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von Däniken, Erich - Chariots of the Gods? The term 'ancient astronauts' refers to the speculative notion that aliens are responsible for the most ancient civilizations on earth. The most notorious proponent of this idea is Erich von Däniken, author of several popular books on the subject. His Chariots of the Gods? Unsolved Mysteries of the Past, for example, is a sweeping attack on the memories and abilities of ancient peoples. Von Däniken claims that the myths, arts, social organizations, etc., of ancient cultures were introduced by visitors from another world. He questions not just the capacity for memory, but the capacity for culture and civilization itself, in ancient peoples. He believes that prehistoric humans did not develop their own arts and technologies, but rather were taught art and science by visitors from outer space.