About the author
Erich Anton Paul von Däniken (; German: [ˈeːrɪç fɔn ˈdɛːnɪkən]; 14 April 1935 – 10 January 2026) was a Swiss author of several pseudoscientific books which made claims about extraterrestrial influences on early human culture, including the best-selling Chariots of the Gods?, published in 1968. Däniken was one of the main figures responsible for popularizing the "paleo-contact" and ancient astronauts hypotheses. The ideas put forth in his books are rejected by virtually all scientists and academics, who categorize his work as pseudohistory, pseudoarchaeology, and pseudoscience. Early in his career, he was convicted and served time for several counts of fraud or embezzlement, and wrote one of his books in prison. Däniken was the co-founder of the Archaeology, Astronautics and SETI Research Association (AAS RA). He designed Mystery Park, a theme park located in Interlaken, Switzerland, that opened in May 2003. == Early life == Däniken was born in Zofingen, Aargau. Brought up as a Roman Catholic, he attended the Saint-Michel International Catholic School in Fribourg, Switzerland.
📖 Where to start with Erich Von Däniken
💬 What our editors say about Erich Von Däniken's books
“While intellectually stimulating for enthusiasts of fringe science, this volume may disappoint readers seeking rigorous academic peer-review or conventional biological evidence. The authors present a speculative case that…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on We Are the Children of the Stars
“This title delivers a visually rich tour of ancient sites, leveraging high-quality photography to support its bold claims about extraterrestrial intervention. While the arguments lack rigorous academic peer review and rely…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on Remnants of the Gods: A Virtual Tour of Alien Influence in Egypt, Spain, France, Turkey, and Italy Von Däniken, Erich
“This anthology serves as an accessible entry point for enthusiasts of alternative archaeology, compiling voices like Erich von Däniken and Frank Joseph to question mainstream historical records. While it effectively challenges…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on Lost Civilizations & Secrets of the Past Pye, Michael
