Historian Claims ‘Ancient Alien’ Theory Has a Gaping Hole

By: Ben Campbell | Last updated: Jul 10, 2024

The idea of aliens visiting our planet in the distant past and playing a role in constructing some of the world’s most recognized ancient landmarks, such as the Giza Pyramids and other megalithic sites around the world, has become a popular topic of conversation over the past few decades.

One researcher has recently criticized this ideology, emphasizing that it diminishes the accomplishments of many of the world’s ancient cultures. These cultures, which held significant knowledge in astronomy, masonry, and architectural design, deserve our utmost respect for their achievements.

Theories of Ancient Aliens

The possibility of life elsewhere in the universe has likely been a subject of human curiosity for as long as we’ve been able to gaze at the stars and celestial bodies.

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A photograph of a UFO in the US

Source: Wikimedia

Human imagination has played a pivotal role in creating numerous theories centered on aliens, many of which suggest they have even visited Earth in the distant past and continue to do so.

Masters of Construction

The internet has only hastened the spread of ancient alien theories, suggesting that in distant parts of the past, our planet was visited by several different species of extraterrestrials. 

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A photograph of the Great Pyramid of Giza

Source: Wikimedia

One popular claim is that such extraterrestrials played a significant role in the evolution of humanity and have influenced the development of cultures around the world.

Aliens Built the Pyramids

If that isn’t enough, some have even claimed that many of the greatest remnants of the ancient world were constructed by aliens. 

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Grey alien pointing finger

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According to these people, structures ranging from pyramids to ziggurats and temples were all constructed under the guidance of ancient aliens.

The Ancient Aliens TV Show

Traction of the ancient astronaut theory has garnered considerable support over the past decade, thanks to one show in particular: “Ancient Aliens,” broadcasted on the History network.

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The cast of the Ancient Aliens television show

Source: @Tsoukalos/X

In recent years, several researchers and scientists have joined the show to discuss the irregularities discovered at some of the ancient sites. Some have even considered the possibility of alien intervention in humanity’s evolution.

Elon Musk Believes the Pyramids Were Built by Aliens

Theories of the potential role aliens played in constructing ancient sites have captivated many people, ranging from celebrities to scientists and everyone in between. 

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A photograph of Elon Musk

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Most recently, the conspiracy theory captivated one well-known engineer, Elon Musk. Several years ago, he tweeted, “Aliens built the pyramids, obv.”

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Musk Met With Backlash Online

The Tesla founder was immediately met with considerable backlash online. Egyptian archaeologist Zahi Hawass called Musk’s comment a “complete hallucination.”

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Elon Musk talking wearing a suit in 2023.

Source: UK Government/Wikimedia Commons

 He continued, “I found the tombs of the pyramid builders that tell everyone that the builders of the pyramids were Egyptians and they were not slaves.”

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Historian Calls Out Ancient Aliens Theorists

In a TikTok video uploaded to her account, Dr. Ellie Mackin Roberts, who specializes in Classical Greek history, called out the proponents of the ancient alien theories.

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A photograph of Dr. Ellie Mackin Robert

Source: Elliemackinroberts/TikTik

Evidently upset with the traction the movement has received in recent years, Roberts posted a video to TikTok aiming to showcase how obscene the theory is. 

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Alien Theory Continues to Gain Traction

During the opening portion of the video, Roberts mentions the well-established conspiracy theory and how its popularity continues to grow. 

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An alien standing in front of a UFO

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“Part of me just cannot believe this is still relevant. Most of me know that it’s sadly even more relevant,” she said. 

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Ancient Aliens Forgot About Europe

In the video, Roberts points out that many of the structures allegedly built by ancient aliens are outside of Europe.

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A photograph of the Greek Parthenon

Source: Wikimedia

“Isn’t it interesting that we think about aliens building things in ancient South America, ancient Africa, and the ancient Middle East, but we don’t think that the aliens have built similar things in the places that we have decided is the birthplace of western civilization…like Greece?” she said.

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One Problem With Their Theory

According to the doctor, the lack of alien theories associated with European civilization has resulted in a major hole in their theory.

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A photograph of cyclopean masonry at an archaeological site in Greece

Source: Wikimedia

Roberts explains that ancient alien proponents love to cite impressive sites made from cut and polished masonry as evidence of an extraterrestrial presence. Yet, there is no effort to associate European examples with aliens. 

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Why Didn’t Aliens Visit Greece, Says Historian

In reference to the conspiracy theorist’s reluctance to associate Greek structures with aliens, Roberts said, “If this was a determining factor, why do they forget to include the Cyclopean stone masonry found throughout Greece?”

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An ancient Greek vase in the National Archaeological Museum of Greece in Athens. The vase’s lid has a horse figurine as a handle.

National Archaeological Museum of Greece/Wikimedia Commons

She continued, “These buildings are often regarded as some of the most impressive in the world, yet their builders are never questioned.”

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Cyclopean Masonry

This particular kind of construction is found in the walls of Greek sites at Mycenae and Tiryns and portrays enormous boulders cut and sometimes polished to a fine degree. 

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A photograph of a part of a Greek site known as the Lions Gate

Source: Wikimedia

The name stems from a legend spread throughout the classical Greek world that only the mythological giants known as Cyclopes could move such enormous stones.

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Maybe It’s Racism, Says Historian

According to Roberts, we observe “rocks carved precisely and put together.” Many of these are just as impressive as those attributed to the aliens in Egypt. 

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A photograph of a sign that reads: “End Racism.”

Source: Wikimedia

However, they are not attributed to aliens because “that’s our genius.” She continues, “Or maybe it’s just racism.”

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The Historian's Point

It appears the historian is trying to suggest that, for whatever reason, the people of Europe are believed to have possessed the skills required to move enormous stones and build megalithic structures.

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A photograph of Dr. Ellie Mackin Robert

Source: Elliemackinroberts/TikTik

However, those living in ancient Americas or Africa didn’t have the same level of expertise. Thus, the only explanation must be aliens. 

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Diminishing the Achievements of an Ancient Culture

But in doing so, ancient alien theorists diminish the achievements of these ancient cultures while promoting Europe as a superior civilization, which is just not true.

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Tomb of Seti I with Carvings and Decorations in Egypt

Source: AXP Photography

This has led Roberts and several other academics to label the proponents of the alien pyramid theory as racists. 

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Ancient Alien Theorist Are Racist

While it is the opinion of the minority, some have begun labeling those who propose the ancient alien theory racist because it continues to diminish the achievements of ancient groups outside of Europe.

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A typewriter with a piece of paper inside. On the paper, it says “Conspiracy.”

Source: Markus Winkler/Unsplash

“That’s what the ancient alien’s theory does: it discredits the origins of civilizations, and almost entirely of non-white civilizations. People may suggest Stonehenge was built by aliens — but do the[y] suggest the Roman Forum or Parthenon were? No,” said researcher Chris Reidel.

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Social Psychology Professor Shares Her Thoughts

One question remains, though: Why do so many people gravitate towards the idea that aliens built many of the world’s most magnificent and ancient structures, including the Giza pyramids? 

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Female researcher pictured drinking coffee at her desk

Source: Wikimedia

During an interview with Vice, Karen Douglas, a professor of social psychology at the University of Kent, explained that many people tend to believe conspiracy theories that are difficult to prove wrong. 

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The Place Where Conspiracy Theories Thrive

Despite there being no proof in favor of aliens building the pyramids, there’s little to no credible evidence that thoroughly explains how the Egyptians accomplished such a task. This leaves it open to interpretation, a region where conspiracy theories thrive. 

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A photograph of a stone inscribed with Egyptian hieroglyphs

Source: Wikimedia

“The most popular conspiracy theories are those which can’t be proven wrong or theories that mainly just ask questions about what happened,” said Douglas. 

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The Mystery of the Pyramid

While the mystery surrounding the construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza remains open to debate, it’s safe to say no real academic considers alien influence as a viable option. 

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The Giza pyramids, where both the large and small pyramids are easily visible.

Source: Leonardo Ramos/Unsplash

Egyptologists are certain they were constructed by the Egyptians themselves, with Dr. Nicky Nielsen of the University of Manchester citing evidence such as quarries, diaries, and tool marks. 

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The Main Problem Surrounding the Pyramids

The main problem surrounding the Great Pyramids of Giza is how such enormous blocks, some weighing as much as 80 tons, were lifted high into the air and carefully positioned into place. 

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An up-close image of the Pyramid of Giza

Source: Wikimedia

According to Nielsen, the best answer is “Pulleys. They could pull very heavy blocks up a very steep gradient using pulleys and a ramp. The actual ramp that’s preserved is very steep; I think it’s something like 16 degrees.”

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Few European Monuments Are Associated With Aliens

Nielsen backs up Roberts’s previous point that European monuments are rarely dragged into the ancient alien’s debate. 

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A large stone circle pictured in County Clare

Source: Wikimedia

“Aside from Stonehenge, European ancient monuments aren’t dragged into the whole Ancient Aliens debate, like the Colosseum, even though it’s clearly a massive work of construction. It removes agency from indigenous cultures, and it takes their ownership of their own history away from them. Arabic writing from the time pretty unanimously says it was the Egyptians, but nobody bothered to check for a long time,” he said

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Not All Ancient Alien Conspiracy Theorists Are Racist

Despite his opinion of the ancient alien community, Nielsen admits he doesn’t think those who believe that the pyramids were built by aliens are inherently racist. 

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A photograph of several researchers during a meeting

Source: Freepik

“I don’t think that the people who believe [that aliens built the pyramids] are all racist, but the conspiracy perpetuates a very Eurocentric view of other cultures – not just the Egyptians, but Mayans and Incas and whoever else,” says Nielsen.

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Embracing the Achievements of the Past

It’s important to remember that while the megalithic structures found around the world appear to be so advanced that we may struggle to create replicas in the modern era, they simply show the level of expertise possessed by ancient cultures.

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A photograph of the Pyramids of Giza taken at dusk

Source: David Degner/Getty Images

Thousands of years of evolution in masonry skills and architectural design would be sufficient enough to suggest that humans built the iconic landmarks. While it may be difficult to discern their exact methods, we can still enjoy the sites without diminishing or exploiting their achievements.

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