Robert Charroux

The French author who supported the ancient astronaut theory

Name	Robert Joseph Grugeau
Age	69
Born	April 7, 1909
Died	June 24, 1978
Famous for	Writing books centered on the ancient astronaut theory

Robert Joseph Grugeau was mainly known under his pen name, “Robert Charroux.” He was initially a fiction author but changed his focus to nonfiction in the 1960s to explore the mysteries of our ancient past. 

He was among the pioneers who explored the theory of ancient astronauts, which laid the groundwork for authors and researchers to treat it as a serious topic worth delving into.

His Interest in the Ancient Past – What Led to It?

Robert Charroux had accomplished many things in his life: he was an athletics champion, a scuba diver, a journalist, a treasure hunter, and an archaeologist.¹ But the path that led him to become widely known in the circle began when he founded the International Club of Treasure Seekers in 1956. 

His treasure hunting and globetrotting with the club led him to discover civilizations that had disappeared or originated elsewhere.² And for someone who loved a good mystery and the unknown like him, it took no time for him to become fascinated with their history.

His Belief in the Theory of Ancient Astronauts 

The things Robert Charroux had dug, seen, and read served as the basis for his belief that advanced civilizations before us had received knowledge and been influenced by extraterrestrials who had visited Earth. (This is the premise of the ancient astronaut theory.)

Unfortunately, that’s all we can share. We lack concrete information about the specifics of how Charroux came to this thought at the time of writing. If you have valuable resources on this topic, we would greatly appreciate it if you could share them with us.

How the Theory Ties to Ufology

The ancient astronaut theory can be considered the historical extension of Ufology, wherein:

• The interaction with the extraterrestrials began in ancient times.
• Ancient artefacts, architecture, and texts could be evidence of our ancestors’ interactions with them.
• The extraterrestrials’ purpose of visit was to share cultural and technological knowledge.

His Ufology-Related Publications

Robert Charroux had written books that demonstrated how Earth’s ancient civilizations had contact with extraterrestrials. Many of his readers practically devoured these books, resulting in reprints, because of his vivid narratives and use of accessible language.

• One Hundred Thousand Years of Man’s Unknown History, 1963
• Legacy of the Gods, 1964
• Masters of the World, 1967
• Our Extraterrestrial Ancestors, 1969
• The Gods Unknown, 1969
• The Mysterious Unknown, 1969
• Forgotten Worlds, 1971
• Mysteries of the Gods: Ancient Astronauts Throughout Mankind’s History, 1971
• The Mysterious Past, 1973

His Critics

Many of Robert Charroux’s colleagues, historians, and archaeologists were skeptical of his books, pointing out that:

• They’re pseudohistory. He was claiming to abide by scholarly historical research but was distorting or misrepresenting historical records.
• He never departed from being a fictional author.⁴ His narratives were outside normal conventions and were without solid evidence to support them.

His Influence on Future Ufologists

Despite the criticisms, Robert Charroux’s books inspired individuals to look beyond humanity’s understanding of history and the unexplained phenomena. Only when we’ve explored all possible avenues does the impossible become probable.

He had also contributed to establishing the ancient astronaut theory as a field worthy of serious scientific inquiry.

If this topic fascinates you, explore more UFO-related articles on UFO Connect to dive deeper into the mysteries of our universe.

FAQ

How is he remembered in Ufology?

Robert Charroux is remembered as the French author who speculated on the connection between our ancient history and extraterrestrial beings.

What did he believe about extraterrestrials?

Robert Charroux believed that extraterrestrials had interacted with our ancestors and imparted knowledge on them.

Is there any scientific support for his claims?

From what we’ve gathered, Robert Charroux’s claims were allegedly based on his speculations, drawn from historical accounts, artifacts, ancient texts, and archaeological sites he examined. No solid scientific tests have proven them true at this time.