Wonders in the Sky: a book documents ancient aerial sightings
The work Wonders in the Sky, by Jacques Vallée and Chris Aubeck, presents a meticulous investigation that challenges the conventional chronology of the UFO phenomenon. It collects more than five hundred reports of anomalous aerial events documented before the year 1879, arguing that these manifestations are not exclusive to the modern era. 🛸
An approach based on historical documents
The authors adopt a rigorous methodology that prioritizes primary sources. Instead of interpreting the events, they transcribe the original accounts found in chronicles of astronomers, historians, and direct witnesses from various cultures. This method seeks to build an objective catalog, isolating the historical data from contemporary hypotheses.
Key features of the method:- Consult ancient texts and official records without modern interpretive filters.
- Transcribe the original descriptions to preserve the context of the time.
- Separate the recorded event from later theories to establish a reliable database.
The UFO phenomenon does not begin in the 20th century. Historical evidence speaks of a continuity spanning centuries.
A chronological journey through the aerial anomaly
The book organizes the cases linearly, from classical antiquity to the late 19th century. This chronological compilation includes descriptions of luminous spheres, strange formations, and flight behaviors that defied the knowledge of their time. The temporal cutoff, just before the popularization of balloons and airplanes, aims to avoid confusing these phenomena with early human technology. 📜
Highlighted elements of the compilation:- Span multiple centuries and cultures to show a persistent pattern.
- Include accounts that speak of "fiery chariots" or "flying shields," showing the language of each era.
- Demonstrate that each society interprets the unknown with the vocabulary and concepts available to it.
Interpretation through time
One of the most revealing findings is how the cultural framework shapes the description of what was observed. What was once narrated as a divine prodigy or omen might today be described with terms like drones or satellites. This perspective underscores that, beyond the interpretation, a core of unidentified aerial events remains repeatedly documented throughout history. The book invites consideration of this phenomenon from a broad and documented historical perspective.