Born on April 14th, 1935, in Zofingen, Switzerland, Erich von Daniken was educated at the College St-Michel in Fribourg, where already as a student he occupied his time with the study of the ancient holy writings. While managing director of a Swiss 5-Star Hotel, he wrote his first book, Chariots of the Gods, which was an immediate bestseller in the United States, Germany, and later in 38 other countries.

In the United States, Erich von Daniken won instant fame as a result of the television special "In Search of Ancient Astronauts," based upon his first book. In 1993, the German television station SAT-1 started a twenty-five part TV series with and by Erich von Daniken, entitled "Auf den Spuren der All-Machtigen" (Pathways of the Gods). In 1996, the American TV company ABC/Kane produced a one-hour special, filmed all over the world, entitled Chariots of the Gods - The Mysteries Continue. This film was broadcast on the ABC network on September 26th 1996. In 1996/97 ABC/Kane produced another documentary with Erich von Daniken (seen on the Discovery Channel). In Germany, the biggest TV network, RTL, showed the film on November 26th, 1996. 7,7 million viewers in Germany alone watched the program. Today, Erich von Daniken continues his filming with ABC and RTL.

Erich von Daniken finished the manuscript of his latest book, Odyssey of the Gods, a book about Greek mythology. The book was published in May 2000 by Element Books.

Erich von Daniken's books have been translated into over 25 languages, and have sold 60 million copies worldwide. From his books two full-length documentary films have been produced: Chariots of the Gods and Messages of the Gods. Of the more than 3,000 lectures which Erich von Daniken has given in 30 countries, over 500 were presented at universities. Fluent in four languages, Erich von Daniken is an avid researcher and a compulsive traveller, averaging 100'000 miles each year to remote spots of the Earth. This enables him to closely examine the phenomena about which he writes.

Erich von Daniken is a member of the Swiss writers association, the German writers association, and the International PEN-Club. He was awarded with an Honorary Doctorate degree by the State University of Bolivia. He received the "Huesped Illustre" award from the cities of Ica and Nazca in Peru. In Brasil he received the "Lourenço Filho" award in Gold and Platin, and in Germany he was awarded with the "Order of Gordon Bleu du Saint Esprit" (together with the German astronaut Ulf Merbold).

Today, Erich von Daniken lives in the small mountain-village of Beatenberg in Switzerland (40 miles from Berne, above the city of Interlaken). Together with two committees he is currently building a fantastic theme park "Mysteries of the World". Erich von Daniken is the founder of the committees and also the vice president of the joint-stock company. This theme park "Mysteries of the World" will be opened on May 23rd 2003 in Interlaken/Switzerland.

And, airing Summer 2003 - the new TV series: Based on Erich von Daniken's best-selling books, "Chariots of the Gods" is a 22 one hour sci-fi adventure series that combines the suspenseful investigative techniques of the hit show CSI, melds it with the exotic adventures of Alias, and then throws in a dash of Tomb Raider for good measure. The series combines the style and intrigue of the popular forensic investigation and mysterious place/raranormal documentary programs.

In 1998, Erich von Daniken founded the Archaeology, Astronautics and SETI Research Association , AAS RA which publishes the English journal Legendary Times™ reporting about the latest research in the Paleo-SETI field.

Erich von Daniken has been married to Elisabeth Skaja since 1960. He has one daughter, Cornelia (born 1963), and two grandchildren. Von Daniken is a hobby-chef and a lover of Bordeaux wines.

The theory with far-reaching influence Erich von Daniken first presented more than forty years ago his theory of extraterrestrial contact with the ancient world. Erich von Daniken is the best-selling non-fiction author of all time. His 29 books have sold more than 63 million copies and have been translated into 32 languages. Besides creating a whirlwind of conspiracy, his work has had a far-reaching influence on entertainment and science.

Numerous scientists and interested individuals have joined Erich von Daniken’s research organization (Archaeology, Astronautics & SETI Research Association) which explores new frontiers in the newly established Palao-SETI science.

Mysteries, The work of Erich von Daniken Erich von Daniken’s latest pictorial book Mysteries is available.

Mysteries will take you on an unforgettable journey around our planet and documents breathtaking photographs of facts and archeological sites supporting Erich von Daniken’s theory of historical contacts between civilizations from outer space with ancient civilizations.

Swiss Mystery Themepark of Ancient Astronauts,
Strange Archeology arround the World! all in Interlaken

This is a large part of his charm: when you are with Daniken, he lets you know that he cares for you. He manages to address any group of people as individuals. If Mystery Park is not the expected success, I’m quite sure he could successfully return to his earlier career as a hotel manager. After they have left, he continues his musings on the upcoming TV series.

"Well, it will be much like The X-Files. They are doing a follow-up now and that’s why I met them. We have a concept worked out and three scripts have already been written. Much like the X-files, the good guys are the ones who find the mysterious artefacts, while the bad guys are those that…are behind the conspiracy?"

"Yes, those are the bad guys! One example: there is that secret tunnel in the Great Pyramid, with a door at the end. We know it is there. But no-one really knows what’s behind the door."

His archive, revealing a link between Charles Fort and Erich von Daniken. We are surrounded by an impressive row of filing cabinets filled with newspaper clippings, articles, maps and slides. "3,000 slides of Nazca alone"

Shows us some of his latest photos of Nazca, including one that looks most convincingly like the spaceport landing strip he had never claimed it was.

Erich von Daniken is enthusiastic about the project: "You are seated on this flying carpet and we will show you the Nazca platform in a mixture of real film and computer animation. But we will not tell you this is a spaceport. We will just make you think twice before you believe it is what the scientists say it is. No answers, just questions and some statements by scientists. It is an experience, nothing more, nothing less."

In 1968, a Swiss hotelier named Erich von Daniken burst onto the literary scene with a book called 'Chariots of the Gods'. His theories about Ancient Astronauts drew scorn from the establishment, but von Daniken has pursued his vision for over 30 years, and is about to translate it into a surprising new medium - the tourist attraction. Jürgen Heinzerling travelled to Switzerland to meet the man behind ‘mystery park’.

It’s impossible to understand the sociological impact of Erich von Daniken’s bestselling debut 'Chariots of the Gods' if you’re unfamiliar with the inbred awe many Germans feel when confronted with someone from an academic background. We Germans have a strong belief in academic titles, which are widely considered as de facto scientific qualifications, regardless of their exact nature. If you find yourself on the losing side of an argument concerned with, say, contemporary astrophysics, it’s always a good idea to remind your lay enemies that you are a bona fide doctor of political science.

There have always been those who thought and said otherwise; and in the German-speaking community, few have done so as vehemently as Erich von Daniken.

Even his severest critics, who have more or less successfully demolished his ideas, would have to acknowledge that he has consistently presented himself as a sceptic rather than a believer. Unlike most sceptics, though, he has chosen to promote the fantastic as the most logical solution.

Arguably, his unique way of using common, everyday logic seemingly to debunk rather awkward scientific explanations might lack the sophistication of Charles Fort’s more philosophical approach, but, much like Fort, Daniken isolates scientific claims as distinct entities which must be judged on their inherent plausibility rather than on the qualification of their promoters.

As a German fortean of the postwar baby boom, I must confess that I was strongly influenced by Daniken’s early work. I was a kid then and faintly remember his first TV appearance, where he boldly defended his ideas against a committee of scientists. His particular mix of irony and logic made him a winner, in my opinion, and the fact that he was a lay person made it all the more impressive. Here was living proof that a lowly hotel clerk with no formal scientific education could be intelligent enough to make scientists look stupid!

Today, more than three decades after Daniken became a bestselling author almost overnight with Chariots of the Gods, he is probably the world’s best known German-language author. He might also become the first author to see the erection of his own extravagant monument in the form of Mystery Park, a multimedia museum located close to Interlaken, the main tourist centre of Switzerland’s Berner Oberland (and conveniently close to Daniken’s home in Beatenberg).

"Most of them will come here by bus and leave on the very same day. It is not Euro Disney, you know? You have no fun rides, just things to see and listen to. There’s no reason for a family to stay for a week; most will think it is just good enough for a single day." Mystery Park’s organisers expect half a million visitors each year, which is a large share of the 670,000 tourists who visited Interlaken in 2000. More modestly, they say that 280,000 are enough to keep the project going profitably.

"The Bible. I was brought up in a Catholic family, but I was a wayward child," Erich von Daniken reveals. "So they had to put me in a Jesuit school. We translated parts of the Greek Bible, and I was amazed when I found that they were different from the Latin version. Also, there were so many small things that just didn’t add up. You expect an omnipotent God to go anywhere He pleases without the need for a special kind of transport. But read the Bible and you will find that he used a vehicle now and then. Also, I found it quite remarkable that God was so often involved in petty re-venge. But probably the most glaring flaw is found right at the beginning of the Bible, where it is obvious that God made the world as an experiment. But what, I ask you, would an omnipotent, omniscient God gain from an experiment, as he would, of course, know its outcome before the experiment was even begun?"

Did his findings change his religious viewpoints?
After all the years of looking for proof that God was a spaceman, does he still find himself able to believe in a Christian God?

"No, not really. I think I don’t have a concept of God anymore," he answers, lighting the next cigarette. "Personally, I don’t really believe God does not exist, but I don’t think we can hope to understand what He is. I mean, take the Big Bang: we might accept it started the Universe as it did, but then we must ask ourselves what started the Big Bang. There was a force, however small, which initiated the formation of our Universe. Scientists cannot explain what it was, so I guess we will never understand what made it all happen."

Did he ever meet readers who told him he destroyed their religious belief?

"All the time, and some of them were young priests. They were actually quite grateful, because they felt that they had been going in the wrong direction before they heard about my ideas."

But what about himself? Does he still believe in an afterlife?

"Oh, I would just love it," he says with a hearty laugh. "But then again, it might all end when we draw our last breath. We just don’t know, that’s our dilemma. I might be damned for something I did. One day, I might stand before God and He’ll tell me: Erich, this is paradise, but not the place where you are supposed to spend the rest of eternity."

Daniken’s longtime collaborator Johannes Fiebag proposed a cosmology in which God’s omniscience is the end result of the Universe rather than the reason for its existence.

"A possibility I would not rule out," he comments vaguely. "Our viewpoints on religion are mostly based on a book that is a wild mix of fantasies and historical reports. We cannot hope to draw the truth from it so easily."

Does the Bible still contain a mystery that he would like to explore?

"Of course it does, and there are some artefacts I would love to know better, especially in China. But my exploring days are over. I have other things to do now. Writing the text for Mystery Park’s presentations takes up most of my time. But there are other things going on, important things. I was in America and met those TV people The X-Files couple years ago."

Chariots of the Gods Erich Von Daniken

A work of monumental importance--the first book that was know all over the world, to introduce the shocking theory that ancient Earth had been visited by aliens. This world-famous bestseller has withstood the test of time, inspiring countless books and films, including the author's own popular sequel, The Eyes of the Sphinx. But here is where it all began--von Daniken's startling theories of our earliest encounters with alien worlds, based upon his lifelong studies of ancient ruins, lost cities, potential spaceports, and a myriad of hard scientific facts that point to extraterrestrial intervention in human history. Most incredible of all, however, is von Daniken's theory that we ourselves are the descendants of these galactic pioneers--and the archeological discoveries that prove it.

Eyes of the Sphinx: Evidence of Extraterrestrial Contact in Ancient Egypt

Twenty-eight years ago, Erich von Daniken first presented his theory of alien contact with the ancient world - a theory so incredible, yet so logical and convincing, that it has become part of a wide-ranging debate that continues to this day. His claims that an alien race helped create the pyramids of Egypt were based upon the ruins themselves. And it is these ruins that now provide researchers with a never-ending source of clues - new discoveries, new revelations, new evidence that Earth was indeed colonized by an alien race...

The Mystery Park presents the mysteries of this world, based on the ideas of Erich von Daniken, on the 100,000 sq.m. site of the former military airfield at Matten, near Interlaken. "We are not building a UFO park" repeatedly emphasises Erich von Daniken, best-selling non-fiction author with a grand total over 60 million books sold. The seven different theme buildings, set in a star pattern around the main building, present mysterious, to-scale evidence of various past cultures, such as the Pyramids of Gizeh in Egypt or Chichen Itza of the Mayan Indians. Challenge looks to the future, taking NASA's attempts to inhabit the planet Mars as its theme. Erich von Daniken wants the anticipated around 500,000 annual visitors to "re-learn the feeling of astonishment in the Mystery Park" and to ask questions on the wherefrom and whereto of our civilisation.

In 1998, Erich von Daniken founded the Archaeology, Astronautics and SETI Research Association , AAS RA which publishes the English journal Legendary Times™ reporting about the latest research in the Paleo-SETI field.

Chariots of the Gods- The Series
Chariots of the Gods -The Series is based on the books of Erich von Daniken who more than twenty years ago first presented his theory of extraterrestrial contact with the ancient world - a theory so incredible yet so logical that it has become part of a wide ranging debate that continues stronger today. 
His examination of ancient ruins, forgotten texts, and other archeological anomalies points to evidence of extraterrestrial intervention in human history. Most incredible of all are von Daniken's claims that we ourselves are descendants of these galactic pioneers and that the evidence is out there to lead us to them. Chariots of the Gods follows the adventures of the team who will attempt to do just that.

	The Eyes of the Sphinx   Erich Von Daniken The author of the 7-million-copy bestseller Chariots of the Gods? reveals startling new evidence of extraterrestrial contact with Earth. From undiscovered passageways to the world's first robot to ancient flying ships, this amazing evidence will add new spark to the old debate and fascinate a new generation with von Daniken's explosive theories.
	Chariots of the Gods   Erich Von Daniken Erich von Daniken's Chariots of the Gods is a work of monumental importance--the first book to introduce the shocking theory that ancient Earth had been visited by aliens. This world-famous bestseller has withstood the test of time, inspiring countless books and films, including the author's own popular sequel, The Eyes of the Sphinx. But here is where it all began--von Daniken's startling theories of our earliest encounters with alien worlds, based upon his lifelong studies of ancient ruins, lost cities, potential spaceports, and a myriad of hard scientific facts that point to extraterrestrial intervention in human history.
	The Return of the Gods - Evidence of Extraterrestrial Visitations   Erich Von Daniken The controversial proposition that we have been subject to countless visits from beyond this planet for many years. The culmination of long-term research, his book argues that we are very much in the minds and eyes of other cosmic life-forms and that, as a result, many of the dramatic events and remarkable teachings or religious texts should be reinterpreted--even the idea of Judgment Day itself.
	Odyssey of the Gods - An Alien History of Ancient Greece Erich Von Daniken For anyone interested in Greece, extraterrestrial encounters, or the untold story of civilization, Odyssey of the Gods is a fascinating and revolutionary interpretation of ancient Greek sites and legends. Odyssey of the Gods explores evidence suggesting: The oraclar site of Delphi was an aircraft refueling station  Jason's pursuit of the golden fleece was in fact a search for an essential aircraft component.  The ancient cities of Troy and Atlantis were one in the same  The city was destroyed in a war between aliens or their descendants  What we now recognize as 'Greek myth' is in fact history
	The Arrival of the Gods - Revealing the Alien Landing Sites of Nazca  Erich Von Daniken Since discovered in 1927, archaeologists have puzzled over the origin of the massive earth etchings at Nazca, in the remote deserts of Peru. Arrival of the Gods reveals Von Daniken's exclusive theory concerning Nazca's mile-long "landing strips," vivid drawings of people, birds, and animals, and the immense geometric designs. Using over 140 integrated photographs, specially designed maps, models and drawings, Von Daniken reveals one of earth's most enduring mysteries.
	The Gods Were Astronauts Evidence of the True Identities of the Old 'Gods" Erich Von Daniken Why do nearly all the world's major religions share such similar myths and legends? Erich Von Daniken, author of the runaway international bestseller Chariots of the Gods, believes he knows--and the answer is as wondrous and awe-inspiring as it is controversial: the winged angels populating the Bible, Koran, and other religious texts from cultures the world over were in reality extraterrestrials who visited the Earth in ages long past. Fully illustrated with compelling full-color and black-and-white photographs, the book takes us from the jungles of Myanmar, where ancient pagodas point heavenward in the unmistakable shape of spacecraft, to Portugal's mysterious legend of Fatima and on to the unexplained "landing strips" of Peru and Egypt, offering persuasive evidence that actual living beings inspired the legends that became the basis for many of our religious traditions. Intellectually challenging and provocative, these findings shake the foundations of both science and faith.
N/A Release Date: Dec 2004	Mysteries of The World (coming soon) Mysteries of The World documents breath taking art photographs of facts and archeological sites supporting Erich von Daniken’s theory of historical contacts between civilizations from outer space with ancient civilizations on our home planet earth. Erich von Daniken who more than thirty years ago first presented his theory of extraterrestrial contact with the ancient world selected timeless and artistic photographs to bring them to you in this unique art book. Mysteries of The World combines an unseen series of photographic impressions documenting his theory, which long was believed to be incredible but as science and knowledge advances is becoming so logical that the re-writing of ancient history become inevitable. Eric’s examination of ancient ruins, forgotten texts, and other archeological anomalies points to evidence of extraterrestrial intervention in human history. As bio-sciences advance Erich von Daniken's claim that we ourselves are descendants of these galactic pioneers is becoming more and more likely. Evidence is out there to lead us to them. Erich von Daniken is the best-selling non-fiction author of all time. His 29 books have sold more than 63 million copies and have been translated into 32 languages. Besides creating a whirlwind of conspiracy, his work has had a far-reaching influence on entertainment and science. This unique art book will take you on an unforgettable journey around our planet – one of many in the endless universe - and present hints about historical contacts with civilizations from outer space. Source: www.mystery.com.sg NEW

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Mysteries of the World

Mail address:
Chalet Aelpli
CH-3803 Beatenberg
Schweiz (Switzerland)
Tel: ++41 (0)33-8412080
Fax: ++41(0)33-8412081

Website: www.daniken.com
e-Mail: daniken@daniken.com

In case Erich von Daniken wants to contact you personally,
please, don't forget your name and post address!

Related Websites:

• Archaeology, Astronautics and SETI Research Association , AAS RA

•  Legendary Times™

• Chariots of the Gods- The Series

• www.mystery.com.sg
   

• Ancient Astronauts

Erich von Daniken geboren 14 april 1935 in Zwitserland) is een controversiële auteur die het bekendst is van zijn theorieën over buitenaardse invloed op menselijke cultuur in de prehistorie, ook bekend als de Paleo-SETI theorie.

Voortbouwend op het werk van anderen, opperde Von Daniken dat als intelligente buitenaardse wezens bestaan en ons in het verleden hebben bezocht, het archeologisch materiaal dat moet kunnen aantonen. In het verlengde hiervan heeft hij ook geopperd dat de evolutie van de mens in het verleden is gemanipuleerd door buitenaardse wezens.

Von Daniken ondersteunt zijn theorieën als volgt:

• Er zijn archeologische artefacten gevonden die een hogere graad van kennis vereisen om te produceren dan men tot nu toe heeft aangenomen dat deze beschavingen hadden. Voorbeelden hiervan zijn Stonehenge, de standbeelden op Paaseiland en de Egyptische piramiden.Sommige daarvan vereisen ook een vergaande kennis van wiskunde en kosmografie die de mensen van toen niet konden bezitten, of vereisen, willen ze zinvol zijn, dat men kan vliegen.
• In pre-historische kunst zijn volgens Von Daniken aanwijzingen te vinden van het bezoek door de buitenaardse wezens.
• Verwijzingen in de mythologie naar wezens die in 'wagens van vuur' door de hemel reizen en gelijksoortige teksten. Een voorbeeld is de revelatie van Ezechiël in het Oude Testament. Von Daniken interpreteert dit als de landing van een ruimtevaartuig.

Hij heeft 26 boeken geschreven, waarvan ongeveer 60 miljoen exemplaren zijn verkocht. In 2003 richtte hij het zgn. Mystery park op om de mysteries van de wereld aan het grote publiek te tonen.

De gevestigde wetenschappen beschouwen zijn werk als pseudo-wetenschapen zijn van mening dat zijn conclusies niet worden ondersteund door zijn argumenten. Zijn theorieën vallen onder de Paleocontact theorie (theorieën die stellen dat er in de prehistorie contacten waren tussen mensen en geavanceerde buitenaardse beschavingen).

Zie ook: Piramidologie

Mystery park is een avonturenpark in het Zwitserse kanton Bern, bij de stad Interlaken tussen het meer van Briens en het meer van Thun.

Mystery park bestaat sinds 2003 en werd opgericht door Erich von Daniken, een bekend SF-schrijver, die in zijn boeken o.m het thema van eventuele buitenaardse invloed op de mensheid behandelt.

Het doel van het park is om de mysteries van de wereld te tonen en uit te leggen. De bezoeker moet zelf hierover een oordeel vormen, er wordt alleen informatie gepresenteerd.

Het park heeft zeven thematische paviljoens, die opgesteld zijn rondom een cirkel. Men vindt daar multimediale belevingen, die vooral verschillende raadsels behandelen:

• Vimana - Space shuttles uit het antieke India?
• Orient - Piramides zonder bouwplan?
• Maya's - Een volk van geniale astronomen?
• MegaStones - Stonehenge, een tijdmachine voor de hogepriesters?
• Contact - Cultuurschok of inspiratie?
• Nazca - Pictogrammen voor de goden?
• Challenge - Zijn we alleen in het universum?

Ook voor personen die sceptisch zijn tegenover dergelijke fenomenen, kunnen plezier aan dit park beleven. De presentaties en de techniek daarachter zijn interessant.

De homepage van het Mystery park, in het Engels en Duits Een website met meer informatie over mysteries, in het Engels en Duits