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The Sirius Mystery: New Scientific Evidence of Alien Contact 5,000 Years Ago
Convincing evidence that the Egyptian, Sumerian, and Dogon civilizations were founded by aliens from the Sirius star system who are now ready to return
• Updated with 140 pages of new scientific evidence that solidifies the hypothesis that the KGB, CIA, and NASA attempted to suppress
• An awe-inspiring work of research that calls for a profound reappraisal of our role in the universe
• Over 10,000 copies sold in its first two months of release in Britain
Publication of The Sirius Mystery in 1976 set the world abuzz with talk of an extraterrestrial origin to human civilization and triggered a 15-year persecution campaign against Robert Temple by the KGB, CIA, NASA, and other government agencies. Undaunted, however, Temple is back, with 140 pages of new scientific evidence that makes his hypothesis more compelling than ever.
Many authors have speculated on the subject of extraterrestrial contact, but never before has such detailed evidence been presented. Temple applies his in-depth knowledge of ancient history, mythology, Pythagorean physics, chaos theory, and Greek, to a close examination of the measurements of the Great Pyramid of Giza, which was built to align directly with the star Sirius. He concludes that the alien civilization of Sirius and our own civilization are part of the same harmonic system, and are destined to function and resonate together. His findings warrant a profound reappraisal of our role in the universe.
• Updated with 140 pages of new scientific evidence that solidifies the hypothesis that the KGB, CIA, and NASA attempted to suppress
• An awe-inspiring work of research that calls for a profound reappraisal of our role in the universe
• Over 10,000 copies sold in its first two months of release in Britain
Publication of The Sirius Mystery in 1976 set the world abuzz with talk of an extraterrestrial origin to human civilization and triggered a 15-year persecution campaign against Robert Temple by the KGB, CIA, NASA, and other government agencies. Undaunted, however, Temple is back, with 140 pages of new scientific evidence that makes his hypothesis more compelling than ever.
Many authors have speculated on the subject of extraterrestrial contact, but never before has such detailed evidence been presented. Temple applies his in-depth knowledge of ancient history, mythology, Pythagorean physics, chaos theory, and Greek, to a close examination of the measurements of the Great Pyramid of Giza, which was built to align directly with the star Sirius. He concludes that the alien civilization of Sirius and our own civilization are part of the same harmonic system, and are destined to function and resonate together. His findings warrant a profound reappraisal of our role in the universe.
440 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1976
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
December 11, 2019
fascinating. i am not sure about the facts. who can. but it takes you to far away places in reality and dreams and this makes it a fine journey.
November 8, 2016
I've long kept my eye out for Hamlet's Mill and The Sirius Mystery, both books being often referred to in the UFO literature. I found the latter recently at the Amarynth Bookstore in Evanston. Excited by my purchase I began to read it immediately...
...and was disappointed upon finishing its critical apparatus and beginning its first part.
Temple's thesis is that amphibians from the Sirius star system visited Earth and imparted some information, possibly to the Egyptians, possibly to a culture antedating Egypt or Sumer, approximately 7000+ years ago. His reason for imagining such?: that a people in southern Chad, the Dogon, knew things about the trinary Sirius system that no one else did, things subsequently confirmed by contemporary astrophysics.
From other sources I've noted that this claim is contested. Further, I wasn't much impressed by the claims advanced by Temple in his attempt to represent to Dogon, nor in his attempt to show how they migrated via Egypt to their current habitations. Beyond that his arguments depend a lot upon dubious etymologies in various languages and in what he sees as apparent similarities between the myths of various ancient cultures--none of which were very convincing, most of which became quite tedious to follow.
Now, of course, I know only a tad of classical Greek and Latin, effectively nothing of other ancient languages, and I'm no expert on comparative mythology. I know enough, however, to understand what a guessing game etymology is and how fuzzy mythologetics is. At best, as with Joseph Campbell or C.G. Jung, the study of mythology can be connotatively suggestive. It is not, in my experience, denotatively exact.
Thus I consign Mr. Temple to the realm of such outlandish speculators as Zechariah Sitchin.
...and was disappointed upon finishing its critical apparatus and beginning its first part.
Temple's thesis is that amphibians from the Sirius star system visited Earth and imparted some information, possibly to the Egyptians, possibly to a culture antedating Egypt or Sumer, approximately 7000+ years ago. His reason for imagining such?: that a people in southern Chad, the Dogon, knew things about the trinary Sirius system that no one else did, things subsequently confirmed by contemporary astrophysics.
From other sources I've noted that this claim is contested. Further, I wasn't much impressed by the claims advanced by Temple in his attempt to represent to Dogon, nor in his attempt to show how they migrated via Egypt to their current habitations. Beyond that his arguments depend a lot upon dubious etymologies in various languages and in what he sees as apparent similarities between the myths of various ancient cultures--none of which were very convincing, most of which became quite tedious to follow.
Now, of course, I know only a tad of classical Greek and Latin, effectively nothing of other ancient languages, and I'm no expert on comparative mythology. I know enough, however, to understand what a guessing game etymology is and how fuzzy mythologetics is. At best, as with Joseph Campbell or C.G. Jung, the study of mythology can be connotatively suggestive. It is not, in my experience, denotatively exact.
Thus I consign Mr. Temple to the realm of such outlandish speculators as Zechariah Sitchin.
December 1, 2015
The Sirius Mystery
“It’s aliens I tell you?” Yeah Yeah we have heard it all before. Zecharia Sitchin hypothesized that aliens came from a planet with an extreme elliptical orbit around our sun called Nabiru. The planet comes into contact with ours supposedly every 3,600 years and that aliens cam to our planet and spliced our genes. Now this is based on his reading of Sumerian, Egyptian and biblical scripture. Robert Temple has a more realistic theory and demonstrates his knowledge of pagan mysteries by elucidating Egyptian, Sumerian and Greek mysteries.
The ancient Egyptians used to connect the Sirius star with Isis. It would disappear for about 70 days and then reappear bringing with it a flood on the Nile. The African tribe of Dogon also worshipped the Sirius star and they knew before modern science caught on that there was a Sirius B Star and a Sirius C star. Robert Temple revealed this knowledge in his book and the scientific community did not take him seriously in fact many big time organizations gave him a real rough time. His basic thesis is that several thousand years ago Aliens came from a planet that was from the Sirius star system and visited the planet Earth. They were amphibious in nature resembling the appearance of mermaids. It is from them that we get some of our earliest achievements, like building the pyramids and mapping the Arctic Circle before science even knew what it looked like without ice. These amphibious aliens existed in the water at night and then returned to their water chamber at night.
Looking at some of mankind’s achievements it becomes clear that some form of higher intelligence was at play here. We cannot duplicate some of this stuff today.. Some would speculate that it was all Aliens, some would say that we are not giving ancient man enough credit. Others would say that there were human civilizations going further back in time than we realize. Some would say that Atlantis was such a civilization and then it was destroyed by some cataclysm. Robert Temple rejects all that. He has his own theory and it does sound pretty plausible especially when he shows you direct quotes from Ancient Historians that describe the merman like nature of Oannes , who came from the sea and enlightened mankind.
Whether or not I buy into his theory is a big question, but I do know there are lots of planets, galaxies an star systems out there so there is a good possibility that there is life on other planets an it certainly is possible they have contacted mankind. It still need to see more proof. Could it have ben that these mermen were natural inhabitant of this planet, an in between phase between amphibian and mankind.? Could be . Robert Temple does not claim that his theory is 100 percent correct as it is just a theory. I will tell you one thing though , he has found a way to show his reader that all these ancient philosophies and religions come from a common source and he draws those connections extremely well.
Whether you are into Ancient Alien theories or not this is one awesome book,
“It’s aliens I tell you?” Yeah Yeah we have heard it all before. Zecharia Sitchin hypothesized that aliens came from a planet with an extreme elliptical orbit around our sun called Nabiru. The planet comes into contact with ours supposedly every 3,600 years and that aliens cam to our planet and spliced our genes. Now this is based on his reading of Sumerian, Egyptian and biblical scripture. Robert Temple has a more realistic theory and demonstrates his knowledge of pagan mysteries by elucidating Egyptian, Sumerian and Greek mysteries.
The ancient Egyptians used to connect the Sirius star with Isis. It would disappear for about 70 days and then reappear bringing with it a flood on the Nile. The African tribe of Dogon also worshipped the Sirius star and they knew before modern science caught on that there was a Sirius B Star and a Sirius C star. Robert Temple revealed this knowledge in his book and the scientific community did not take him seriously in fact many big time organizations gave him a real rough time. His basic thesis is that several thousand years ago Aliens came from a planet that was from the Sirius star system and visited the planet Earth. They were amphibious in nature resembling the appearance of mermaids. It is from them that we get some of our earliest achievements, like building the pyramids and mapping the Arctic Circle before science even knew what it looked like without ice. These amphibious aliens existed in the water at night and then returned to their water chamber at night.
Looking at some of mankind’s achievements it becomes clear that some form of higher intelligence was at play here. We cannot duplicate some of this stuff today.. Some would speculate that it was all Aliens, some would say that we are not giving ancient man enough credit. Others would say that there were human civilizations going further back in time than we realize. Some would say that Atlantis was such a civilization and then it was destroyed by some cataclysm. Robert Temple rejects all that. He has his own theory and it does sound pretty plausible especially when he shows you direct quotes from Ancient Historians that describe the merman like nature of Oannes , who came from the sea and enlightened mankind.
Whether or not I buy into his theory is a big question, but I do know there are lots of planets, galaxies an star systems out there so there is a good possibility that there is life on other planets an it certainly is possible they have contacted mankind. It still need to see more proof. Could it have ben that these mermen were natural inhabitant of this planet, an in between phase between amphibian and mankind.? Could be . Robert Temple does not claim that his theory is 100 percent correct as it is just a theory. I will tell you one thing though , he has found a way to show his reader that all these ancient philosophies and religions come from a common source and he draws those connections extremely well.
Whether you are into Ancient Alien theories or not this is one awesome book,
September 10, 2007
Non-Fiction. Yes I do like this sort of thing. There's a tribe in Africa, the Dogon's who can recount the planets and others stars surrounding the star Sirius. The information that they have was not discovered by astronomers until 1920/30's (can't remember exactly). The information the Dogon's have has been passed down from generation to generation. There's more to the book than just this. Good read, again if you like this sort of book.
February 14, 2013
Absolute bullshit
June 14, 2012
Everyone should read this,looks like a typical airy fairy new age book and I was reluctant to dive in, but when I did I realised there are fundamental and obvious scientific facts we don't get told about our existence.
Read
January 23, 2024This is charming harmless quackery at its best. The thesis is patently absurd, and the mythological and philological arguments arrayed to prove it -- with fragile link building upon fragile link -- are too much of a stretch, but that may not be the point. The value lies in introducing the modern reader to the wealth of lore generated by the ancients as they grappled with the astronomical data that they patiently and painstakingly amassed over multiple generations, an amazing achievement done with none of the technological aids that moderns have.
The author continues the thread of the much more cautious _Hamlet's Mill_ by de Santillana and von Dechend, where mythologies are described as encodings of astronomical observations. Not all such encodings were meant to be abstruse or arcane: They may seem so only because language inherently works via metaphor, and the interactions of different cultures with multiple languages -- especially given the pictorial nature of ancient Egyptian representations -- proved to be a fertile breeding ground for cross-linguistic puns that established themselves as mythology, e.g., the reappearance of certain planets and stars after a long absence producing the very durable trope of resurrection. (Puns here are to be recognized as coded information, not attempts at poor humor.)
However, in making his claims bolder than _Hamlet's Mill_, the author seems to have gladly taken on the risk of making them too good to be true. Perhaps it is a well-intentioned bait-and-switch: entice the modern jaded reader with an outlandish claim, in order to make the absorption of ancient knowledge systems more palatable. I, for one, am glad to be so seduced.
The author continues the thread of the much more cautious _Hamlet's Mill_ by de Santillana and von Dechend, where mythologies are described as encodings of astronomical observations. Not all such encodings were meant to be abstruse or arcane: They may seem so only because language inherently works via metaphor, and the interactions of different cultures with multiple languages -- especially given the pictorial nature of ancient Egyptian representations -- proved to be a fertile breeding ground for cross-linguistic puns that established themselves as mythology, e.g., the reappearance of certain planets and stars after a long absence producing the very durable trope of resurrection. (Puns here are to be recognized as coded information, not attempts at poor humor.)
However, in making his claims bolder than _Hamlet's Mill_, the author seems to have gladly taken on the risk of making them too good to be true. Perhaps it is a well-intentioned bait-and-switch: entice the modern jaded reader with an outlandish claim, in order to make the absorption of ancient knowledge systems more palatable. I, for one, am glad to be so seduced.
November 11, 2017
Never mind the alien theory, this book is really enjoyable. Robert Temple here puts the finger on some absolutely crucial information: Sirius related symbolism which, so far as I know, was at the core of Egyptian mythology.
This work comprises many fascinating chapters namely the Oracle centres; the myth of Jason and the Argonauts; Noah's/Deukalion's ark; the number 50 in Egyptian, Greek and Babylonian lore and so on...
As mentioned already I found his alien theory a bit harebrained, although I wouldn't discard it as being complete nonsense. In my opinion he interprets some of his sources far too literally (fish-tailed gods as real physical ET's), which I find surprising for a scholar of his intelligence and calibre.
What I liked though, is the flow of his writing, his sense of humour and his conclusions concerning the meaning of the Giza Sphinx.
A definitive classic in comparative mythology.
This work comprises many fascinating chapters namely the Oracle centres; the myth of Jason and the Argonauts; Noah's/Deukalion's ark; the number 50 in Egyptian, Greek and Babylonian lore and so on...
As mentioned already I found his alien theory a bit harebrained, although I wouldn't discard it as being complete nonsense. In my opinion he interprets some of his sources far too literally (fish-tailed gods as real physical ET's), which I find surprising for a scholar of his intelligence and calibre.
What I liked though, is the flow of his writing, his sense of humour and his conclusions concerning the meaning of the Giza Sphinx.
A definitive classic in comparative mythology.
September 8, 2015
This is a brilliant book on mans' connection with the stars and other worlds condemned as being without evidence, but then so have been many sci-fi books which have paved the way with far out concepts which have come true. Sure the book is speculative but much of the information make one think seriously about our place in the universe and that we may freely travel in it with its other members if we only have the intelligence to do so.
May 23, 2013
I had a lot of fun with this book. It's great to suspend disbelief and imagine that there really is a civilization out there. Aside from this, the value of works like this is that they bring out many things for which we have no answer. Academia needs to address itself to the Dogon and not simply wave their mythology off - vacuums have a way of being filled up.
July 28, 2011
a bit heavy-going at times but a deeply thought-provoking book
May 25, 2014
Fun ideas. I always enjoy playing "what if?".
August 20, 2025
4.4 Plemię Dogonów imponuje mi.
April 19, 2018
This book was awful. While it appears to be a work of real academic scholarship, it is anything but.
The entire basis of this book is based upon findings of anthropologists who’s work has been entirely discredited. Not to mention many of his other sources such as, Robert Graves, have also been discredited in the academic community.
The claims made by Temple are simply ridiculous as he confuses probability with plausibility throughout his novel. The connections he makes between the ancient civilizations of Egypt with Sumer as well as Ancient Greece are written in such a confusing manner to make them appear credible or factual but when closely examined are simply ridiculous.
I do not normally review books if I do not like them but this is an exception. I am choosing to believe that this book has only been given such a high rating because everyone reviewed it as a work of fiction and in no way could possibly believe any of the well camouflaged lies.
The entire basis of this book is based upon findings of anthropologists who’s work has been entirely discredited. Not to mention many of his other sources such as, Robert Graves, have also been discredited in the academic community.
The claims made by Temple are simply ridiculous as he confuses probability with plausibility throughout his novel. The connections he makes between the ancient civilizations of Egypt with Sumer as well as Ancient Greece are written in such a confusing manner to make them appear credible or factual but when closely examined are simply ridiculous.
I do not normally review books if I do not like them but this is an exception. I am choosing to believe that this book has only been given such a high rating because everyone reviewed it as a work of fiction and in no way could possibly believe any of the well camouflaged lies.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 27, 2021
Insanely interesting theory, that human civilisation was giften from an amphibious species from the star system of Sirius. This whole theory is based on the well preserved mythology of the Dogon people of southern Mali.
On the book itself: The first third of the book acts as an introduction and general explaination of the whole theory surrounding the Sirius mystery, a pleasant read that is easy to follow and understand. The second third however, is the part where Temple tries to present the evidence by comparing different ancient cultures and their linguistic similarities and origins and then tying it to the visit from the Sirius amphibians. This part is really tedious to read and hard to follow, I would almsot recommend skipping it entirely for the casual reader that is only interested in the theory's premesis as a whole. The third part wraps up the whole book in a fantastic way and explains everything that has been covered in the second part only more compressed.
On the book itself: The first third of the book acts as an introduction and general explaination of the whole theory surrounding the Sirius mystery, a pleasant read that is easy to follow and understand. The second third however, is the part where Temple tries to present the evidence by comparing different ancient cultures and their linguistic similarities and origins and then tying it to the visit from the Sirius amphibians. This part is really tedious to read and hard to follow, I would almsot recommend skipping it entirely for the casual reader that is only interested in the theory's premesis as a whole. The third part wraps up the whole book in a fantastic way and explains everything that has been covered in the second part only more compressed.
March 20, 2008
neat ideas presented here but it goes off subject with toomuch heavy data and what if's.
problem is most people don't understand that a lot of the ancient scriptures were written with the spirit of the word in mind not the litteral tranlation of it.
Here he was looking to hard the connection of the data and not just sticking to the facts. lost a lot of good adat cause of that.
lots and lots of data combined to make lots of heavy reading. Break out your dictionaries and mythology books and ancient maps to follow along for this adventure.
problem is most people don't understand that a lot of the ancient scriptures were written with the spirit of the word in mind not the litteral tranlation of it.
Here he was looking to hard the connection of the data and not just sticking to the facts. lost a lot of good adat cause of that.
lots and lots of data combined to make lots of heavy reading. Break out your dictionaries and mythology books and ancient maps to follow along for this adventure.
September 8, 2015
If you believe Homo Sapiens is likely to arrived on Earth via an alien race and want some seriously intelligent and imaginative evidence for it then this is the exceptional book for you. Many people, including the great DNA scientist Francis Crick hold the same views as explained in the novel The Royal Secret and that humanity has the means to return from whence it came. This book maybe speculative but it if so it is brilliantly done.
April 20, 2011
Maybe it's my pea brain but I found this book to be muddled and confusing. Just when Mr. Temple gets on to a great point, he goes off on some tangent and loses my interest. He's a bit of a name dropper and likes to pat himself on the back. That said, it does pose some great questions about the mysterious antiquities of our planet and origins. Do the Dogons hold the key?
July 28, 2011
This is a very interesting book. It goes too many details time to time but still it is very intriguing. At the end of the book, Mr. Temple is talking about how a member of the Masons approached him and showed their interest in his research. If there is another Masonic group in the Sirius system, we are really doomed.
July 21, 2007
Mostly notable in that it is not as bad as Von Danniken.
December 27, 2008
A great book about the possibility of alien contact in prehistoric human civilizations.
May 6, 2009
I borrowed this from Doc like 6 years ago and read it but I just found it at a used book store and I'm gonna read it again cause I don't remember if I'm convinced or not.
January 15, 2011
Enjoyed it.
October 3, 2011
Alot of reseach, text not many pictures. This is a thinking book.
I like that it is updated thru time. Fascinating! Technology is proof to the pudding. Who really knows?
I like that it is updated thru time. Fascinating! Technology is proof to the pudding. Who really knows?
November 1, 2014
must read for yourself. skeptical at first glance, but once read into, and with the historical evidence of the Dogon Tribe, it seems plausable.
June 25, 2020
I tried to read it but it was so boring....
October 10, 2020
"But the sad part of the aftermath of The Sirius Mystery was the extreme and virulent hostility towards me by certain security agencies, most notably the American ones."
November 30, 2023
This was a truly fascinating book which mainly focuses on the ancient African Dogon tribe and their connection with the nommo who were said to have travelled from the star Sirius B which isn't visible to the naked eye yet the dogon tribe thousands of years ago were aware of its existence and placement. Incredible as that may be and I'm a firm believer in ancient astronaut visitation, I just couldn't roll with Robert Temples writing style and feel he draws out his writing far too much to the point of having to keep putting the book down and going back to it a day or 2 later. I'm not in no way saying he's a bad writer because he isn't, his work is superb I just felt he took the long way around in getting to the point which lost me throughout, however the message is there and the evidence is too which is what matters at the end of the day. Seek this out if you are curious about ancient extra terrestrial visitation in our remote past.🙏🌌
March 3, 2024
A classical book and must be read by anyone who is interested in the Ancient Alien Theory. Funny enough the book could have finished in the first sixty pages. After that, the author tries to tie his points to some doubtful mental gymnastics on mythology, which I don't believe proves his point but it is a rather dull display of erudition, but if you are into this academic exercise you will probably find fun. The premise of the book is that two early French anthropologists lived with the Dogon and discovered that they had a scientific view of the Sirius star system and its cycles, turns out that they were right, and this way it gives credence to their mythology that they were taught by some beings from this very star system. Some people tried to debunk the story, Philip Coppens himself tried, I am still undecided but it does imply there is some truth to it.
July 16, 2025
The alien aspect is not really properly argued for. It's almost like an after-thought, an excuse to get this other material out there. Perhaps to filter out people who desire to appear serious. The real subject is the centrality of stellar wisdom to intellectual history and development of science. This book contains a ~boatload~ of very interesting material for anyone who is willing to entertain the notion that science, in fact, did not begin with Greek natural philosophy. Many symbolic keys pursued to extremity far beyond the usually presumed level of complacency. This is like entering a kind of soup-level of commonly known concepts and mythemes past their normally solid realities.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews