-28) | September 15, 2017 (2017-09-15) | |
13 | 15 | April 27, 2018 (2018-04-27) | January 7, 2019 (2019-01-07) | |
14 | 22 | May 31, 2019 (2019-05-31) | November 29, 2019 (2019-11-29) | |
15 | 12 | January 24, 2020 (2020-01-24) | April 18, 2020 (2020-04-18) | |
16 | 10 | November 13, 2020 (2020-11-13) | March 12, 2021 (2021-03-12) | |
17 | 7 | August 6, 2021 (2021-08-06) | October 8, 2021 (2021-10-08) | |
18 | 20 | January 7, 2022 (2022-01-07) | September 16, 2022 (2022-09-16) | |
19 | 20 | January 6, 2023 (2023-01-06) | September 15, 2023 (2023-09-15) | |
20 | 20 | January 5, 2024 (2024-01-05) | September 13, 2024 (2024-09-13) | |
21 | TBA | February 7, 2025 (2025-02-07) | TBA |
Reception
The program had 1.676 million viewers in late October 2010, 2.034 million viewers in mid-December (for the "Unexplained Structures" episode), and in late-January 2011 the series had 1.309 million viewers.
Critical response
The series has been criticized by historians, cosmologists, archaeologists and other scientists for presenting and promoting pseudoscience, pseudohistory and pseudoarchaeology as fact. Episodes are frequently characterized as "far-fetched", "hugely speculative", and "expound wildly on theories suggesting that astronauts wandered the Earth freely in ancient times." Many of the claims made by guests are not commonly accepted as fact by the scientific community. In 2009, history professor Ronald H. Fritze observed that pseudoscience has a periodic popularity in the U.S.:
In a pop culture with a short memory and a voracious appetite, aliens and pyramids and lost civilizations are recycled like fashions.
Brad Lockwood of Forbes characterized Ancient Aliens as an example of History's channel drift toward "programs devoted to monsters, aliens, and conspiracies". He added that, "Ancient Aliens defies all ability to suspend disbelief for the sake of entertainment." Alex Knapp, also of Forbes, cited archaeologist Keith Fitzpatrick-Matthews' rebuke of History for treating "nonsense as though it were fact."
In 2011, South Park parodied the series in the episode "A History Channel Thanksgiving". Ramsey Isler of IGN commented, "The aim is placed squarely on Ancient Aliens specifically". South Park's animation style created "a perfect satire of all the ridiculousness of this series, including the black and white art with aliens photoshopped in, and interviews with people of dubious authority".
Science writer Riley Black was critical of the series—particularly an episode that suggested "aliens exterminated dinosaurs to make way for our species"—which she characterized as "some of the most noxious sludge in television's bottomless chum bucket." Black accused the series of employing a Gish gallop technique to overwhelm the viewer with many "fictions and distortions."
Others have called attention to a paucity of opposing viewpoints, such as Kenneth Feder, Professor of Archaeology at Central Connecticut State University and author of Frauds, Myths, and Mysteries: Science and Pseudoscience in Archaeology. He was approached by producers with requests to appear in several episodes: "My response was, I'd be happy to be on your show, but you should know that I think that the ancient astronaut hypothesis is execrable bullshit." He added, "I haven't heard back from them, rather remarkably. So, I guess maybe they're not interested in the other point of view." In 2016, Vice on TV producer Jordan Kinley said of Ancient Aliens claims:
You feel kind of lost when someone questions the historical narrative you've been taught. I don't believe much of what's talked about … but I think it's a good time for people to realize that some of our history is manufactured. Some of it is manufactured to be accurate, and some of it is manufactured to excuse horrible things that have happened.
In the 2019 issue of Public Archaeology, Franco D. Rossi of Johns Hopkins University published a retrospective of his experience at the 2018 Boston Alien Con. He characterized Ancient Aliens and its fans as a "science fiction fandom" which also trafficked in "misinformation" and "conspiracies." He warned professionals in various history fields will have to reckon with ancient astronaut hypothesis and its adherents. In March 2020, podcaster Brian Dunning challenged and debunked many of the claims featured on Ancient Aliens. At the conclusion of the third episode, Dunning quoted Kenneth Feder's Frauds, Myths, and Mysteries: Science and Pseudoscience in Archaeology:
I realize that for some of you I'm being mean, snarky, and inflexible on this topic. And you'd be right. But in the face of a program and, at its core, a philosophy that is based on assumptions that degrade and diminish the inherent human capacity to invent, create, build, cooperate, and rise to the occasion to solve great technological challenges, both in the present and in the past
Dunning emphasized Feder's conclusion: "I maintain that meanness and inflexibility are entirely appropriate responses."
Critical response by guests
Many guests featured in episodes of the series have publicly expressed skepticism of the series' premise or of the ancient astronaut hypothesis. In the pilot episode, Sister Ilia Delio of the Washington Theological Union repeated comments made previously about the predilection for literalism common among supporters of the ancient astronaut hypothesis:
Can we liken Ezekiel’s chariot to a UFO? The ancients used myth and metaphor and images to describe their experience of God. I think what we don’t want to fall to is a type of 'fundamental literalism'. The stories of the Old Testament emerge out of the people of that time, out of their own context, to make sense of their experience of God. We can gain insight by reading the Old Testament and reading about Ezekiel’s chariot, but it's not to draw a strict analogy between his chariot and a UFO.
At a 2014 hearing of the House Committee on Science, Seth Shostak said, "The public is fascinated with the idea that we may be being visited now, or maybe in the past," but there is not any evidence which has convinced him "that we were visited in times." Shostak has appeared in twelve episodes. In a 2018 episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, Robert Schoch said promoters of the ancient astronaut hypothesis "want everything to be 'ancient aliens'", which in his view was "sort of a cop-out". He added those same promoters are often motivated to sell books, DVDs, and conference tickets instead of presenting facts. Belief in the ancient alien hypothesis and other ancient mysteries "fills a void" for some people, according to Schoch, but he "tries to fill that void with something real."
William Shatner, who appeared in the Season 16 episode "William Shatner Meets Ancient Aliens ", told Inverse: "I had some spirited discussions with these experts who believe aliens were here, and like most people, I was dubious about the whole thing." He added, "They intrigued me enough to think something's going on."
Related media
Many guests featured on Ancient Aliens appear in other History channel series and specials, such as The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch, America's Book of Secrets, and The Curse of Oak Island. Segments from those series have appeared in Ancient Aliens. William Shatner, who appears in two episodes of Ancient Aliens, presents The UnXplained which explores many of the topics featured in episodes Ancient Aliens. Shatner narrated the English-language version of Mystery of the Gods (1976) which was based on von Däniken's books published after Chariots of the Gods?.
Ancient Aliens meme
Main article: Giorgio A. Tsoukalos § Ancient Aliens memeTsoukalos's appearances in Ancient Aliens inspired a meme highlighting his unusual hairstyle overlaid with the caption: "I'm not saying it was aliens … but …" Variations of the meme were uploaded by users as early as November 2010. According to Dictionary.com, the meme mimicked "the tone of conviction used by Tsoukalos to present unfounded far-fetched pseudo-logic as fact."
Alien Con
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (March 2024) |
From 2016 to 2018, A&E Networks co-produced several installments of Alien Con, a fan convention inspired by the series. Footage from the 2016 and 2017 conventions appeared in several episodes which aired during Seasons 11 and 12. Highlights from the November 2018 convention in Baltimore were included in several episodes that aired in 2019, most prominently the episode "Project Hybrid".
Action Bronson Watches Ancient Aliens
Main article: Traveling the Stars: Action Bronson and Friends Watch Ancient AliensIn April 2016, Vice on TV released Action Bronson Watches Ancient Aliens, which was followed by a ten-episode series, later retitled Traveling the Stars. Each episode features rapper Action Bronson and celebrity guests watching episodes of Ancient Aliens while intoxicated by cannabis. The series is presented in a comedy-documentary format which parodies Ancient Aliens's presentation style.
Bronson praised Ancient Aliens, saying it is "the best thing that was ever created by man." According to producers Jordan Kinley and Hannah Gregg, Traveling the Stars was developed as a response to complaints by disgruntled viewers of H2 which Vice on TV's programming replaced. Traveling the Stars was renewed for a second season in 2019.
Illustrated companion and game
A companion to the series, Ancient Aliens: The Official Companion Book (ISBN 978-0-06-245541-3) was published in November 2016. Included was an overview of the ancient astronaut hypothesis, and introductions to a number of topics explored by the television series up to Season 11. The audiobook adaptation, which is no longer available, featured the voices of Giorgio A. Tsoukalos, Angela Cartwright, Bill Mumy, Robert Clotworthy, and producer Kevin Burns.
Ancient Aliens: The Game is a city-building game developed by Fifth Column Games. The user plays as an alien-human hybrid who must oversee the construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza. The game was released in 2016 as a free-to-play mobile and Facebook game. A PC port was released by Legacy Games in September 2022.
Film adaptation
In April 2021, Counterbalance Entertainment announced they had closed a deal with Legendary Entertainment to produce a film adaptation of Ancient Aliens. Josh Heald, creator of Cobra Kai, will direct a script written by Luke Ryan who will also executive produce. In July 2022, Legendary announced Craig Titley would write the feature script with Josh Heald to direct in partnership with Counterbalance Entertainment.
See also
References
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External links
- Official website
- Ancient Aliens at IMDb
- Dunning, Brian (March 17, 2020). "Skeptoid #719: Debunking Ancient Aliens, Part 1". Skeptoid.
- Ancient Aliens Debunked by Michael S. Heiser and Chris White