U.F.Os

[123everton]

Where there any reported sightings of U.F.Os in the 19th century (or earlier)?
If not, why do you think that is?

[naomi24]

Yes, there were - and there are UFOs depicted in old paintings too.

http://www.crystalinks.com/ufohistory.html

[123everton]

Shouldn't post whilst tired, hence this question appears in R&S.
Apologies.

[naomi24]

Where did you want to post it then, Everton? I think it's very appropriate to R&S.

[naomi24]

Ah, BabyApe, a man after my own heart it seems. :o)

[naomi24]

Everton, scroll right through that link I gave you. There's some very interesting stuff there.

[123everton]

A lot of those interpretations require a degree of artistic licence to say the least.
The Chinese example relates to 1700 B.C, this is 100 years before the Shang dynsaty so it will be heavily reliant on the almost mythical histories that Confucious makes reference to consistently (largely faked) after Shi Huangdi destroyed earler literature in the foundling Chinese empire, added to that you have a derivative of the tale of the Monkey King (Sun Wukong) by Wu Chengen.
The Dutch sailing ships were more what I had in mind, and I'm curious as to whether there were many verifiable (as much as any such tale can be) accounts of mysterious lights in the sky in Victorian era magazines.

[naomi24]

I fail to see your point about the Chinese example. Whatever it is, it comes from a time long before the advent of manned flight.

How can old accounts possibly be verifiable, when even today we don't have verifiable accounts?

[123everton]

I woulda put it in S&C, no harm like but hey ho.
I did scroll through it, I was thinking more in terms of an account by such and such living somewhere or other in a periodical (or news paper) from God knows when, if you get my drift.
Babyape that tells us nothing just more artistic licence and conjecture.

[123everton]

The point of the Chinese example is that it relates to Chinese pre-history which in itself is long enough.
Pre Shang (and much post Shang) history is hard ascertain it is only when you enter the Zhou dynasty (who called the Shang "Yin") that you get reliable accounts, I think it's only recently that a pre Zhou era has been uneathed, the Monkey King flies on clouds as his preferred mode of travel put it all together and you've got an enjoyable yarn.

[naomi24]

I think you'll find more reports from very ancient times rather than from more modern times, Everton, but it's worth a look on the internet. I'm going to bed soon, but if I get time, I'll see what I can find tomorrow.

Incidentally, I haven't watched all the video BabyApe posted (I will), but the stories of the IndianVimanas (flying machines) aren't conjecture. They're well documented.

[naomi24]

Surely if it relates to pre-history, you have even more reason to investigate it. Don't you have to ask where these people got their ideas from?

[123everton]

Hi Bez, nah, just pondering.
Thing is Naomi Chinese pre-history is largely fictionalised and romanticised, referred to as the age of kings of good governence etc. the archetypal golden age.

[naomi24]

I think there's a lot of truth in ancient so-called myths, Everton, and I don't believe it's wise to assume it's all romanticised and fictionalised, because if we do that, the chances are we're missing clues to the past that are staring us in the face..

[naomi24]

Type 'UFOs 19th century' into Google. You'll have to sift through all the links, but here are a couple that might interest you.

http://science.howstuffworks.com/ufo-history4.htm

http://www.russianspy.org/2006/02/07/ancient-russian-manuscript-describes-19th-century-ufo-sightings/

[Ankou]

there is nothing scientific about these ufo sightings in my view. it just comes from imagination, and imagination has existed since humans first existed, as has religion/superstitions/spirituality.

[123everton]

I was wondering (primarily) given that there was a huge popular press during the mid 19th century onwards why there wasn't more stories of coach men and cobblers etal seeing strange lights in the sky.