Human curiosity about distant civilizations has long been fueled by imagination, pop culture, and pseudoscience. Author Erich von Daniken popularized the idea of extraterrestrial influence on ancient civilizations in his 1968 book, 'Chariots of the Gods.' While the book sold millions and inspired films, scientists largely dismissed his theories as pseudoscientific, citing fabricated evidence and faulty assertions about alien contact shaping ancient technologies and structures.