Ancient Skies - Vol 24 No 4

Magazine Overview

Title: ANCIENT SKIES
Issue: Volume 24, Number 4
Date: September-October, 1997
Publisher: Ancient Astronaut Society
Country: USA
Theme: The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence as an Educational Topic

The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence as an Educational Topic by Peter Kaschel

This article details Peter Kaschel's pioneering efforts to integrate the subject of extraterrestrial intelligence into his German language classes at a high school in Marl, Germany. Kaschel, a German citizen born in Poland in 1944, is a senior teacher specializing in German language, with a background in sports and educational theory. He is also deeply involved in rock music.

Kaschel's motivation stemmed from his own negative experiences with history teachers who provided superficial answers to his probing questions, leading him to believe that traditional history books often present a skewed or incomplete picture of the past. He was inspired by authors like Erich von Daniken and the works of archaeologists and explorers such as Heinrich Schliemann and Thor Heyerdahl. Kaschel felt a strong conviction that the ancient astronaut theory, despite potential criticisms, offered a valid alternative perspective on human history and origins that should not be kept from students.

He aimed to move beyond a superficial or 'just-for-fun' approach, seeking to establish the topic as a serious educational subject that could challenge students' existing mental frameworks and prepare them for future realities. Kaschel believed that confronting students with the possibility that history might have unfolded differently than conventionally taught was crucial for developing critical thinking and self-reliance, as outlined in German educational curricula.

Project 1: "Erich von Daniken pros and cons"

Kaschel's first project, implemented with a tenth-grade class (15-16 year olds), began by confronting students with the provocative question: "COULD YOU POSSIBLY IMAGINE THAT THE HISTORY OF MANKIND AND THE ORIGIN OF MANKIND IN PARTICULAR MAY HAVE BEEN COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FROM WHAT SCHOLARS AND HISTORY BOOKS HAVE BEEN TEACHING US?"

To prepare the students, Kaschel assigned extensive research, including visiting libraries, museums, and archives, and interviewing relatives and friends. He encouraged them to read books by and about Erich von Daniken, as well as children's history books about the Stone Age and ancient Egypt, to understand how historical narratives are presented. He also instructed them to read their own topical history books to observe how dates and facts are presented with apparent certainty.

This preparation aimed to fulfill curriculum requirements for text analysis and the use of informative texts. Kaschel presented the students with three core theses of the ancient astronaut society: (1) our planet was visited by extraterrestrials in prehistoric times; (2) our current technological civilization is not the first one on this planet; and (3) a combination of the first two.

Kaschel faced immediate opposition from colleagues who complained to the principal, accusing him of undermining the school's humanist guidelines and introducing 'trivial literature.' Kaschel defended his approach, citing the need to teach new values and perspectives and questioning the authority of those who claim a monopoly on truth. He argued that his methods were designed to encourage students to question the traditional conception of their origin.

Despite initial confusion, the students became increasingly engaged. They found that while Erich von Daniken's views were often presented critically in various texts, they also encountered the idea that history might not have happened as presented in standard textbooks. The project involved analyzing the structure, intention, and effect of texts, and differentiating between pros and cons, requiring significant individual mental activity.

Kaschel emphasized that his approach was not about blindly accepting theories but about fostering a critical examination of historical evidence and conventional narratives. He noted that his history teachers had failed to satisfy his curiosity, leading him to seek alternative explanations.

The project culminated in showing films based on von Daniken's books, which, according to Kaschel, solidified the topic's foothold. He stressed the importance of continuing such projects to maintain credibility and prevent the topic from being dismissed as a one-off event.

Project 2: Newspaper Analysis and Teacher Survey

To build on the previous project and maintain momentum, Kaschel initiated a second project focused on the medium of newspapers, a requirement for eighth-grade students (14 year olds). Students were tasked with writing articles about local events, but Kaschel guided them to imagine themselves in a time machine and produce reports and interviews with dramatic appeal, drawing on information he provided.

Examples of student work included eye-witness reports on the discovery of the palace of Knossos, interviews with Sir Arthur Evans, reports on the opening of Tut-Ankh-Amen's tomb, interviews with Maria Reiche about the Nazca lines, live reports about Erich von Daniken's visits, and reports on the Gantenbrink robot's exploration of the Great Pyramid.

Kaschel deliberately presented major archaeological events and ancient astronaut sensations on the same level to encourage students to see connections and question established narratives. This approach again drew criticism from colleagues, particularly a history teacher who felt Kaschel's methods were thwarting his own classes and making students insecure.

Kaschel retorted that making students insecure was precisely his intention, as it could lead to new reflections. He defended his right as a teacher to introduce diverse topics and encourage critical thought, invoking paragraph 18 of the General Declaration of Human Rights.

Following this, Kaschel conducted a survey among 30 teachers regarding Erich von Daniken and the ancient astronaut hypothesis. The results were stark: none of the teachers knew other authors in the field, and most had only a vague understanding of von Daniken's theses, often conflating them with Atlantis or astrology. The question of using the topic in classrooms was met with responses ranging from "No comment" to strong rejection, with one teacher suggesting such books should be burnt and another stating that a teacher doing so would lose their status.

Kaschel concluded that not a single teacher surveyed was open-minded enough to consider the possibility of discussing the subject, indicating a widespread, spontaneous rejection.

Project 3: Ancient Mythologies and Text Analysis

Kaschel's third project involved a sixth-grade class (12 year olds) and focused on ancient mythologies, a standard curriculum topic. He sought to link these myths to the ancient astronaut theory by showing parts of the biographical film about Heinrich Schliemann, "The Priamos Treasure," and presenting his own photographs from archaeological sites in Turkey (Phaselis, Aspendos, Ephesos, Troy, Catal Huyuk, Nemrud Dag).

He aimed to provide students with tangible connections to the ancient world, showing them artifacts he had found and photographs of himself at archaeological sites, a departure from typical history teaching. He posed the question: "How do we explain that in ancient times there is so much talk of Gods, divine messengers and objects flying in the sky?"

Students were asked to research epics and legends, finding references to flying objects and divine figures. They examined texts like the story of Prometheus, who was described as riding a fiery chariot, and the myth of Persephone's rape, where Pluto was said to use obscure driving devices. The star of Bethlehem was also discussed as a potential flying object.

While students found references to gods and hovering vehicles, the connection to the skies remained unclear. Kaschel explained that numerous ancient drawings, paintings, sculptures, reliefs, stones, stone circles, and building parts worldwide symbolically connected to the skies, suggesting various possibilities for interpretation.

The project included showing the film "Chariots of the Gods?", which resulted in a "culture shock" and total silence from the students, indicating a profound impact.

The final part of this project involved analyzing texts for linguistic and content-based interpretations, preparing students for a test. The text used was an excerpt from Ernst von Khuon's "Were the Gods Astronauts?"

Kaschel summarized the project's outcome: after initial opposition and disorientation, the class developed growing interest and fascination. Notably, there were no protests from parents, some of whom had become interested themselves.

Broader Context and Society Information

The article concludes with information about the Ancient Astronaut Society. It thanks Arcturus Books Inc. for operating the bookstore at the Society's World Conference in Orlando, Florida, and provides their contact details. It also states that September 14, 1997, marked the 24th Anniversary of the founding of the Ancient Astronaut Society. The society publishes ANCIENT SKIES bi-monthly and is distributed free to its members. It was founded in 1973 and is a tax-exempt, not-for-profit corporation dedicated to scientific, literary, and educational purposes.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the integration of unconventional topics, specifically the ancient astronaut theory, into formal education. Peter Kaschel's article champions a pedagogical approach that encourages critical thinking, challenges traditional historical narratives, and fosters an open-minded inquiry into humanity's origins. The editorial stance, as represented by the Ancient Astronaut Society, is clearly in favor of exploring these alternative perspectives and promoting them through educational initiatives and publications like Ancient Skies. The magazine itself serves as a platform for disseminating information and fostering a community interested in these subjects, as evidenced by the mention of its world conference and bookstore.