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Throughout history, many of the world's greatest thinkers have helped push civilization forward with their profound insights and extraordinary abilities. But the majority of these master minds say their brilliance comes from a place they don't understand--and arrives at times they're not expecting it. In antiquity, people in nearly every culture around the world believed they did not possess genius, but that genius possessed them, like a spirit. Could it be that the forces of inspiration that the ancients attributed to the gods really did emanate from an otherworldly source, as Ancient Astronaut theorists suggest? Whether it's Albert Einstein's theory of relativity, Edison's light bulb, or Russian chemist Dmitri Mendeleyev's Periodic Table of Elements, geniuses routinely say their best ideas come from dreams, visions, or hallucinated voices. Is it possible that genius is more than just the product of good genetics?

From the beginning of recorded history, humans have told stories about beings with super-human strength, super-sonic speed, and supernatural abilities. The ancients had heroic tales about Zeus, Thor, and Hanuman while today we have superhero stories about Superman, Batman, and Spider-man. Mythologists say these epic stories resemble each other because they may have all come from a common set of oral legends created eons ago by our earliest ancestors. But might there be another, more otherworldly reason that the world's heroic myths are so similar? Is it possible, as many Ancient Astronaut Theorists contend, that these stories are actually based on extraordinary-- and possibly extraterrestrial--beings that lived on Earth in the distant past?

There are those who believe that the evolution of technology is not entirely of our own making. Ancient Astronaut theorists contend that it is by extraterrestrial design that we have become so technologically interconnected--and that we are being watched by beings from beyond our world. Do stories from the ancient past hold evidence of alien overseers? The Book of Enoch describes divine entities called the Watchers descending to Earth to monitor humankind and aid in our advancement. Inca legend states that the god Viracocha created humans and taught them astronomy, agriculture and other advanced arts. The Maya civilization believed their supreme god Kukulkan taught humans writing, mathematics and science. In ancient Chinese legend, the divine ruler Huang Di introduced numerous advancements such as the wheel, weaving and writing. Could it be that our increased reliance on computers, cell phones, tablets, and the Internet is the product of extraterrestrial design?

Stories of strange encounters accompany many of history's major events. Is it merely coincidence? Or might it be evidence of extraterrestrial intervention? In ancient myths from cultures around the globe, gods are often portrayed intervening in human affairs. The Sumerian gods are said to have created mankind; the Hebrews believe God gave Moses man's first laws, the Ten Commandments, and the angel Gabriel reportedly shared divine wisdom with the prophet Muhammad. But is it possible that these supernatural visitations were not actually the work of the gods--but rather a race of extraterrestrials using advanced technology to create and shape our civilization? Ancient Astronaut Theorists believe aliens may have helped guide mankind in the remote past--and that evidence for this stunning conclusion can be found sprinkled throughout human history.

India's Sanskrit texts are filled with incredible stories about advanced technology in the ancient world. Highly complex building techniques, brain surgery, flying crafts, and even nuclear physics are described with uncanny accuracy. Hindu scholars attribute this knowledge to a time when "gods" walked among men. Might this period of time actually be referring to an age when extraterrestrials inhabited the planet? Giorgio A. Tsoukalos travels to India to further explore the Sanskrit texts, as well as the structures and technology that have stood the test of time. From a temple that inexplicably survived a major earthquake to evidence of ancient brain surgery and instructions for advanced flying machines, Giorgio studies the sacred knowledge that is said to have come directly from the voices of the gods.

It has been called the key to the universe and possibly the most important scientific breakthrough of all time. Could the so-called "God Particle" reveal the truth about our origins? And might clues to its significance have been left here on Earth thousands of years ago by extraterrestrial beings? The age-old question, "where did we come from?" remains a mystery, but in 2012, scientists at CERN laboratory announced the discovery of the "God Particle"--the subatomic particle that is believed to give mass to matter--and offers a closer understanding of just how the universe began. The discovery seemingly pitted science against religion. But could science and religion actually be kindred spirits? Many ancient religions and mythologies describe the origins of the universe in ways very similar to today's scientific explanations and proclaim that this information was given to them by otherworldy beings.

It was mankind's finest hour, the greatest technological achievement of the 20th Century--the Apollo 11 mission to the Moon. But the Apollo program was short-lived, and after Apollo 17 in 1972, we never went back. Could it be that we encountered something--or someone--on the Moon? Did the Apollo astronauts witness more than NASA wants us to know? The Moon is the most visible celestial body in the night sky and is essential to life on Earth. But what if the Moon is not the natural object we believe it to be? Unidentified lunar objects in NASA photography may point to extraterrestrial structures on the moon, and possibly evidence of what lies beneath the surface. Some Ancient Astronaut theorists have even suggested that the Moon is actually an artificial object, placed in its current position by otherworldly beings thousands of years ago.

The ancient site of Teotihuacan in central Mexico--which the Aztecs called the "City of the Gods"--is one of the world's greatest mysteries. To this day, no one knows who built the metropolis or what happened to its occupants, but based on evidence that has recently been unearthed, Ancient Astronaut theorists suggest it was once home to a highly advanced, perhaps extraterrestrial, civilization. The many structures that still stand in Teotihuacan appear to be encoded with advanced mathematical and cosmic principles, and the layout precisely mirrors the positions of the planets in our solar system. Modern excavations at the site have unearthed discoveries of liquid mercury, walls lined with mica, and strange golden-spheres containing unknown substances--all of which are out of place in the ancient world. Could these artifacts be the remnants of an alien society? Perhaps even an extraterrestrial spaceport?

It is a story told in more than twelve hundred cultures around the world--the gods sent a great flood to wipe out humanity for its disobedient and wicked ways. Do these numerous creation myths point to an actual deluge, one that engulfed the world and spared only a chosen few? New evidence suggests that many fabled aspects of these flood myths may, in fact, be true. From traces of a major meteor impact in the Indian Ocean, to a worldwide ash layer, and even remnants of Noah's gravesite, scientists are starting to put the pieces of a very deadly puzzle together--a puzzle that some believe was created by extraterrestrial beings. Did humanity narrowly escape extinction? And are the ancient stories correct--that alien beings are the reason we survived? Ancient Astronaut Theorists believe they are--and that celestial beings are poised to save us again when another catastrophe sweeps across the Earth.

Across ancient civilizations, the world's mountains were viewed as the sacred home to all-powerful gods. Why would so many different cultures share this belief that mountains had a connection to otherworldly beings? The Greeks believed their most powerful gods, the Olympians, waged an epic war for control of the universe from Mt. Olympus. Ruins of a 4000-year-old observatory discovered on a mountain in Macedonia reveal that the ancients tracked celestial movements from on high with remarkable precision. And in Peru, the descendants of the Incans continue an ancient pilgrimage tradition in order to commune with mountain spirits known as Apu. Could these gods have been extraterrestrials? Did they use remote mountain peaks to interact with early man? Might this explain why humans have been drawn to mountains for thousands of years?

The Great Sphinx in Giza is the largest and most studied monolithic sculpture on Earth, yet it remains one of humanities greatest mysteries. This ancient monolith defies explanation, pre-dates our earliest known civilizations and may hide the secrets of our very origins. While mainstream archeology theorizes that the Sphinx was built around 2500 BC, geological evidence suggests it is much older. If this is true, then who--or what--created the Sphinx? Researchers are now proposing the existence of a second, twin Sphinx on the Giza Plateau. If so, has it been deliberately hidden from mankind? The face of the Sphinx is believed to represent Egyptian pharaoh Khafra, yet the size and proportion of the massive carving suggests the head has been altered. Could the statue have originally represented an otherworldly being that came to Earth some 10,000 years ago, as Ancient Astronaut theorists propose?

The use of mantras and chanting to connect with a higher plane has existed in cultures all over the world dating back thousands of years, but why would people who had no contact with each other all subscribe to this practice? Could there be certain frequencies that connect us with greater--perhaps extraterrestrial--forces? Researchers have found that dozens of megalithic sites stretching across the globe--like the prehistoric Newgrange monument in Ireland, the chiseled labyrinths underneath the island of Malta, and the giant temple complex of Angkor Wat in Cambodia--were all designed to emanate the exact same frequency. The planets in our solar system each give off a distinct sound, and certain places on Earth, like Taos, New Mexico, have been found to produce a hum from an unknown source. Might the best evidence of alien intervention on Earth be found not with our eyes... but with our ears?

The U.S. military has long denied that the infamous 1947 Roswell crash was anything other than a weather balloon, but FBI files released in 2011 include a memo to J. Edgar Hoover regarding the recovery of not one, but three "flying saucers." Could the U.S. government really have extraterrestrial crafts in their possession? Ancient Astronaut theorists say yes, and claim that Roswell is just the tip of the iceberg. Over a dozen other UFO crashes were reported all across the world around the same time as Roswell, and it is rumored that the wreckage from these incidents was retrieved and hidden away at secret military bases like Area 51 in Nevada, Kapustin Yar in Russia, Pine Gap in Australia, Rudloe Manor in England, and even in the remote hills of China. But if true, what happened to these alien spaceships?

The Reptilian alien is a fixture of science-fiction, from H.P. Lovecraft's tales of Valusians to the Cardassians in Star Trek, to the Visitors of the television series V. But could ancient myths about reptilian creatures provide evidence that they are more than just a pop-culture creation? Legends of serpent beings can be found on every continent. The Bible, the Quran and the ancient texts known as the Nag Hammadi codices all describe reptilian entities interacting with humans. In Mexico and Central America people worshiped the feather serpent god called Kukulkan or Quetzalcoatl. In India, the Nagas are half-human half-reptile gods who live underground in a place called Patala. And in China and Japan, many emperors claim to be the descendants of dragons. Could these stories represent real Reptilian beings that people all over the world actually encountered in the ancient past?

The ancient site of Gobekli Tepe challenges everything modern archaeologists believe about mankind's past. The megalithic stone complex was built over 12,000 years ago, which dates it to 6,500 years before Stonehenge, and 5,000 years before the first known civilization was said to have emerged in Mesopotamia. Mainstream archaeologists believe that humans were roaming the Earth as simple hunter-gatherers at this time, but if so, how could they have built such incredible structures? Might they have had help from a more advanced - perhaps extraterrestrial - civilization? According to Ancient Astronaut Theorists, the site serves as the smoking gun for a lost civilization - one whose survivors may have built the site to preserve important information about otherworldly visitors. Does the site offers clues about our extraterrestrial past that the ancients felt compelled to preserve for future generations?

All over the world there are megalithic stone structures whose construction baffle stonecutters, scientists and archeologists. Is it possible that ancient humans managed to move and cut these gigantic rocks with the help of alien technology? From the 3,000 megalithic stones in the French village of Carnac to the precision-cut blocks at Puma Punku in Peru to the 12,000 year-old circular structures of Gobekli Tepe, carved multi-ton megaliths are found throughout ancient cultures. Yet the mystery of how the stones were cut and moved to build these formations remains. One possible answer may be found at Coral Castle, Florida, where in the 1930s an anti-gravity device was allegedly used to move 30-ton coral blocks to create the giant sculpted gardens. Massive stone ruins mark what we believe to be ancient burial sites, temples and astronomical observatories--but how these megaliths were built cannot be explained.

Within 20 years, we are expecting to send the first colonizers to the Red Planet. Astronauts will brave the six-month journey to become the first extraterrestrials visitors to Mars--where they are expected to live and die there, never to return to Earth. But why have we always had a strange fascination with this particular planet? The latest NASA research has revealed that not only is there evidence of liquid water on the planet, but that life on Earth was most likely seeded on Mars. Ancient Astronaut theorists even suggest that the development of life on Earth may have similarities to how scientists are currently planning to keep humans alive on the red planet. Could extraterrestrials from Mars have colonized Earth in our remote past? Could our voyage to Mars not only unlock the mysteries of our ancient, extraterrestrial origins--but also be the key to the long-term survival of the human species?

There is evidence that suggests we experienced 20th century alien contact. In 1942, the Battle of Los Angeles involved the US military and Air Defense allegedly fighting a UFO. WWII Allied Air Force planes were buzzed by balls of light that some think could have been extraterrestrial. And the alleged crash of a flying saucer in Roswell, New Mexico in 1947 propelled the world into the age of UFOs. For decades, some people have been searching for the sounds of extraterrestrial intelligence, while others have been sending messages out into deep space. What would happen if aliens answered... or came calling? What protocols exist to determine who would speak on behalf of mankind, and how might we communicate? What happens if they return? Some believe they already have.

A 2,000-year-old computer... a power plant inside the Great Pyramid... and a Nazi-era time machine with roots in the ancient history. Throughout the world, there are artifacts and stories that point to advanced technology in the distant past. Could these devices be products of our ancestors' imaginations or might ancient man have had access to extraterrestrial technology? Were ancient Egyptians able to generate electricity, perhaps even illuminating the corridors of the royal tombs with electric light bulbs? Did top-ranking Nazis secretly develop a time-travel machine that was used as an escape vehicle after their defeat in Europe? Could the Ark of the Covenant have been a sonic weapon? Many of the world's most mysterious devices have been here for thousands of years. Could they have been built with the help of extraterrestrial beings?

Throughout history, prophets and visionaries have claimed to be able to telepathically access knowledge and information that would ultimately steer the course of human history. But if true, where do these individuals get their visions? According to ancient mythologies, there is a universal repository of knowledge known as the Akashic Record. While most mainstream scholars relegate this to the realm of mythology, recent scientific discoveries have opened the possibility that such a repository could actually exist--and is accessible by the human mind. Giorgio A. Tsoukalos meets with neuroscientist Dr. Dario Nardi to measure the brainwaves of Dr. Deepak Chopra as he enters a state of deep meditation to observe the physical chnges in the brain as he connects or taps into something beyond ourselves. Could our ability to tap into the Akashic Record lead to the next giant leap in human evolution--and connect us to other intelligent beings throughout the cosmos?

Nearly every year archaeologists and anthropologists make discoveries that require revisions to our history books. But there are numerous artifacts that are outright ignored because they don't fit into the accepted scientific paradigm. Could clues about our extraterrestrial origins be hidden in these discarded pieces of our past? Shocking evidence has recently been revealed that challenges the accepted dating of the Great Pyramid. An ancient hammer found in Texas that dates back 140 million years is ignored by mainstream archaeologists. And unexplainable elongated skulls have been found on nearly every continent of the world that science refuses to test. Could we be on the brink of scientific discoveries that the academic community cannot deny? Evidence that reveals the truth of where we really came from, why we are here and if we are alone in the Universe?

Enormous manmade caves... Unexplainable structures... And underwater discoveries that challenge everything we know about the past...Is it possible that an advanced civilization inhabited Earth thousands of years ago? And if so, were they human, or something out of this world? Modern archaeologists are continuously unearthing artifacts and sites that defy the conventional timeline of human history. Throughout the world we find megalithic stone monuments that are attributed to mysterious ancestors, strange humanoid figures that date to pre-historic times, and evidence of ancient underground shelters hewn out of solid rock. Could it be that a sophisticated culture existed on here Earth--thousands and even tens of thousands of years earlier than we believe? Could the stories of a time when gods and otherworldly beings inhabited the planet be more than just mythology?

In 1984, a roll of 35mm film surfaced from an anonymous source that contained pictures of what is now known as the Eisenhower Briefing Document. This document is purported to be a memo sent from the director of the CIA in 1952 to president-elect Dwight Eisenhower, informing him of the existence of a top-secret group within the US government called "The Majestic Twelve." Composed of top scientists, government officials, and military elite, this group's mission was to investigate reports of unidentified flying objects--and to examine crashed extraterrestrial craft. And more recently, in 2002, a major computer hack into Pentagon and NASA computers appears to reveal hard evidence that not only are the Majestic Twelve documents real, but that the government's interaction with extraterrestrials has led to the creation of a secret space program, that has already established bases on the moon, Mars, and other celestial bodies.

Billions of dollars have been spent in our quest to find an "other Earth." Since the launch of the Kepler Telescope in 2009, scientists have identified thousands of planets capable of supporting life. Is it possible that this discovery finally answers the age-old question: "Are we alone in the universe?" Could it be that just as we seek out other habitable planets, advanced extraterrestrials from distant galaxies did the same with Earth in the remote past? Throughout world mythologies, there are tales of beings from the stars coming down to Earth. The Dogon tribe in Africa believes their gods came from the Sirius star system. The Maya associated their gods with the Pleiades star cluster. And according to the Hopi tradition, life itself was seeded by celestial beings. Ancient Astronaut theorists propose that not only has our planet been visited by extraterrestrials, but that they are responsible for our very existence.

Erich von Daniken's landmark book, Chariots of the Gods, brought attention to the mysterious phenomena of the Nazca Lines. Hundreds of gigantic lines, some in the shape of animals, geometric patterns and even an alien-like being, extend for miles throughout a remote Peruvian desert. Scholars are divided as to who built them, and why. Some Ancient Astronaut theorists believe that the massive markings have an extraterrestrial connection, and perhaps the ancient people of the region created these gigantic figures in tribute to the gods who visited them. And with one of the largest deposits of nitrates in the world--a key ingredient in rocket fuel and weaponry--could Nazca have been a mining operation for advanced beings in the distant past?

Millions of people around the world believe we have been visited in the past by extraterrestrial beings. What if it were true? This is the question Ancient Astronaut theorists have posed since Erich von Daniken's Chariots of the Gods was first published in 1968; examining scientific, archaeological, astronomical, and historical evidence to find the answer. In recent years, more new evidence has been revealed than ever before that suggests there was extraterrestrial intervention on Earth in the distant past. Satellite images have exposed geoglyphs resembling Nazca lines in Kazakhstan. Ground penetrating radar has detected remnants of ancient technology in Machu Picchu. And thermal scanning has uncovered hidden chambers behind King Tut's tomb that may hold the remains of extraterrestrial beings. Could we be at the tipping point where the overwhelming evidence outweighs any last shred of doubt?

Recent archaeological discoveries reveal a very different picture of what life on Earth looked like in the remote past. It was a real-life version of "Lord of the Rings," where humans shared the planet with various different types of intelligent human-like species, such as Neanderthals, Denisovans, and even hobbits. But how is it that these various hominid species developed separately in isolated pockets of the globe? And why does no fossil evidence exist suggesting a slow gradual delineation from a common species? Ancient Astronaut theorists suggest these different intelligent species seem to have come straight out of the incubator, and that Earth itself may have served as an extraterrestrial laboratory. A laboratory where different human prototypes once existed--but only one species was chosen to survive. Is mankind the result of an extraterrestrial experiment?

Artificial metallic objects dating back hundreds of thousands of years. New discoveries of metals once thought to be mythological. Mysterious metal spheres defying the laws of physics. Could these out of place artifacts be physical evidence of extraterrestrials visiting planet Earth in the distant past, leaving behind remnants of their technology? Ancient Astronaut Theorists Erich von Daniken and Giorgio A. Tsoukalos travel to Romania to take a closer look at an ancient aluminum wedge that has left historians baffled. And investigative journalist, Linda Moulton Howe, travels to Jacksonville, Florida to uncover the secrets of a strange metallic sphere that fell from the sky and garnered the attention of the U.S. Navy. Might evidence of our extraterrestrial past be found in these mysterious and ancient metal objects?

In 2013, former Canadian Minister of Defense, Paul Hellyer, made a shocking claim--that there is a federation of extraterrestrial beings monitoring and guiding humanity. But why would such an esteemed politician make such a controversial announcement? Ancient Astronaut theorists believe evidence can be found throughout history to prove his claims are true. Stories of emperors, kings and pharaohs consulting a pantheon of nine gods can be found in virtually every culture across the globe. Even channeling sessions conducted by CIA scientists in the 1950s connected with an otherworldly group of entities called "The Nine" -- extraterrestrials here to influence the events on Earth. Could there be an intergalactic council of nine secretly working behind the scenes, dictating the course of humanity?

If ancient aliens visited Earth, can evidence of their existence be found in the mysterious structures that still stand throughout the world? Inexplicably, megalithic structures found on different continents are strikingly similar, and the cutting and moving of the massive stones used to build these magnificent feats would be a struggle for modern day machinery, let alone ancient man. Ancient astronaut theorists suggest that the standing stones in Carnac, France were used as an ancient GPS system for ancient flying machines. The recently discovered Gobekli Tepe in Turkey, which has been dated back 12,000 years, has finely chiseled pillars that experts describe as a Noah's Ark in stone. Is it possible that extraterrestrials assisted primitive man in constructing these unexplained structures? If so, what was the purpose of these grand projects?

Over 10,000 crop circles have been reported worldwide, appearing in 50 different countries, and nearly every continent on Earth. These strange designs pressed into crop fields range from simple circles to elaborate pictograms thousand of feet long. The phenomenon has been associated with scientific anomalies, strange lights, and even UFO activity. But critics say that they are all part of an elaborate hoax. But are they? Crop circles have been making modern headlines since the 1960's, but their history can be traced back hundreds--if not thousands of years. The designs themselves often contain encrypted messages and complex mathematical, geometric, and astronomical equations that perplex our top mathematicians and scientists. Ancient Astronaut Theorist, Giorgio Tsoukalos travels to England to meet with researchers and scientists to investigate the phenomenon both on the ground and in the lab to find out what we haven't been told.

If ancient aliens visited Earth in the remote past, could they have given us advanced technology, past down through human history? And could this technology have helped the Third Reich build mysterious weapons and crafts far beyond the limits of 20th century science? During World War II, there were reports that the Germans built an operational flying saucer, known as the Hanebu, which was said to use mythical technology found in ancient Indian texts. Another craft was rumored to have been constructed with the help of psychics and mediums who claimed to have received detailed blueprints from extraterrestrial beings. Is it possible Hitler's quest for world domination was aided and abetted by ancient extraterrestrial technology that was rediscovered? And could the allegedly rebuilt alien devices developed in Germany have played a role in America's ability to land a man on the moon?

Super-heated death rays... High-tech rockets... Powerful sonic weapons... Are these examples of modern day science or could these technologies have originated thousands of years ago? Is it possible that early man possessed scientific knowledge far beyond that of our own century? Ancient texts, folklore and art suggest humans witnessed disc-shaped flying machines and fire-spewing chariots. Could these be accounts of flying saucers and rocket ships? And if so, was advanced technology left here by visitors from the stars? Did mankind's quest to unlock the secrets of levitation, anti-gravity and laser technology merely spring from our imaginations or did these ideas come from otherworldly beings?

Biblical texts and ancient lore frequently describe winged creatures carrying messages from the heavens. But are angels merely the product of mankind's imagination--or do they really exist? If so, where do they come from? Ancient astronaut theorists suggest that the Bible's Old Testament reads like a handbook on extraterrestrial visitations. Accounts of angels can also be found in Islamic and Indian texts. Infinite stories around the globe describe unearthly guardians, entrusted to both observe and protect as well as tales of powerful warriors bringing about everything from plague to peace. Are angels really supernatural beings from heaven, or something more? If so, might angels really be travelers--visiting Earth from distant planets?

He is the evil one, the Prince of Darkness, the ruler of Hell. Satan conjures up horrifying images of a horned beast whose sole purpose is to destroy humanity. Yet there is evidence that the fallen angel we know as Satan may be misunderstood. New interpretations of ancient texts indicate that Satan may have been an extraterrestrial who was more of an ally to humanity than an enemy by passing along knowledge that planted the seed for civilization. Could Satan's reputation as the personification of evil be his punishment for leading early man out of darkness and ignorance? If so, might his evil acts really be expressions of revenge against the human creatures that abandoned him? Or are the devilish deeds associated with Satan part of a grand plan? A series of moral challenges intended to prepare us for our next, and perhaps final... close encounter?

Massive stone structures that reach to the heavens... strange, giant figures buried deep in the Earth... and energy emitting spheres connected around the globe... What compelled ancient man to move colossal stones, in some cases weighing thousands of pounds, and to build remarkably similar stone monuments all around the world? From the jungles of Costa Rica to England's rural countryside, ancient people achieved extraordinary feats of construction without advanced tools or technology. Is it possible that extraterrestrials instructed the ancients to build these complex structures? Or were our ancestors driven to create these monoliths in order to reconnect with celestial travelers who once walked the Earth? Could ancient monoliths hold advanced, extraterrestrial powers we have yet to realize? And if so, just what will happen when we unlock the mystery of the monoliths?

In August of 2014, Russian cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station discovered something incredibly unexpected covering parts of the windows--living sea plankton. If sea life can thrive in space, might the reverse be true as well? Might there be alien life forms that inhabit our seas? Throughout history, there have been tales of strange creatures hiding in Earth's waters. While many discount stories of sea monsters as purely mythological, it is estimated that Earth's oceans are home to between 700,000 to one million species--and shockingly, two-thirds of those species still remain unknown. Considering the recent discovery that some sea life can survive in outer space, is it possible that tales of giant creatures like the Kraken and The Loch Ness Monster are evidence of extraterrestrial entities taking refuge beneath the seas?

Throughout human history, the planet Mars has captured our imagination. Ancient Egyptian astronomers were the first to record the red planet on a chart of the cosmos known as the Senenmut star map. Scholars believe Mars played an important role in Maya astrology that's described in the Dresden Codex. And modern translation of Sumerian and Babylonian origin myths record a cataclysmic event occurring on Mars. Is our fascination with Mars simply because of its striking red color and prominence in the night sky? Or might we have a more profound extraterrestrial connection? For nearly 40 years, probes have been sending information about Mars back to scientists here on Earth. Photographs of the mysterious planet reveal mountain-like formations known as Twin Peaks and a strange, humanoid face carved into Martian rock. Has NASA found definitive signs of life on Mars that they're intentionally keeping from the public?

Ancient Astronaut theorists have suggested that many of the divine beings depicted in cultures throughout the world are not really divine--or mythological--but instead reflect extraterrestrial visitations that our ancestors did not understand. If true, what can account for all the different types of beings that are depicted, from anthropomorphic birds and reptiles, to gods with blue skin to multi-limbed humanoids? Might there have been numerous alien species inhabiting Earth? Could the accounts given by modern day alien abductees be evidence that these otherworldly entities continue to visit Earth to this day? And is it possible that they all have a common ancestor? In 1928, archaeologist Julio Tello discovered the Paracas skulls of Peru--elongated heads with cranial volumes at least 25% larger than the largest known human skulls. Some believe that these remains are of extraterrestrial origin.

They were teachers and destroyers. Mighty warriors who blazed across the skies in gleaming chariots and wielded magical weapons that could bring down mountains. Odin, Frey and Thor. The gods worshipped by the Norse Vikings were fearsome and mysterious, but were these beings truly divine, or is there, perhaps, an extraterrestrial connection? The Norse were among the most technologically advanced cultures of the ancient world. They were epic explorers who embarked on oceanic voyages to Africa and the Middle East and even reached North America at least 500 years before Christopher Columbus. Were the Norse guided by powerful gods, or could the super-beings that guided the Vikings have actually been visitors from another planet?

The Ark of the Covenant is one of the most sought after religious relics of all times and far more than just a box that contained the Ten Commandments. The biblical stories surrounding the Ark speak of a device with divine powers that was able to produce food, take down stonewalls, kill those that come in contact with it, and provide direct communication to God. Are these stories mere myth? Or did the Ark of the Covenant possess extraordinary powers? What happened to this incredible relic? Could it still be hidden? Are we getting close to a rediscovery--and reactivation--of the Ark? And if so, will the Ark of the Covenant reveal a long, lost connection to our extraterrestrial past?

Mysterious surgeries performed by early humans... Strange beings with miraculous powers... And a cover up--destroying centuries of scientific knowledge. Are recent breakthroughs in medicine the result of years of research? Or does the knowledge of healing really come from an otherworldly source? Evidence of advanced medical procedures practiced in the ancient world has been found everywhere from carvings on the walls of temples to actual skeletal remains. But just who were the practitioners of this extraordinary science? And where did their knowledge of the human body come from? Accounts from various cultures describe similar divine, birdlike figures that brought advanced medical knowledge to mankind thousands of years ago. Who--or what--were these ancient surgeons? Is it possible that these Gods may have been extraterrestrial beings that came to Earth to teach humans how to heal themselves?

Mysterious places can be found around the Earth, and, inexplicably, UFOs are often sited near these mystical areas. Planes and ships unaccountably disappear in the infamous Bermuda Triangle. Strange magnetic anomalies in Mexico's Zone of Silence have not only drawn missiles off their course, but seem to pull meteorites out of the sky. An ancient doorway carved into a sheer rock wall in Peru's Puerta de Hayu Marka is said to be a portal to other worlds. Markawasi's plateau is filled with strange rock formations allegedly left behind by an ancient advanced civilization. What connections do these and other "hot spots" share? Is it possible that ancient extraterrestrials also knew about these mysterious places?

The Civil War nearly destroyed the great experiment known as the United States of America, but is it possible that the preservation of the republic was influenced by extraterrestrial beings? Abraham Lincoln described strange visions and premonitions that occur before pivotal moments in his presidency. Union officer Ambrose Bierce wrote about mysterious disappearances and inter-dimensional travel. And a ghostly image of George Washington was witnessed by hundreds of soldiers at Gettysburg–prompting an official government investigation. Is it possible that extraterrestrials were present during the Civil War? If so, were they simply passive observers, waiting to see if our fragile democracy could survive this test? Or did they take an active roll in order to preserve the Union?

Strange rock carvings from 8,000 B.C. Unexplained sightings in the new world. And a frightening anomaly plaguing the American West. Is there more to America's past than is found in our history books? Could the mysterious stories and relics found throughout the United States be evidence of extraterrestrial contact in the distant past? In 1909, the Phoenix Gazette reported the finding of a strange man-made cave filled with ancient objects and mummies. Could there be a connection between the mysterious cave and the legend of Native American ancestors called "Star Beings?" Strange lights and unexplained weather anomalies were documented throughout colonial America. Is there evidence that early American settlers had close encounters with extraterrestrial entities? Could UFO sightings and reports of alien contact be part of America's untold history?

Good and Evil. Light and Dark. God and Satan. In nearly every culture there are stories of opposing forces at work here on Earth--forces of a supernatural or otherworldly nature. Could these forces really exist? And if so, what is the true nature of the dark forces? Throughout history, there have been individuals accused of being in league with agents of darkness. The infamous mad monk Rasputin believed he served as a conduit for an otherworldly realm, the Nazi SS were said to have tapped into dark powers through ancient symbols, and famed occultist Aleister Crowley claimed to have summoned a non-human entity through the use of dark magic. Is it possible the entities these men claimed to be in touch with were, in fact, extraterrestrials? And might humans serve as the pawns in a cosmic battle between the forces of light and dark?

Incredible strength... Superior intelligence... And even the ability to reproduce. In the 21st century, robots are being programmed to do everything from performing surgery on humans--to exploring other planets. And humanoid robots are rapidly reaching a level of sophistication that was thought to exist only in science fiction. But what are the implications of creating robots that are increasingly intelligent and independent? Is the obsession with creating counterfeit humans really pointing the way to mankind's future... or to its past? Greek stories dating to 2000 B.C. tell of the god Hephaestus creating robots to build weapons, as well as the bronze giant Talos. In Egypt, the Pyramid Texts say that the god Osiris was dismembered, then reassembled and brought back to life just like a machine. If sophisticated robots really did exist in the ancient world--what function did they serve? Who built them? And what happened to them?

In 1975, Travis Walton claims to have been abducted and taken aboard a space ship inhabited by extraterrestrial beings. Several people witnessed his encounter and nearly 40 years later Walton's story of alien abduction, missing time and mind-telepathy manipulation has not wavered. But researchers say that abductions are not a modern phenomenon. The Hebrew Bible is filled with stories of abductions by otherworldly beings. Jonah, Moses, Ezekiel and Enoch all depict what can best be described as physically being taken to other dimensions and then returned. Is it possible that extraterrestrial beings have been abducting humans for thousands of years and if so, might there be an alien agenda behind the phenomena?

Extraterrestrials are almost always envisioned as humanoid, but is this an egocentric concept? Could it be that intelligent alien life looks much different from us, and that some extraterrestrials more closely resemble other animals? And is it possible that many of the animals that roam the Earth have otherworldly origins? By examining ancient cultures around the world, we find that nearly all revered certain animals and depicted their gods with animal traits. The Sanskrit epics of India feature gods in the form of elephants, monkeys, and snakes. The Sumerians depicted gods with bird heads and wings. And in Egypt, not only did they portray many of the gods with animal features, but they even went so far as to mummify their animals. Ancient Astronaut theorists suggest that certain animals may not have developed through Darwinian evolution, but were planted here by alien visitors.

Stories of civilizations large and small disappearing without a trace can be found throughout history and across the globe. From a previously unknown civilization in China, a vanished race of giants, to the unexplained disappearances of the Classic Maya and the Anasazi--elements of these disappearances cannot be completely explained by conventional scholars. Although these cultures have vanished from the face of the Earth, they have left behind intriguing clues--clues, some say point to an otherworldly explanation. And if entire groups have been taken off planet, might there be a connection with sites connected to mysterious vanishings of people, planes, and boats in various locations throughout the world? Could examining these disappearances lead us to not only uncover evidence of extraterrestrial intervention in our remote past, but also reveal the consequences for the future of the human race?

Unearthly visitations... Heavenly messengers... Close encounters... Accounts of humans interacting with celestial beings have existed since the beginning of mankind. Many of these encounters resulted in moral, philosophical and artistic inspirations. But did these contacts involve ethereal beings from heaven or extraterrestrials from other worlds? Are holy books the word of God, or guidebooks passed down by more advanced civilizations? Who told Joan of Arc how to defeat the English Army--saints or extraterrestrials? Could a young boy from India have learned advanced mathematical formulas from a Hindu goddess? What message did an American serviceman receive while touching an alien aircraft? If the Ancient astronaut theory is correct, then are beings from other worlds communicating with us for our benefit... or theirs? Just what is the purpose of these alien contacts?