On April 20, 2010, the very first episode of Ancient Aliens premiered, forever altering the landscape of television. Beyond its strange hairstyles and hilarious memes, the series introduced viewers to a mix of pseudohistory, pseudoarchaeology, and pseudoscience. It was a revelation that sparked wild discussions and even brought out some unexpected personalities in our own circles.
Whether you’re a fan or not, the show has undoubtedly presented some thought-provoking ideas. After the recent conclusion of its 17th season, while the debates continue to rage among experts, an 18th season may not be too far off. While some of the theories shared on the show have been surprisingly plausible, there are others that have made even the most dedicated followers turn away in disbelief. We’ve covered a few before, but it’s time to revisit and explore even more.
10. The Hidden Underground Dwellings

In one of the early episodes from Season 2, the show explored the striking parallels between creation myths from various Native American tribes in the United States. While many cultures around the globe have stories of gods descending from the heavens, these tribes believed their gods emerged from the earth. These myths often mention the Ant People, mysterious beings that supposedly reside deep within the earth.
Artistic representations of the Ant People also bear a striking resemblance to the so-called 'Grays,' sparking excitement among believers. The show continued to strengthen the connection between these indigenous cultures and their hidden subterranean homes. It explored various underground sites, including a mysterious cave in Ecuador, the ancient city of Derinkuyu, and, of course, the well-known secret military base near an alien lair in Dulce, New Mexico. Subsequent episodes have kept the investigation alive.
9. Disasters Caused by Aliens
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
The theme of alien-caused disasters has been a major focus of the show, appearing in three separate episodes across different seasons. The central idea is that ancient extraterrestrials may have played a role in shaping the fate of humanity by triggering calamities, wars, and other disastrous events. The show ties this theory to the widespread myth of a Great Flood—said to have been sent by gods to obliterate civilizations—that appears in the ancient texts of nearly every culture.
The series also delves into the possibility of alien wars that could have left devastation on Earth, alongside reports of UFO sightings during catastrophic events and near nuclear sites. In a later season, it was suggested that the ultimate biblical battle between good and evil might be evidence that aliens are returning to destroy humanity in the near future.
8. Aliens Have an Appetite for Our Gold

Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
The legend of El Dorado dates back to the 16th century, when Spanish conquistadors saw a native chief throw large quantities of gold into Lake Guatavita, located just north of Bogotá. The tales of this fabled city's vast wealth have captivated treasure hunters for centuries. While the lake continues to draw seekers hoping to uncover its submerged riches, proponents of the ancient alien theory argue that the lake holds evidence of extraterrestrial beings who once visited Earth in search of gold.
The show suggests that extraterrestrials may have used Earth’s gold to reflect sunlight in their atmosphere, thereby sustaining their own planet. It concludes by claiming that aliens utilized ancient civilizations to mine for precious metals, and argues that by studying old myths and temples, we can identify patterns that might ultimately prove the existence of extraterrestrial life.
7. Pandemics and Plagues
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
Currently, mysterious viruses and bacteria are a sensitive topic, with COVID-19 being a major example. This coronavirus has caused massive disruption worldwide. As we've seen, scientists and doctors are constantly confronted with viruses and bacteria of unknown origins. According to experts on the show, some of history's most devastating plagues and disease outbreaks could trace their origins to outer space, potentially even involving extraterrestrial interference.
It was even pointed out that during the Black Death pandemic in the Middle Ages, people reported sightings of bronze UFOs emitting a strange mist. With evidence already showing that life can exist within meteorites, the theory suggests that extraterrestrials—possibly even microscopic organisms—may have had an influence on human history.
6. Aliens Behind Our Cults

In Season 3, the show explored various cults from across the world that committed heinous acts, proposing that many of them were directly influenced by alien beings with malicious intentions. Among the most notorious were cults that claimed to have received messages from extraterrestrial entities, such as the Solar Temple Order, the Heaven’s Gate cult, and the Movement for the Restoration of the Ten Commandments of God, whose leader was responsible for the brutal deaths of 750 followers.
The show also offered its perspective on the human sacrifices carried out by Adolfo Constanzo, who claimed to worship Eshu, the ‘trickster god,’ as well as the infamous Thuggee cult in India. Experts on the show theorized that humans may have been genetically programmed to revere extraterrestrials as gods.
5. A Touch of Genius

In Season 5, the show linked the scientific brilliance of famous historical figures like Galileo, Aristotle, Albert Einstein, and Archimedes to extraterrestrial influence. Although this concept wasn’t entirely new, the show’s widespread popularity introduced these theories to a new generation.
Archimedes’ mirror, which was believed to have destroyed the Roman fleet, was transformed into a ‘laser-beam thunderbolt death ray,’ supposedly inspired by the alien god Zeus. Parallels were even drawn between this ‘death ray’ and the special effects from The War of the Worlds. But it didn’t stop there. According to the show’s experts, Einstein’s genius and his mathematical insights were “otherworldly,” with the claim that all the historical figures mentioned received extraterrestrial assistance in formulating their groundbreaking ideas.
4. Humanoid or Insectoid?

There are hundreds of millions of insects on Earth. Throughout various cultures, bugs have been worshiped, feared, and even revered as divine beings. In Season 7, the show’s experts explored possible connections between these creatures and advanced extraterrestrial life. It was suggested that the ancient Egyptians might have encountered intelligent alien life forms with insect-like characteristics, explaining their elaborate headdresses and the recurring appearance of scarab beetles in their hieroglyphs.
The show also revisited the tales of the Ant People, which appear in both Native American and Greek myths. A connection was drawn between these legends and the reported sightings of the Grays, who share a distinctly insect-like appearance. The experts concluded that insects are likely connected to extraterrestrial life, potentially holding a secret purpose that we have yet to uncover.
3. The Hidden Alien Agenda

Throughout history, humanity has faced pivotal moments marked by unexplainable occurrences. In multiple episodes of the show, the experts argue that these events cannot be mere coincidences and that they suggest evidence of a hidden alien agenda guiding the course of human history. Ancient alien theorists and enthusiasts have long speculated that extraterrestrials have played a significant role in our past, with some believing they continue to closely observe our development.
Several high-ranking government figures have either confirmed or hinted at the idea that extraterrestrials are monitoring Earth, particularly our technological progress. This includes former astronaut Buzz Aldrin and Canadian Defense Minister Paul Hellyer, who has stated that the universe is filled with life. Ultimately, the question of whether the UFO phenomenon is real is left for individuals to decide. It’s possible that extraterrestrials have been tracking human development for millennia, or it might just be an entertaining mystery.
2. Disappearances and Vanishings

Throughout history, there are numerous legends of entire civilizations disappearing without a trace. Stories from the unknown cultures of ancient China to the extinct giant race mentioned in the Bible and the unsolved disappearances of the Anasazi and Maya all share a common thread. Mainstream scholars struggle to explain these mysterious vanishings. However, according to many of the show’s experts, the clues left behind suggest an extraterrestrial explanation for these enigmatic events.
In one episode, the show explored the potential connections between various mysterious locations and the unexplained disappearances of people from different parts of the world. According to the experts, investigating these disappearances could not only reveal evidence of extraterrestrial involvement in our distant past but also shed light on the eventual fate of humanity.
1. Caves and Portals

For much of human history, many caves were regarded as sacred sites for divine encounters and spiritual transcendence, while others were feared as true gateways to the underworld. In season 9, experts examined the power these underground locations are believed to hold, suggesting they may have influenced, or even manipulated, the world’s religions.
The discovery of 10,000-year-old human artwork in Charama, India, depicting what appear to be advanced alien beings led experts to speculate that these ancient images might represent encounters with extraterrestrials. This sparked the theory that caves may be hidden portals to celestial realms, serving as contact points with alien entities and laying the foundation for many mythological rituals. The experts also believe that we will eventually uncover evidence of extraterrestrial encounters within these caves.
