Significance of the Study
Zecharia Sitchin (1920-2010) studied Economics at the University of London and was best known for his fringe theories on the origins of Earth and man-kinds celestial ancestry (alien ancestry). According to his official website, www.sitchin.com, he is “one of few scholars able to read and interpret ancient Sumerian and Akkadian clay tablets.” His interpretations and theories were compiled into his seven books known as The Earth Chronicles. In his first novel, The 12th Planet and its sequels Sitchin claims there is a 12th planet beyond Neptune known as Nibiru that reaches our inner solar system once every 3,600 years. According to Sitchin, an advanced race of human-like extraterrestrials called the Anunnaki live on Nibiru and are the missing link in Homo sapiens evolution. There have been no new postings on Sitchins official webpage since 2017 but some 4,126 people follow the Zecharia Sitchin Facebook page which continues to make posts to this day. Additionally, Sitchin’s books have sold millions of copies worldwide and have been translated into almost 20 languages so his influence is certainly noteworthy. The belief in Zecharia Sitchin and what he professed is important because it attempts to provide an answer to some of humanities timeless questions, namely, “Why are we here?” and “How did we come to be here?” However, his explanations provide an extraordinary answer because they contradict our current knowledge regarding our solar system and the celestial bodies found therein and cannot be scientifically proven nor disproven as the only evidence is based upon subjective interpretations.
The Annunaki arrived on Earth 450,000 years ago looking for minerals, namely gold which they began mining in Africa. When Anunnaki miners became displeased with working conditions it was decided that Anunnaki genes and Homo erectus genes would be engineered to create slaves to replace the miners, thus resulting in Homo sapiens, or man-kind as we know it. The evidence sited in support of this belief can be found through a link on the Facebook page which takes you to a website called, enkispeaks.com. There we see evidence quoted from his first book which included varies statements pertaining to Sumerian space maps which showed planets which would have been beyond their ability to detect. “Sumerians lacked telescopes and couldn’t see Uranus’ and Neptune’s orbits the route maps (from Nibiru to Earth) show. Nibirandictated maps prove they had astronomical info Sumerians, on their own, didn’t. The maps accurately detail the entire Earth from space, a perspective impossible for ancient Sumerians on their own.” (Sitchin 275) This map was discovered on a clay tablet in the ruins of the Royal Library at Nineva. Additionally, on Sitchin’s official website there is an article pertaining to an article published in Science magazine by Mathieu Ossendrijver in January 2016 which discusses a 350-50 BCE Babylonian cuneiform tablet that accurately details the position of Jupiter based on geometrical calculations. This article is offered as evidence for the planetary knowledge of ancient civilizations that they were not expected to have, so it therefore is assumed to have come from the Anunnaki. In opposition to these beliefs we see experts such as Dr. Michael S. Heiser who holds a Ph.D in the Hebrew Bible and Semetic Languages posing critical questions to Sitchin regarding his interpretations of the Sumerian texts. Heiser asserts that while Anunnaki is indeed found in Sumerian Literature (182 times, according to Heiser) there is no mention of a connection between them and Nibiru, or a 12th planet. Heiser also questions Sitchin’s reasoning for interpreting Sumerian words such as “naphal” to mean fire, or rockets which leads to an interpretation of the word “Nephilim” to mean “people of the fiery rockets.” Heiser asserts that his interpretation of this word is without accurate explanation nor is there a single, ancient text where naphal has that meaning.
Zecharia Sitchin’s lack of a formal education in Semitic Studies likely led to an inaccurate and therefore misinformed reading of the Sumerian texts. One could argue he suffered from confirmation bias as he moved through the literature distorting the meaning of certain words in an ignorant effort to fit his beliefs. Furthermore, we see a section on Sitchin’s official website discussing a Washington Post article from November 2017 wherein the senior scientist of NASA, David Morrison, PH.D states that Nibiru is not real and that there is no 10th planet. The author of the website responds with a red herring stating that, “he [Morrison] just wants to get on with his real work and not worry about answering questions.” This in no way addresses Morrison’s statement nor does it provide evidence that argues against it.
My first introduction to Zecharia Sitchin and his books was through my parents who are both dis-fellowshipped Jehovah’s Witnesses. After leaving “the truth” my parents were in search of a new truth that answered the big questions that their previous faith no longer did. However anecdotal I imagine many previously religious people who are no longer sure of their belief in a traditional God could find themselves drawn to the appearance of science in Sitchin’s books. As more secular voices are made heard through the internet there is an increasing availability for confirmation bias among belief communities, as well as increased access to “bad science” with no guide posts for truth. Sitchin’s theories are appealing to those who now seek a more “scientific” answer to questions that were previously answered by religion. Moreso, Sitchin relies on texts such as the Bible (Genesis) which may be an added comfort to new believers as it is already familiar. Furthermore, Sitchin’s books being translated into over 20 languages bridges communication gaps and widens the base of believers to extend beyond a single region or language.
Even after Sitchin’s death in 2010 “scientific evidence” for his books was still being shared on his website up until 2017 and many other scholars have written about his work and have added their own supportive evidence as seen through the Zecharia Sitchin Facebook page. This ongoing dialogue could provide believers with comfort and assurance that what they’ve put stock in is continually “proven” and discussed by those seen as experts, even to this day.
Literature Review
The Anunnaki
Central to Sitchin’s narrative are a group of alien beings known as the Anunnaki, whom he claimed crossed their own DNA with that of Homo erectus in order to create mankind—for the purpose of using humans as slaves to mine gold and other minerals. Today these Anunnaki are often variously portrayed in A.A.T. literature as the scientific equivalent of the creator of the human race as portrayed in numerous religions. Anunnaki actually means “Princely Seed” or “Princely (royal) blood”. Sitchin’s translation of Anunnaki as “those who from heaven came” is itself an error or was completely fabricated, and all modern translations of the term in this fashion are merely relying on Sitchin’s own publications. Scholars are free to search the entire spectrum of Sumerian literature at The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature (2) to test any of the terms referenced by Sitchin or the present article for themselves.
In THE 12TH PLANET, Zecharia Sitchin argues that Sumerian myths of a pantheon of gods are no less than fact and that Earth’s solar system includes an additional planet called Shar which comes near Earth every 3,600 years on an elliptical orbit that takes it deep into space. The planet, he claims, is inhabited by advanced alien beings called Nefilim. Based on a Sumerian origin myth, he recounts how the arrival of this planet formed the solar system as we know it, and he credits the Nefilim for advancing humanity and also for the stories of the Great Flood.
Sitchin gives a history of the archeological investigation into ancient societies, tracing the known culture of ancient Greece back to earlier cultures, finally arriving at the earliest known civilization of Sumer. He gives the impression that earlier cultures were more advanced than later ones and that Sumer arose suddenly and was amazingly advanced. In this way, he shrouds Sumer in mystery. Similarly, Sitchin gives the stories of the Greek and Roman gods and traces similar stories through other cultures, arriving at Sumerian mythology.
The main mythological characters are Anu, a distant father god, and two sons, Enlil and Enki, who vie for superiority and power. The gods come from above and travel to Earth, walking among the people. Sitchin interprets the Sumerian myths as being factual accounts of alien beings from an extra planet in Earth’s solar system that came to Earth 450,000 years ago to mine for gold and other rare minerals. The aliens had helicopter-type flying devices to move around Earth, powerful weapons, and rockets to travel to their planet.
Sitchin claims that the missing planet, Shar, follows a 3,600-mile elliptical orbit from deep space to the asteroid belt. Coming from outer space, the planet crashed through the solar system, pushing Pluto onto its current orbit and cutting one planet in half, creating Earth out of one side and the asteroid belt out of the debris. It also knocked the moon into place. Sitchin gets his claims from his interpretation of Sumerian myths as factual accounts.
While on Earth, the inhabitants of Shar, which Sitchin calls Nefilim, genetically engineered humans as a slave race to help with mining. Enlil became unhappy because Enki gave humans the ability to reproduce (a reinterpretation of the story of the Garden of Eden). Enlil decided to destroy humans, and so did not tell them of the coming Deluge (the story of Noah.) Sitchin interprets the Deluge as tidal waves from the end of the last ice age. Enki played the role of God in saving “Noah.” Mankind survived, and after the Great Flood, the gods gave mankind agriculture and helped humans build civilization. The humans tried to build a rocket ship, though (a reinterpretation of the Tower of Babel), and the gods broke them into three different groups, giving each a different language.
“The 12th Planet” opens with Zecharia Sitchin’s assertion that conventional interpretations of ancient texts and archaeological findings have overlooked a crucial aspect of human history — the influence of extraterrestrial beings. Sitchin’s thesis revolves around the idea that Earth was visited by advanced alien beings called the Anunnaki, who came from a mysterious twelfth planet in our solar system, known as Nibiru.
Chapter 1: The Nefilim
Sitchin begins by introducing the concept of the Anunnaki, which he translates as “those who from heaven to Earth came.” He argues that the Anunnaki are not mythical deities but real beings who traveled to Earth in search of minerals, specifically gold, which they needed to repair their planet’s deteriorating atmosphere.
According to Sitchin, the Anunnaki arrived on Earth around 450,000 years ago and established their presence in ancient Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq). They are described as humanoid beings with advanced technology and knowledge of genetics, which they used to manipulate the local hominid species, Homo erectus, into a more advanced form — the first humans, Homo sapiens.
Chapter 2: The Stairway to Heaven
Sitchin delves into the details of the Anunnaki’s home planet, Nibiru. He explains that Nibiru has an elongated orbit that brings it into the inner solar system every 3,600 years. During these close approaches to Earth, the Anunnaki took advantage of the planet’s resources, particularly gold. They established mining operations in Africa and Mesopotamia and created a labor force by genetically modifying Homo erectus.
Sitchin also discusses the ancient Sumerians, one of the world’s earliest known civilizations, and their advanced knowledge of astronomy and mathematics. He argues that the Sumerians received this knowledge from the Anunnaki, who also played a role in shaping Sumerian religion and culture.
Chapter 3: The Nefilim Rule
This chapter explores the idea that the Anunnaki not only influenced early human civilization but also played a direct role in governing it. Sitchin claims that the Anunnaki established a hierarchy on Earth, with royal Anunnaki as rulers and intermediaries between the gods and humans. He argues that the stories of gods in various ancient cultures are actually accounts of interactions with the Anunnaki.
Sitchin presents evidence from Sumerian cuneiform tablets, such as the Enuma Elish and the Epic of Gilgamesh, to support his claims. He interprets these texts as descriptions of the Anunnaki’s role in human affairs, including their genetic experiments and their establishment of royal dynasties.
Chapter 4: The Deluge
In this chapter, Sitchin explores the biblical story of Noah’s Ark and the Great Flood. He argues that the flood was a deliberate act by the Anunnaki, who sought to wipe out humanity due to its rebellion against their authority. According to Sitchin, Enlil, one of the Anunnaki leaders, ordered the flood to destroy the “mixed-breed” humans who had become too numerous.
Sitchin claims that the biblical story closely parallels earlier Mesopotamian accounts of the flood, such as the Epic of Gilgamesh. He contends that these accounts are historical records of the same event — a flood caused by the Anunnaki.
Chapter 5: Gods of Heaven and Earth
Sitchin delves deeper into the pantheon of Sumerian gods and goddesses, asserting that they were not mythical figures but actual extraterrestrial beings. He introduces key Anunnaki figures, including Anu (the ruler of Nibiru), Enki (the scientist who created humans), and Enlil (the enforcer of divine decrees).
Sitchin presents various ancient texts as evidence for his claims, suggesting that these texts describe the interactions, disputes, and power struggles among the Anunnaki. He argues that the conflicts among these beings had a profound impact on human history, shaping our religious beliefs and societal structures.
Chapter 6: The Return
This chapter discusses the Anunnaki’s periodic return to Earth during Nibiru’s close approaches. Sitchin suggests that these visits had a significant influence on human development and that the Anunnaki continued to manipulate human affairs.
He argues that the Anunnaki left behind clues and messages for future generations, such as the Nazca Lines in Peru and the pyramids in Egypt. Sitchin interprets these ancient mysteries as signs of the Anunnaki’s presence and their intent to guide humanity.
Chapter 7: Divine Encounters
Sitchin explores encounters between humans and the Anunnaki in various ancient cultures. He discusses the Akkadian account of Etana’s ascent to heaven, the Egyptian texts describing interactions with gods, and the biblical accounts of angels and divine messengers. Sitchin interprets these encounters as evidence of the Anunnaki’s ongoing involvement with humanity.
Chapter 8: In Search of Hidden Time
Sitchin delves into the mysteries of ancient monuments and artifacts, including Stonehenge, the pyramids, and the Nazca Lines. He argues that these structures contain astronomical and mathematical knowledge that could only have been provided by the Anunnaki.
Sitchin also discusses the ancient Sumerian calendar, which he claims is based on the orbital period of Nibiru. He suggests that the calendar’s precision is evidence of advanced astronomical knowledge passed down by the Anunnaki.
Chapter 9: The End of All Flesh
Sitchin explores the concept of nuclear warfare in ancient times, particularly focusing on the biblical story of Sodom and Gomorrah. He contends that these cities were destroyed by nuclear explosions, which he attributes to the Anunnaki.
Sitchin suggests that the Anunnaki possessed advanced weapons and technology, which they used both to enforce their authority on Earth and to engage in conflicts among themselves.
Chapter 10: The Last Book
In the final chapter, Sitchin discusses the enduring impact of the Anunnaki on human civilization and religious beliefs. He suggests that the Anunnaki’s influence can be seen in various mythologies and religious traditions, including the worship of gods and the idea of a divine plan for humanity.
Sitchin also addresses the question of whether the Anunnaki are still present on Earth or if they have moved on to other ventures in the cosmos. He leaves the possibility open for future interactions between humans and these ancient extraterrestrial beings.
Criticism and Controversy
While “The 12th Planet” has garnered a following among some readers intrigued by alternative theories of human history, it has faced significant criticism and skepticism from mainstream scholars, scientists, and archaeologists.
Reference:
https://medium.com/@chapati2323/summary-of-the-12th-planet-by-zecharia-sitchin-8058baa66079