Two great mysteries dominate the minds of anthropologists and prehistorians: the achievements (in various fields) of so-called primitive or ancient man; and the strange but rapid development of skill and intelligence in man (from homo erectus to homo sapiens). These themes are not new to our study but they are worthy of reiteration – in the above form.
     On a basic level there are the huge and precise constructions which we, as modern man, have tried to emulate with all our present technical know-how – and failed.  But it is not only the huge structures; it is also the unexplained techniques our distant forebears possessed which enabled them to cut, polish, precisely calculate, hollow out small artefacts, as witness for example the stone jars with narrow necks and  stone coffins.  We simply still do not know how they were achieved.  Did ancient civilisations know about electricity – and how to produce and use it: in drills?

Development of Man

     Conventional history teaches that man, recognisable as human, appeared on this earth about 5,000, 000 years ago; that he developed slowly from animal form and animal intelligence; and until comparatively recently, say 5,000 BC, there was little evidence of intelligent civilised  behaviour.  After approximately this date, wonders of the world appeared.  We have mentioned this before but it is so important that I make no apologies for restatement: it is the comparative rapidity of man`s development, in many areas of endeavour. However I suggest that the chief  puzzle lies in the fact of the enormous disparity (in skill and intelligence) between man and his nearest “cousins” : the ape family.  No where do we see evidence of an evolving species – as we should do if for example Darwinian theory is followed. And why did we who became homo sapiens come down from the trees in the first place? We were all the same at one time,surely, according to accepted evolutionary theory.  Why us? We should ask.
     Much archeological and palaelothic evidence apears to indicate that ancient man possessed skills and knowledge we do not possess today.  It seems as if over millenia through a series of catastrophes or through simple degeneration, mankind has lost certain abilities which he may be just be rediscovering now. In a phrase which epitomises our present condition, we may be a species suffering from “collective amnesia” (see Hancock, FINGERPRINTS OF THE GODS).

Degeneration

     According to some sources, mankind began to degenerate from a high standard of achievement from the moment our “teachers” and “masters” left earth to return to their own planet. (more on this idea later) Inescapably we must draw the conclusion that this advanced and esoteric (for the times) knowledge came down to the human race from another world. It is admittedly a bold theory – but it does explain many mysteries: the origin of intelligent man, biblical allusion and references in other more ancient writings.
     To the student of history (or prehistory) it does appear that many very early achievements had no antecedents to indicate a long evolutionary period of  trial and error; a step by step improvement, capitalising on past experience. Because of this (or partly so) some writers believe that “rudimentary” man was transformed or “mutated” (as we have mentioned) by spacetravellers, astronauts, call them what you will, in order to make them more intelligent (the better to fulfill a hidden agenda.) More on this also, later. Not all were thus mutated, is clear. It seems as if only selected strains were elevated.

     Without doubt we are in the initial stages of acceptance of the above scenarios. It is a healthy sign that we are indeed doing so due in no small measure to modern scrutiny of religious texts – and the conclusions that open-minded examination of these can bring. It seems to me that we are indeed nearer to understanding what we are  -  where we are going  and where we came from. Our perennial deep interest in space may be testimony to our true origins.  I believe a quote from Freer (P. 144) is apposite at this stage:
     “We all know [privately] that we can`t go off into space looking for contact  with other races until we know who and what we are. We can`t seek mature contact and association with alien species until we have matured past our racial adolescence .”

PERSPECTIVE

     As Marston points out in his THE BIBLE COMES ALIVE, (p. 15), “man`s progress has not been one of steady consistent advance [as we have earlier recognised] …human civilisation has been marked by progress and later declination…” Revelations from the unseen and unknowable  were once a salient feature of writings contained in the Bible. Maybe these revelations came not from the God but from  seeming gods, humanity`s masters.
     An interesting, cautionary thought is derived from the same source – (Marston).This is that we approach the Creation narratives with too great a sense of superior knowledge. We tend to forget that when we read “the” bible in English, especially modern, we are reading translations of archaic  Hebrew (or other archaic language) made by scholars who did not possess our knowledge of the Universe. This was bound as Marston says, to affect their rendering of the originals. A very pertinent question may be asked: “what if the original words contain a far wider meaning than is conveyed to us in our English texts?”
     Some of these English texts speak as we know ,of giants being on the earth in those days. Other texts maybe finding the word “Nephilim” too difficult to translate, leave it as it is: Nephilim. One explanation advanced for giantism, as we have seen, is the greater proximity of the Sun and Moon then, which exerted a greater gravitational pull on the earth. According to this line of thought, Adam is but collective name for the first race who were/may have been, the giants living in a golden Age – (in Eden). Eventually the stature of mankind diminished but some giant races, we gather, took a long time to die out. Remains and relics of the giants are occsionally found and their huge weapons. It may be thought that folk or race memories of giants (as in fairy tales) provide the most telling evidence of their quondam existence.

SPACE BEINGS

     Developing this line of thought, highly civilised beings from space landed on Earth aeons ago and disrupted the equable life style of the indigenous giants; revolts did ensue and some “humans” sought shelter underground – (as witness the many mysterious caves and tunnel complexes seen vitually all over the world.) It may be that several parties of spacetravellers came to Earth from different planets over millenia. Eventually space travel ceased; maybe because conditions on Earth chamged for the worse. Catastrophes ensued, deterioration became the lot of mankind and a long slow march to a skilled civilisation had to begin. The Golden Age had departed.
     Ancient chronicles tell of the early inhabitants of Earth, building a tower to reach the sky but it was destroyed by “the gods” who also introduced a plurality of languages in order to confuse. A mysterious figure is often mentioned in the ancient texts called Oannes who imparted wisdom and skills to man; could he have been a spaceman?
     The above matter suggests strongly that there was indeed at one time a war between spacemen and the earth giants.Let us look at Genesis which consists  of stories orally transmitted and written down centuries later by Moses (?) in order to inspire, Subject to exegetical scrutiny scholars have been able to identity two distinct authors. In the story of  Adam the Lord drove him out of Eden.  Reading Genesis one may come to the conclusion that “the Lord” was none other than a spaceman. Interpreted allegorically Adam is regarded as representative of the giants generally.The Book of Enoch (a descendant of Adam) describes how degenerate man had become and how man fought with the gods/Gods. The meetings with Abraham or Moses with the Lord (spaceman?)  to give them guidance is related in chapters of Genesis.

MEANING OF “GOD”

     Basically, the question to be asked is: what do we mean by God? With Drake (MESSENGERS FROM THE STARS), we concur that God the Creator cannot be the same Being who landed on earth and took an interest in the affairs of a small nation. It must be that the early Hebrews were befriended by Space beings. “The Lord of Genesis was probably a commander of a (Venusian?) spacefleet quelling rebellion on earth” (24) Concluding his section on this theme, Drake makes the point that accumulated traditions from every country reviewed in the light of our new knowledge seem to tell the same story of spacemen visiting our Earth long ago. Allegorically, Adam is representative of the giants generally – as we have mentioned.
     With Drake we may ask if it were indeed the sons of space beings and the daughters of men who erected the huge megaliths found around the world?

War in Heaven

     The biblical relation of “war in heaven” possibly/probably refers to the conflict between gods and giants in which legend relates that the gods/Gods defeated the giants; eventually conditions on earth became inimical to the space beings with the result that they abandoned the earth and became spasmodic visitors only. The really important issue here is that people remembered their overlords from the skies who had taught them so much and DEIFIED THEM AS GODS. Certainly as we have hinted before, all nations seem to share a belief in a Golden Age in remote times and in catastrophes capable of changing the climate and destroying civilisations. The word God thus has two meanings: “the Absolute imagining the  universe… and the local `gods` who originate from some advanced planet and from time to time manifest themselves among men”. (Drake. MESSENGERS p. 215) In ancient times, all the planets were identified with Gods “celestials in human form” who descended to earth to teach mankind. Extra-terrestials may have used the earth as a space station while exploring our galaxy. These visitors from outer space may have come from Uranus or Saturn or any of the planets (as we know them). It has been suggested by more than one expert that Jesus “the Master from Venus” was delivered to earth in a space satellite or shuttle which came from Saturn. It is instructive to see in legends throughout the world how often (sacred) mountains appear from which instruction is handed down; it is hard not to belief that spaceships did not land there. These world stories feature personages such as Zeus, Jupiter, Marduk (see later) who now serve as a generic name for spacemen from Jupiter…or wherever.

GOLDEN AGE

     Ancient texts all seem to speak of  a First Time or Golden Age, of gods and giants, of a time of peace and beauty, and of periods when war dominated (usually between gods and giants) suggesting a time when Space Kings ruled the earth and its civilisations, indicating strongly that ancient nations possessed a common origin. Often it is evident that some civilisations not only believed in a Golden Age but a subsequent time when Heroes and then superhuman kings ruled. Not only are these features found in secular writings but also in what may be termed as religious or philosophical material. Indeed, the biblical story as seen in Genesis can be interpreted in “space man” terms. It may be for instance that the intangible spirit that drove “Adam” out of “Eden” was in fact a Space Being; such an interpretation tends in truth to make more sense  than traditional responses.
     However, the point we are attempting to make  at this juncture is that mankind has declined from a high standard (of skill, of expertise, of knowledge); he has in short deteriorated. But why? Because of the cataclysms and catastrophes that have periodically puctuated his existence – as we have mentioned earlier. Some of these were caused by comets; some by severe climate change, as in the last ice age about 10,000 years ago. One of the most intriguing of these fundamental events is the speculation that the then rulers of earth left this planet when chaos reigned and climate radically changed and went back to their own planet in some distant solar system leaving man to create or build up his civilisation anew. It does seem as if man has had to climb back to his erstwhile level. He has had on several occasions to struggle out of the near barbarism catastrophes have occasioned. All this of course happened in far antiquity but in the light of our present awareness (and knowledge) of  possible extraterrestial activity and maybe visitation, credence may be placed in it.
     Ancient literature indicates that indeed god-like beings, or a God Being did intervene in human affairs from about 3000 BC to nearly AD. Creation stories obviously relating to a very remote time abound in their smilitude. Similar themes tell of wonderful beings from the skies who ruled earth in its golden age, “mated with the daughters of men, sired Heroes, warring against the giants, spanning the heavens in aerial cars [ see Ezekiel] flashing death rays, hurling super bombs, slaying fiery dragons, and as catastrophes convulsed the earth, the Celestials returned to the stars.” (Drake, GODS AND SPACEMEN, p. 211)  As Drake relates, before earth was formed, fierce war was waged between the Gods and the Giants  - a tale encountered in much ancient literature especially Scandinavian, Germanic and Icelandic. These northern peoples believed in a time when the Giants, Gods and other supranatural beings would be destroyed – probably in some cataclysm. Then the Almighty would create a new earth fruitful for new men and their new evolutionary climb. Surely, says Drake, “those people in far antiquity who could create wonderful literature …were heirs to a great and profound culture inspired by Celestials from the stars”. (p. 221)

BIBLE NARRATIVES

     Of course, the Bible is part of the corpus of this ancient literature (not by any means as old as some) and its creation story is as interesting as any encountered. One of the many problems facing the serious reader of the text is the evident and expected distortion  due to translations (and mistranslations) through the ages. In particular is the difficulty posed by the Old Testament, which is a translation (of a translation!) from original Hebrew, which itself is an archaic form.
     However, understanding difficulties should not deter us from biblical study. Reading the Scriptures, one may get a certain view of how man evolved; reading Darwin would lead to another. The Theory of Evolution derived from the “Origin of Species” and seemed/seems very plausible. In this thought process, little regard was paid to the Bible – and history! The sciences of archaeology and  anthropology have thrown a great deal of light on this vexed subject. An idea we have possibly entertained before (and in the event, deserves reiteration) is that we may generally approach the Creation narrative with, as Marston remarks too great a sense of superior knowledge (quoted above). As we may recall Marston asking (and returning to our earlier theme of translation problems:
,  “what if,” said Marston, “the original words contain a far wider meaning than is conveyed to us in our English text?” (THE BIBLE COMES ALIVE, p. 22) An intriguing speculation. Recalling our mention of archaeology, all excavations in lands associated with the Old Testament show how advanced their civilisations were before the days of Abraham (born about 2200 BC). Much of the biblical narrative, events, nations and so on, are indeed authenticated by archaeological evidence and modern research. There is a great deal to be adduced in favour of the thesis advanced in the earlier chapters of Part 2 most of which is inimical to accepted theological and religious belief. However it must be emphasised that there are two sides to every  speculation (if such it be) and for every Drake and Sitchin there is a Marston who claims that THE BIBLE IS TRUE (a book title.)
     Summing up the position of Marston and others of like persuasion, I can do no better than quote his paragraph (on p. 67; in his chapter on Joshua.)

“The main purpose of Old Testament history is to record God`s dealings with His Chosen People, and to trace events to moral and spiritual causes. These are commonly passed over by world historians who present external causes and ignore internal ones. It is due to the science of archaeology and the information it has gleaned from monuments, that we now have knowledge of a number of external causes that throw light upon the Sacred Narrative.”

     The theme of knowledge possessed by ancient civilisations was the main thread of the opening paragraphs. Have we lost abilities we once had? The evolution of mankind after a slow start seemed very rapid; was man mutated at some time in his history? Darwinian theory was next examined in the light of recent research. One difficulty in reading biblical accounts is the problem of translation change through the ages.  We have no originals. Next we discussed the concept of beings from space who once may have colonised the earth. Was “God” an astronaut and the “gods” extraterrestrials? What exactly is the meaning we give to god and what the meaning of god/s to ancient peoples? This led us on to a consideration of the apparent rise and fall of civilisations: why does this occur? Is it because of catastrophes and cataclysms that befell the earth and its nations? We are entitled to examine the Bible (and disagree with its accounts ) but we should also attempt to examine its veracity as well. It must be said, that many archaeological  discoveries seem to prove the historicity of Bible accounts.
     The next chapter will discuss the theme of civilisations, their rise, zenith and decline; the dominance that some achieved.  The ideas of Sitchin are discussed – very pertinent to the later stages of our discussion. Is modern science in the nature of a re-discovery? Are their infinitely advanced “astronauts” somewhere out there? What is the evidence for a “Twelfth Planet”?  

© A.B. Finlay Ph.D