The History Channel’s Ancient Aliens has always danced on the fringes of, shall we say, accepted archaeological discourse. Yet, its enduring popularity suggests a certain fascination with alternative theories, particularly those involving extraterrestrial meddling in human history. In its latest iteration, Ancient Aliens: Origins, the show revisits familiar territory with “Mystery of the Pyramids,” adding more speculation to these age-old enigmas.
This episode isn’t content with the standard tomb narrative. Instead, it floats the notion that the Great Pyramid of Giza might have been a colossal power plant. Yes, you read that correctly. A power plant. The show dusts off the usual suspects – Giorgio Tsoukalos, David Childress, William Henry, and Jason Martell – to lend their expertise to this electrifying proposition.
The episode broadens its scope by glancing at other pyramidal structures worldwide. We’re whisked away to Teotihuacan in Mexico, where the presence of mica supposedly suggests advanced heat-shielding technology. Then it’s off to Alaska, China, Bosnia and even possibly Antartica, where more recent pyramidal discoveries add fuel to the ancient astronaut fire. The show diligently highlights the architectural and astronomical similarities among these global pyramids, even venturing beneath the waves near Japan and under the ice in Antarctica, where supposedly submerged pyramids await discovery.
While Origins ostensibly builds upon 15 years of Ancient Aliens investigations, it doesn’t offer much in the form of groundbreaking revelations. Instead, it retreads familiar ground, rehashing the ancient astronaut theory with the same blend of conjecture and speculation that has become the franchise’s trademark.
If you’re a die-hard Ancient Aliens aficionado, this episode will likely reaffirm your existing beliefs. For the more skeptical viewer, however, it might feel like more of the same pseudo-archaeological musings. But hey, at least it’s entertaining. One almost hopes that somewhere, ancient astronauts are watching, chuckling at our attempts to decipher their handiwork, or perhaps just shaking their multi-antennaed heads in bewildered amusement.
Ancient Aliens: Origins airs Mondays at 9 PM on the History Channel.
