"Von Daniken publishes a picture of an old Indian pillar in the center section of his book. The caption tells us that the iron in the piller does not rust, and that the piller is hundreds of years old.

"The piller is situated in Delhi and the story of its "special" qualities is well-known... However (despite Von Daniken's claim to the contrary..) it is NOT rust-proof, for it does contain phosphorus and does show signs of some rust though it is remarkably well-preserved. Such a phenomenon does not, however, point to some special technique introduced by astronaut gods, any more than the fact that there were other techniques known to ancient people that would surprise modern scholars."