Did aliens construct pyramids?

 Along with Space Aliens, Carson Doubles Down

Ben Carson is reiterating his claim that the Egyptian pyramids were actually constructed as grain storage facilities by the biblical Joseph while acting as the Pharaoh's Prime Minister, rather than as funeral monuments. In Naples, Florida, Carson told CBS News today, "It's still my belief, sure."

But some of you contacted in to complain that we buried the lede when this item went up on the site today. And I found that you were unquestionably correct when I read the article again.

"And when you look at the manner that the pyramids are created, with multiple rooms that are hermetically sealed, they'd have to be that way for many reasons," Carson continued as he continued to explain. You know, it doesn't need an extraterrestrial being when God is with you. 

And numerous scientists have stated, "Well, you know, there were alien creatures who came down and they had particular knowledge and that's how" (I added emphasis).

All faiths hold beliefs that may seem rather strange or unreasonable to others who do not share such beliefs. Furthermore, even though I don't think Carson practices a particular religion, it is evident that his pretty zealous biblical literalism is the source of his pyramid theory.

But what about the experts who assert that extraterrestrials created the pyramids? Religion won't assist you with this, in my opinion. Really, I don't think any scientists suggest that the pyramids were built using knowledge brought down by space aliens unless you can't tell real scientists from quacks in fringe publications or weird paranormal shows on The Discovery Channel.

Except. And I didn't realize this until I started writing this piece. with the exception of... I had to think back to when my adored rationalist father had raised me. 

Erich von Daniken, a former hotel manager and serial fraudster from Switzerland, managed to become a best-selling author in the late 1960s and early 1970s with a series of books that claimed that essentially every human achievement from the ancient world - in the Near East, Egypt, the Americas, everywhere - was done with the help of space aliens. One of my father's pleasures was mocking the endlessly discredited charlatan.

Chariots of the Gods was his first and largest novel. The von Daniken entry on Wikipedia will give you some of the flavors of this article.

Aliens from space, Stonehenge Space aliens, and Easter Island head figures. Egyptian pyramids, Americans, extraterrestrials, and the Nasca Lines in Peru. His beliefs and writing are amusing in their own right, as you might anticipate from a seasoned scam artist who rebranded himself as a pretend archaeologist.

In addition to the fact that all of von Daniken's theories were obvious nonsense rejected by anyone who had any familiarity with the archeology or history of the relevant periods and regions, von Daniken also succeeded in getting himself imprisoned for fraud and admitted to fabricating various details to add interest to his books.

His performance art was disguised as a mixture of sneering preconceptions about individuals who lived in the distant past, erroneous reasoning, quack medicine, and charlatanism.

But for the time being, von Daniken wasn't a scientist. He was somehow the personification of a charlatan and a scammer, according to every scientist who had expertise in the relevant subjects. 

I am unable to provide evidence for it. Carson's scientist(s), however, are very certainly none other than Erich von Daniken given the total lack of any legitimate scientists who hold the opinion that aliens constructed the Egyptian pyramids.

I believe I stated this earlier this afternoon. Carson could have a quick mind. But the man is a complete moron. There is no way around it.