Episode Guide

The Power of Three

This episode examines the recurring prominence of the number three across ancient cultures and asks whether this pattern points to a hidden message from extraterrestrial visitors. From the 5,000-year-old triple spirals carved at Newgrange in Ireland to the three Great Pyramids of Giza to the triadic deities found in Egyptian, Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian traditions, ancient astronaut theorists argue that humanity's obsession with this number suggests a deliberate attempt by advanced beings to communicate something fundamental about the universe. The episode points to Isaac Newton's study of ancient tablets describing the "power of three," the structure of DNA as a code written in triplets, and the mathematical significance of triangles in sacred architecture as evidence that this pattern transcends mere cultural coincidence and may represent a cosmic principle taught to early humans by otherworldly teachers.

The Crystal Skulls

This episode explores the legend of the crystal skulls—luminous quartz carvings of human skulls that enthusiasts believe hold ancient knowledge vital to humanity's survival. According to the legend presented by theorists like Philip Coppens, while hundreds of crystal skulls exist worldwide, only thirteen are considered authentic and possess mystical power that will be revealed when they're brought together to form a global grid. The episode highlights gatherings like the December 2012 event at Miami's archaeological Miami Circle site, where believers assembled with a crystal skull hoping to forestall the catastrophe some associated with the end of the Mayan calendar. Proponents argue these skulls contain wisdom from the gods—or perhaps extraterrestrial visitors—and point to examples displayed in 19th-century museums in London and Paris as evidence of their ancient origins.

The Anunnaki Connection

This episode explores whether the Sumerian civilization's remarkable achievements—writing, mathematics, astronomy, urban planning, and more—might have been gifts from the Anunnaki, beings described in ancient cuneiform tablets as giant, winged gods who came from the heavens. Ancient astronaut theorists, examining texts recovered from sites like the Assyrian palace at Khorsabad (discovered in 1843), argue that these weren't mythological figures but extraterrestrial visitors who genetically engineered or "upgraded" humans to serve as a labor force. The episode opens with the 2003 looting of Iraq's National Museum, where thousands of Sumerian artifacts were stolen in what some suggest was a coordinated effort to suppress forbidden knowledge about humanity's origins. Proponents point to the Sumerians' sudden technological leap around 3000-4000 BCE as evidence of outside intervention.

Magic of the Gods

This episode explores whether ancient accounts of magic—from healing rituals to divine communication—might represent not superstition but misunderstood advanced technology passed down by extraterrestrial visitors. Ancient astronaut theorists including those featured argue that figures like the Chinese immortal Zhang Guo Lao, who reportedly lived in the Zhongtiao Mountains during the 7th century AD and possessed extraordinary abilities, may have wielded knowledge given by otherworldly beings. The episode examines how ancient cultures made no distinction between the supernatural and everyday life, viewing magic as a genuine technology to "master the power of the universe." Proponents suggest that if ancient people believed they learned these powers directly from their gods, and those gods were actually extraterrestrial, then magic becomes evidence of alien intervention designed to unlock humanity's latent potential.

The Satan Conspiracy

"The Satan Conspiracy" investigates whether the figure known as Satan—the fallen angel and ruler of Hell—might actually be a misunderstood extraterrestrial who aided early humanity rather than corrupted it. Ancient astronaut theorists including David Childress suggest that Satan could be "a person, a god, an angel, an E.T. who's been maligned," while Kathleen McGowan notes that new interpretations of ancient texts portray him as one of the archangels who brought knowledge to humankind. The episode examines exorcism rituals performed at the Ignited Church in Lakeland, Florida in 2012, arguing these ceremonies may represent ongoing encounters with an extraterrestrial intelligence. Theorists propose that Satan's reputation as the embodiment of evil could be punishment for enlightening humanity, and that his supposed acts of vengeance might instead be moral tests preparing us for future alien contact.

Alien Operations

"Alien Operations" investigates whether ancient medical knowledge came from extraterrestrial sources by examining evidence of sophisticated surgical procedures performed thousands of years ago. The episode points to specific sites like the Physician's Tomb of Ankhmahor at Saqqara, Egypt, where 4,300-year-old carvings appear to depict complex surgical operations. Ancient astronaut theorists including Giorgio Tsoukalos argue that the similarity of healing gods across cultures—often described as birdlike divine figures—suggests a common extraterrestrial origin for medical knowledge. The episode proposes that recent advances in surgery and prosthetics may actually represent a rediscovery of techniques practiced in antiquity, with ancient healers receiving instruction directly from alien visitors who understood human anatomy in ways we're only now beginning to recapture.

Emperors, Kings and Pharaohs

This episode examines whether history's most powerful rulers—from Egyptian pharaohs to British monarchs—derived their authority from extraterrestrial guidance rather than purely earthly sources. Ancient Astronaut theorists point to the divine claims of leaders like Ramses II, whose massive temples at Abu Simbel depict him alongside gods, as evidence of otherworldly connections. The episode explores Queen Elizabeth II's 1953 coronation at Westminster Abbey, where she swore an oath describing the Bible as the "Oracles of God," as part of a pattern theorists say reveals intentional alien intervention. David Childress and others propose that ancient rulers weren't metaphorically claiming divine descent but literally descended from extraterrestrial beings, possibly sharing a "leadership gene" inherited from off-world sources. Philip Coppens suggests some legendary weapons of mass destruction attributed to ancient kings were actually alien technology.

Mysterious Relics

This episode explores whether sacred relics revered across cultures—from Europe's mysterious golden cone hats dating to 1000 B.C. to metals worn by ancient priests—might have served as actual conduits to divine or extraterrestrial power rather than mere symbols. Ancient astronaut theorists including Philip Coppens and Mike Bara suggest that specific metals like gold were chosen not for symbolic value but for functional properties, potentially amplifying communication with "higher-up beings." The Berlin Museum's golden hat, adorned with astronomical symbols and mathematical patterns, becomes a centerpiece for examining whether these objects represent a shared ancient culture with advanced knowledge. William Henry and David Childress propose that metallic relics, including what they describe as "metallic books," could comprise an extraterrestrial library, while the episode traces the human tradition of metal adornment from Roman military medals to biblical accounts of priests wearing specific metals before entering the Holy of Holies.

Aliens and Forbidden Islands

This episode investigates whether remote islands worldwide conceal evidence of extraterrestrial activity, focusing on mysterious underwater objects and unexplained phenomena around isolated landmasses. The show highlights a 1963 U.S. Navy encounter off Puerto Rico, where the USS Wasp fleet tracked an unknown sonar target traveling at 150 knots and descending to 27,000 feet—speeds and depths theorists like Richard Dolan and Mike Bara argue exceed any known human technology, then or now. Ancient astronaut proponents suggest islands serve as ideal locations for hidden alien bases, citing centuries of reports describing "fiery wheels" over places like the Isle of Man, megalithic structures with legends of flying stones, and USO (unidentified submersible object) sightings near volcanic islands. The 1945 Aleutian Islands incident, where USS Delarof crew reported a dark spherical object emerging from the ocean near Adak, adds another layer to the pattern theorists claim spans both history and geography.

Aliens and the Lost Ark

The 2013 discovery of post holes carved into bedrock near Beit El in the West Bank—potentially the first physical evidence of the Tabernacle at Shiloh—reignites ancient astronaut theorists' fascination with the Ark of the Covenant. According to the biblical Book of Exodus, God gave Moses precise instructions on Mount Sinai for constructing this gold-covered chest, roughly three by five feet, to house the Ten Commandments tablets. But ancient astronaut proponents like Giorgio Tsoukalos and Jason Martell argue the Ark was far more than a sacred container: they point to biblical accounts describing it killing those who touched it, toppling the walls of Jericho, and producing food as evidence of advanced technology. Mike Bara calls it "the ultimate high technology device of its day," while Martell suggests it was "a type of super weapon" guided by extraterrestrials. The episode asks whether this most sought-after relic might prove an ancient alien connection if rediscovered and "reactivated."

Aliens and Mysterious Mountains

This episode explores why ancient cultures across the globe considered mountains sacred dwelling places of the gods, asking whether extraterrestrial visitors might explain this universal reverence. The investigation highlights the sky caves of Mustang, Nepal—over 10,000 human-carved caverns tunneled into friable cliffs as high as 155 feet, containing Buddhist murals and texts dating to at least the 1400s and possibly much earlier. Ancient astronaut theorists including Andrew Collins suggest mountains served as "the perfect place of communication between this world and the next," where gods or aliens descended to interact with humans. The episode examines Mount Olympus as the legendary battleground of Greek gods, a 4,000-year-old Macedonian mountaintop observatory demonstrating sophisticated celestial tracking, and Peru's ongoing Incan pilgrimage traditions to commune with mountain spirits called Apu.