Erich von Däniken, author of 'Chariots of the Gods,' dies at 90
Swiss author Erich von Däniken, whose 1968 bestseller 'Chariots of the Gods' popularized ancient-astronaut theories, died at 90; he sold millions despite sustained scientific criticism.
Overview
Erich von Däniken, Swiss author famed for 'Chariots of the Gods,' died at 90 in a central Switzerland hospital; representatives and daughter Cornelia confirmed his death.
His 1968 book claimed ancient civilizations like the Mayans and Egyptians were visited by extraterrestrial astronauts who taught advanced technology, fueling popular interest in unexplained phenomena.
Von Däniken published over two dozen books, selling roughly 60–70 million copies across more than 30 languages, influencing TV, documentaries and popular culture despite academic rejection.
His career included accusations of fraud, tax impropriety and brief prison terms; critics exposed fabricated evidence in media, yet he remained unapologetic about his theories.
Born 1935 in Schaffhausen, he lectured worldwide and opened a themed park that failed; he is survived by wife Elisabeth Skaja, daughter Cornelia and two grandchildren.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame von Däniken skeptically by foregrounding criticism and factual contradictions while acknowledging his popularity. Editorial choices include evaluative language ('scorn', 'questionable', 'fabricated evidence'), emphasis on legal and financial troubles, and selection of critical examples (Ig Nobel, debunking documentary). This cumulative structure privileges scientific skepticism over sympathetic interpretation.
Sources (3)
FAQ
The core idea of *Chariots of the Gods* is that many ancient civilizations and monumental structures—such as those of the Mayans and Egyptians—were influenced or aided by extraterrestrial “ancient astronauts,” who allegedly visited Earth and imparted advanced knowledge and technology to humans.
Archaeologists and scientists have overwhelmingly rejected von Däniken’s theories as pseudoscientific, arguing that he misinterpreted artifacts, removed archaeological evidence from context, and offered extraordinary claims without credible evidence, while well-documented explanations rooted in known human capabilities already exist for the monuments he cited.
Von Däniken’s books sold an estimated tens of millions of copies worldwide, were translated into dozens of languages, and inspired documentaries and television series that helped embed ancient-astronaut ideas in popular culture, influencing later shows such as those exploring “ancient aliens” themes.
Von Däniken faced accusations of fraud and financial improprieties, including charges related to embezzlement and forgery that led to prison time, and critics also exposed fabricated or misleading evidence he had used to support his ancient-astronaut claims.
Scholars have argued that von Däniken cherry-picked data, removed artifacts and sites from their cultural and archaeological context, relied on speculative interpretations resembling “inkblot” readings, and ignored extensive evidence showing that ancient peoples could build the structures he cited using the technology of their time.
History
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