"Randall Schulz" <sinkhole@tarpit.net> wrote in message
news:pan.2004.07.25.22.26.45.285621@tarpit.net...

Hi,

Recently it occurred to me to wonder what is the latest date in Earth
history when an extraterrestrial visit (a non-clandestine visit, i.e.)
could have occurred without having been recognized as such?

In asking the question, I am, of course, assuming that prior to some date
(now passed) an extraterrestrial appearing openly, to an individual or in
a community, would be explained as some kind of supernatural being or
simply a rare form of sentient but indigenous life.

Naturally, I'm also assuming these etraterrestrials could not be mistaken
for or somehow pass as humans themselves.


Any ideas?

Randall Schulz

I think it all depends on what the alien does, or does not do.

It it appears to just one human, saying HIUGFDTUOSGP HSIPHP HUIPH,
and then disappears, then that human probably thinks he is temporarily
out of his mind. If he talks about it with his peers, then they will surely
think he was temporarily out of his mind, and that is it. There have been
periods in human's history where freedom of expression was absolutely
forbidden, so the poor (wo)man would actually end up being burned or so
if he/she would talk about such a weird experience.

But, if the alien appeared to a group, and makes regular appearances,
then there would surely be some record of that, as written by the
group's 'accountant', 'artist' or 'writer'. I'd think that record from about
1000 years back are reasonably accurate, and a regular appearance
of an alien would be noticed in their documents or artifacts.

Anything further back than a few thousand years would not really be
verifiable
now, because we really do not know the context in which any artifacts
or stories were created.

Any way, even if aliens visited us in the distant past, there is no
indication
that they stayed here, or otherwise left any proof of their existence or
visit.
(such as a small radio beacon on the moon or so).

What we DO know, is that we (humans) and all other somewhat smart life
on this planet has such strong commonality in DNA that surely life as
we know it is related and originated on earth.

Rob