Sightings of unknown objects flying over our space are not new; however, only a few decades ago they began to be classified as UFOs (UFOs), mainly due to the number of extraterrestrial phenomena that occurred in the 20th century. These events have been documented in photographs and videos, which has fueled interest in their study, especially in ufology.
The origins of the UFO phenomenon
Although the term UFO is a modern concept, historical records suggest that the presence of strange flying objects may date back many millennia. Ancient civilizations around the world described in their texts or in their art the appearance of mysterious lights or figures in the sky, and the phenomenon has been related to gods or celestial beings.
One of the most famous cases is the well-known Roswell incident in the United States, which occurred in July 1947. This event was a catalyst for modern ufology, as it is believed that the US government hid evidence of a flying saucer and even possible extraterrestrial beings. Although nothing has been officially confirmed, the controversy continues to this day.
In addition to the Roswell case, reports of sightings have continued to appear around the world. One of the most interesting elements is that such records are not limited to the modern period; there are ancient records of sightings that could be interpreted as UFOs or similar phenomena.
Ancient Records: UFOs in Antiquity
According to volume II of the Introduction to Space Science from the United States Air Force Academy, it is claimed that UFO sightings appear to span over 47.000 years. This suggests that sightings of unknown flying objects could be deeply rooted in human history.
One of the oldest testimonies comes from the Aborigines of the Kimberley Mountains in Australia, who claimed that their gods were related to these flying objects. On the rocks of this place you can see anthropomorphic drawings known as Wandjinas, which represent beings with large heads and eyes, elements that some researchers interpret as representations of extraterrestrial beings.
In the indian mythology, the epic Mahabharata speaks of Maia, a builder and architect of the asuras, who managed to make a metal dwelling that was raised to the skyLikewise, deities like Indra, Yama, Varuna and Brahma are described as possessing metal devices that crossed the sky.
Another example of ancient cultures that has attracted attention is the Mayan cultureIn the sacred book of the Mayans, the Popol Vuh, celestial beings and events are mentioned that were interpreted by some researchers as proof of extraterrestrial contact.
UFO Testimonies in Antiquity
History has inherited many references to sightings that could be considered UFOs. The Swiss Erich von Däniken, in his 1968 book “Memories of the Future”, claimed that at the beginning of civilization, the Earth was visited by manned spaceships. According to him, these beings would have influenced our development and built monuments impossible for the technology of the time.
Some of the constructions that von Däniken associates with extraterrestrials are the Egyptian pyramids, Moai of Easter Island and the enigmatic Nazca Lines in PeruHe even suggests that the Star of David, the light that guided the Magi to Jesus, could have been a flying saucer.
Documented sightings in ancient times
Both in remote times and in more recent times, records of UFO sightings have been numerous. One of the oldest comes from the Tulli Papyrus In Egypt, a manuscript dating back more than 3,500 years. This text details sightings of large disks of fire in the sky, just above the country's major cities during the reign of Tuthmosis III.
Another example is found in the Ancient Rome, where the historian Titus Livius mentions in his "History of Rome" the sighting of a fleet of "shining ghost ships" in the sky in 218 BC
Furthermore, Pliny the Elder documents in his work Natural History a spark that came out of a star, grew in size and reached the size of the Moon before disappearing into the sky. These events, according to modern ufologists, could be interpreted as early observations by spacecraft.
Depictions of UFOs in ancient art
The prophet Ezekiel and UFOs
Ancient art also contains numerous references to what could be UFOs. One of the most famous examples is at the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Beaune in France, which houses a 15th-century tapestry depicting two strange objects floating in the sky, very similar to what we would describe as spaceships today.
Another notable case is "The Madonna of San Giovannino", a Renaissance work that shows the Virgin Mary with an object in the sky in the background, which has been interpreted by many as an extraterrestrial spacecraft.
El rock art It also contains mysterious representations. This is the case of the engravings in the Val Camonica valley in Italy, where humanoid figures with helmets can be seen. These figures have been interpreted as a reference to extraterrestrial beings by supporters of the ancient astronaut theory.
Modern UFO theories and their impact on popular culture
UFO over the Baltic Sea
UFO hypotheses are not only based on ancient texts. In more recent times, a number of events have caused the idea of UFOs to become a recurring theme in popular culture.
For example, UFO case investigations by governments, like the United States and its program Project Blue Book, arouse great interest in the scientific community and the general public. These official studies increase the credibility of historical accounts that mention strange flying objects in ancient times.
One of the most controversial theories is that UFOs have influenced the technological development of certain ancient civilizations. Examples such as the advanced technology observed in civilizations such as the Mayans or the Egyptians, who appear to have had advanced astronomical, engineering and mathematical knowledge, support this hypothesis.
Today, increasing access to technology and scientific studies open up new possibilities to investigate these phenomena and relate them to past sightings. As humanity continues to explore outer space, the possibility of finding conclusive evidence about the origin of these phenomena remains.
The fascination with UFOs continues to connect the past to the present, and what was once a mystery still has the ability to challenge our understanding of the universe.