Pyramids? No problem!

Ancient alien theorists claim that because pyramid structures are found in locations across the globe, it is proof that aliens helped ancient people build them. What else could possibly explain these large stone structures? A lot, actually.....

1) Pyramids are actually a very sturdy and easy shape to make, especially when working with heavy materials like stones. If you try to build straight up for too high of a height with heavy stone, eventually your structure will start to crack. Take a look at the 'bent pyramid' of Egypt (2680-2565 B.C), to see what was probably one of their first attempt at building up tall. (oops, it failed! They had to change their design mid-way through) It wasn't until we started producing lighter materials that we were able to build such tall and straight buildings like sky scrapers (but I guess the aliens didn't feel like giving ancient people that info?)

2) Since the Pyramid shape is so sturdy, and relatively easy to make, why would it not show up in multiple cultures? It would be QUITE a coincidence if the pyramids looked identical, but there are actually many visual differences between Mayan pyramids and Egyptian pyramids. If aliens were helping out the ancient people with the pyramids, why did they change up the design from culture to culture?

3) These pyramids are quite huge, and certainly must have taken a lot of man power. I feel like ancient alien theorists give humans from the past too little credit. When there isn't much to do except please the gods, and your ruler (who was usually seen as divine), amazing structures like these tend to come about (especially when the chance of achieving a good afterlife for your efforts is at stake!). According to sciencedaily.com, people actually 'signed up' to work on various Pyramids because it meant food, tax breaks, clothing, and shelter (at least until the pyramid was done, which would easily take 20 years, depending on the size)

4) Ancient alien theorists often try to claim that there is no way these ancient people could have carved and moved rock with the technology available to them. Focusing on Egypt still (for now), and again referencing sciencedaily.com; researches are still discovering various techniques and tools that were used to carve and move the massive stones that the pyramids were made from. Just take a look at the article, and you'll see explanations for many things ancient alien theorists claim to have been impossible. To sum up, tools that are appropriate for the time are being found, not alien rock cutting laser machine remnants.

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Here are some sites I found information from (check 'em out if you get a chance)
http://www.aloha.net/~hawmtn/pyramid.htm
Gives explanation on how the pyramids in Egypt were built:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080328104302.htm
This girl seriously did her research regarding pyramid construction:
http://atlantisonline.smfforfree2.com/index.php?topic=8188.0
Yahoo answers is usually REALLY crappy, but I was glad to see some logical answers:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071228201310AATyA3T

Mayans - They're still here

"The Maya peoples never disappeared, neither at the time of the Classic period decline nor with the arrival of the Spanish conquistadores and the subsequent Spanish colonization of the Americas. Today, the Maya and their descendants form sizable populations throughout the Maya area and maintain a distinctive set of traditions and beliefs that are the result of the merger of pre-Columbian and post-Conquest ideas and cultures. Many Mayan languages continue to be spoken as primary languages today; the Rabinal Achí, a play written in the Achi language, was declared a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2005."

In short, the Mayans didn't 'up and disappear', as many ancient alien theorists make them out to have done. They spread out over time, and mingled with surrounding cultures, eventually dwindling the population.

In case you didn't know, ancient alien theorists really love to say that the Mayans were taken off of Earth by aliens, who gave them technology to build the structures that still stand today. Although that would be truly phenomenal, according to history, it's just not the case.

History Channel and Aliens...really?

It makes me sad when I see the History channel airing shows like Ancient Aliens.

Although I completely believe in the likeliness of there being intelligent space traveling life more advanced than our own out there, I have a hard time listening to some of the 'facts' people are trying to pass off as evidence of past alien visits to Earth.

This blog is meant to clear up some of the more commonly heard rumors and myths that supposedly stack up as 'evidence' to many Ancient Alien theorists. What's sad, is most of the information I'll present has been found by doing a few quick google searches :/

It seems to me, that many people who claim to be 'ancient alien theorists' have almost taken it to be a new religion or way of life. And with many religions, despite having hard facts in front of the believer, they choose to ignore or discredit them for one reason or another. The thing is, ancient alien theorists claim to have actual scientific and factual evidence behind their way of thinking, when they don't.

There are numerous fallacies that appear over and over again in these types of shows.

1) Appeal to authority - Using an authority figure to make an argument seem more valid. Often 'authors' and 'experts' are interviewed to give claims of ordinary people more credibility. It is few and far between when we hear from an actual historian, or anthropologist.

2) Argument from ignorance - Assuming a claim is true, because it cannot be proven false."Well there is NO way humans could have made something like this, therefore, it must be Aliens".

3) Straw man argument - A misrepresentation of the opponents position. Sometimes when a fact is presented to discredit ancient alien theory, the believers in ancient alien theory will say something along the lines of 'well how can you not believe there is intelligent life out there?'.

I'm sure there are more. Just take a read through 'Chariot's of the Gods' and you can pick out a fallacy on almost every page. Anyway, I've gotten off track a bit, but I'm not a professional writer and this blog is mostly for my own peace of mind. So, hope you enjoy!