TL;DR
Stephen M. Epstein analyzes the logical structure of Erich von Däniken’s claims in Chariots of the Gods?, arguing that the book relies on assertion, visual pareidolia and gaps-in-knowledge reasoning rather than solid evidence. Epstein uses cases such as the Palenque sarcophagus and the Delhi iron pillar to show how those rhetorical modes work.
What happened
In a 1987 essay, scholar Stephen M. Epstein examined the argumentative methods behind Erich von Däniken’s bestselling 1968 book Erinnerungen an die Zukunft (published in English as Chariots of the Gods?). Von Däniken argues that extraterrestrials visited Earth and altered human capacities, and he points to archaeological material as proof. Epstein does not undertake a point-by-point factual rebuttal; instead he dissects the structure of von Däniken’s claims. He identifies two recurring tactics: interpretations based on likeness (a ‘‘looks like a spaceman’’ approach that treats ambiguous imagery like a Rorschach test) and arguments that invoke mystery where scientific explanations are said to fail. Epstein illustrates these patterns with examples — the Maya sarcophagus lid of Pakal, read by von Däniken as a pilot in a rocket, and the Delhi iron pillar, described by von Däniken as an inexplicably rust-free ancient alloy — and shows how alternative, scholarly readings undercut those readings.
Why it matters
- Popular mass-market books can shape public perceptions of prehistory even when scholars find their reasoning flawed; von Däniken’s titles sold widely across dozens of countries.
- Analyzing argumentative structure helps non-specialists evaluate sensational archaeological claims without needing deep technical expertise.
- The persistence of image-based pareidolia and ‘‘mystery’’ arguments illustrates common cognitive and rhetorical traps in interpreting material culture.
- Scholarly engagement with popular claims is complicated when the volume and variety of assertions overwhelm capacity for detailed rebuttal.
Key facts
- Erich von Däniken originally published Erinnerungen an die Zukunft in 1968; the English edition is titled Chariots of the Gods?.
- Epstein reports that Chariots of the Gods? sold about 7 million copies and von Däniken’s total sales later exceeded 25 million in some 32 countries.
- Von Däniken’s central claim is that extraterrestrial visitors shaped human history and improved human capacities, including by crossbreeding.
- Epstein separates von Däniken’s techniques into at least two types: ‘‘looks-like-a-spaceman’’ visual analogy and ‘‘science-cannot-explain-this’’ appeals to mystery.
- The Palenque sarcophagus lid (ruler Pakal, died A.D. 683) is cited by von Däniken as evidence of an astronaut; Maya specialists read it instead as a depiction of death, the World Tree, and the Sun Monster in Maya cosmology.
- Von Däniken sometimes misstates provenance or context (for example, confusion between Palenque and Copán in captions versus text noted by Epstein).
- The Delhi iron pillar is not, Epstein notes, 4,000 years old as claimed by von Däniken; local inscription dates it to the early 4th century A.D. and a 1912 metallurgical analysis described a welded wrought-iron construction composed overwhelmingly of iron with minor phosphorus and traces of carbon.
- Epstein argues that the sheer number and variety of von Däniken’s assertions make individual refutation difficult; readers may mistake quantity of claims for cumulative proof.
What to watch next
- Further scholarly rebuttals or public responses to von Däniken’s claims — not confirmed in the source.
- Any new technical analyses of artifacts von Däniken cites that might bear on contested interpretations — not confirmed in the source.
- Shifts in public reception, sales figures, or popular-media adaptations of von Däniken’s ideas since the sources cited here — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Pareidolia: A psychological phenomenon in which people perceive familiar patterns, such as faces or objects, in ambiguous visual stimuli.
- Sarcophagus lid: A carved or inscribed stone cover for a coffin; in many cultures it bears iconography related to the deceased and religious beliefs.
- World Tree: A cosmological motif in several traditions referring to a tree that connects different realms of the universe; in Maya belief it links the underworld, the living world, and the heavens.
- Wrought iron: A form of iron worked by hammering and forging, typically low in carbon and historically used for large structural or decorative objects.
Reader FAQ
Who is the author criticized in Epstein’s essay?
Erich von Däniken, author of Erinnerungen an die Zukunft (Chariots of the Gods?).
What is Stephen M. Epstein’s main approach in the article?
He analyzes the logical structure and rhetorical methods of von Däniken’s arguments rather than cataloging every factual error.
Do archaeologists accept von Däniken’s interpretations?
Epstein reports that archaeologists find von Däniken’s arguments patently ridiculous and are dismayed by his popular influence.
Are specific artifacts discussed?
Yes; Epstein examines the Palenque sarcophagus lid and the Delhi iron pillar as illustrative cases.
VOLUME 29 / NUMBER 2 “Scholars Will Call it Nonsense” The Structure of Erich von Däniken's Argument BY: STEPHEN M. EPSTEIN Originally Published in 1987 View PDF In 1968 an…
Sources
- "Scholars Will Call It Nonsense" the Structure of Erich von Däniken's Argument
- "Scholars Will Call It Nonsense" the Structure of Erich von …
- Pseudoarchaeology and the ancient astronaut theory
- Erich von Däniken
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