Xenoarchaeology and Exhumation

An interesting sub-discipline of archaeology has arisen called xenoarchaeology. Xenoarchaeology concerns itself with the physical remains of intelligent extraterrestrial cultures. While this concept has often fallen into the hands of science fiction authors, it will no doubt be taken much more seriously as astrophysicists continue to find more and more stars with hospitable planets. It is becoming increasingly more accepted that life can thrive in conditions previously thought impossible as well, only further opening this realm of possibility.

At the earliest in the 1600′s, Johannes Kepler postulated that many features of the lunar landscape may be artificially constructed by an alien intelligence. In the same vein, concealing astronomic suspicions and perhaps passing hidden insider knowledge, Arthur C. Clarke wrote many novels of science fiction positing the existence of intelligently designed obelisks scattered throughout the solar system. Closer to his death when his career could not be threatened, Clarke made public statements about his positive belief of the evidence of ancient civilizations having existed on Mars. Richard Hoagland currently leads the Enterprise Mission which seeks to investigate extraterrestrial ruins on the Earth’s moon, Mars, Jupiter’s moon Europa, and more celestial bodies. Erich Von Daniken, beginning in his book Chariot of the Gods and continuing through his massive series, presents alternative interpretations to much of this planet’s archaeological finds suggesting a paleocontact theory of ancient alien astronauts. Many more serious attempts to explore this new avenue of research have and will continue to be performed as humanity’s technological prowess increases the reach of human hands and tools.

It is expected that artifacts of non-human origin will be found on planets, satellites, in the asteroid belt, or locked in orbit. More advanced and clever thinking has led some to search for these artifacts on asteroids passing through our system or in more peculiar places such as Lagrangian points. Lagrangian points are places in space near a massive body and its satellites where gravity and the centripetal forces cancel each other for objects of negligible mass. This would allow small objects to rest in a geostationary orbit, where relative to the planet and its satellites, it does not move. One can ponder and think of many reasons points in space such as these would be advantageous for the placement of advanced observational machinery. Other slightly related attempts to find remains of advanced extraterrestrial civilizations exist. SETI (The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) features an enormous array of satellites hoping to intercept electromagnetic signals from distant cultures. Because of the vast distances, any signals received would be of an ancient time, thus qualifying SETI as an xenoarchaeological study.

Xenoarchaeology may be a study ahead of its time, garnering present ridicule from the close-minded, but the scientific paradigm is shifting as some of the Earth’s premier physicists are changing their own minds, and as opinion leaders, changing the zeitgeist for all. Even the Vatican has issued statements preparing the people for the implications of extraterrestrial life upon their belief system. Wonder and awe will abound if non-human artifacts are indeed uncovered. Complete shock may be the alternative if the bodies of extraterrestrial beings are one day exhumed.