I. Introduction
It's been quite a number of years now that many researchers in the field of ET/UFO have used Zecharia Stichin's (unproven) statements to support the idea that humanity was a creation of extra-terrestrial beings named ANUNNAKI, whose planet of origin is NIBIRU.
Although my own research has led me to the conclusion that humanity is the creation (through genetic programming and cloning) of reptilian beings which were not of our solar system, there is absolutely no Mesopotamian clay tablet which supports Sitchin's specific arguments.
Sitchin has never answered to any of his critics, and the only reference he gave (seal VA-243) has no astronomical value whatsoever.
II. A list of some of Sitchin's errors
1. NIBIRU
This is not the home planet of the ANUNNA(KI).
The only home of the ANUNNA(KI) mentioned in the Sumerian tablets is the DUKU(G) ("holy mound" in Sumerian.) Moreover, Sumerian astronomical texts state that NIBIRU was visible in the sky every year, thus dismissing the possibility of an outer planet with a long elliptical orbit of 3,600 years.
According to Anton Parks' own research (see references below), NIBIRU (NEBERU in Akkadian) is the planet Venus, the celestial disrupter. In Egyptian, NEB-HERU means "The Lord Horus." HORUS is symbolized by the Morning Star, Venus, just as the Christ.
2. The ANUNNA(KI)
2.1 They were not the Sumerian chief gods
The Sumerian chiefs gods were the USHUMGAL whose supreme chief was AN.
A decomposition of the word USHUMGAL in Sumerian particles gives: USHUM (dragon, monarch) - GAL (great) thus "great dragon or monarch."
According to Anton Parks, the seven USHUMGAL who ruled over KALAM (Sumer) were AN, ANSHAR, KISHAR, LAHMU, LAHAMU, ENLIL and NINMAH. However, technically (genetically) ENLIL and NINMAH were not USHUMGAL. ENLIL was a NUNGAL and NINMAH (who had the knowledge of cloning) was an AMASHUTUM priestess.
The ANUNNA(KI) were merely warriors without any knowledge of genetics and cloning. All of these reptilian creatures called themselves GINA'ABUL ("lizard" in Sumerian) or GI-NA-AB-UL ("veritable ancestor of the splendor").
2.2 The word ANUNNAKI does not mean "those from heaven who came to earth"
The compound word ANUNNAKI is decomposed as such: ANUNNA - KI (Earth) thus "ANUNNA of the Earth."
A decomposition of the word ANUNNA in Sumerian particles gives: A (offspring) - NUN (prince) - NA (genitive suffix) thus "noble stock or princely progeny."
ANUNNA also means fear or dread.
2.3 They were not mining gold for the purpose of repairing the atmosphere of their home planet
As stated in section II.1, NIBIRU is not the home planet of the ANUNNA(KI), and nowhere on any clay tablet is stated that they were mining gold with the goal of repairing its atmosphere.
According to Anton Parks, the home planet of the ANUNNA(KI) is rightly the DUKU which is located in the UBSHU'UKKINA (the star Maia) system in MULMUL (the Pleiades.)
3. The NEPHILIM
The meaning of this word is not "those who came down from above."
Since NEPHILIM is plural, and if that word comes from the Hebrew NAPHAL (to fall), then the closest translation would be "those who are fallen."
A decomposition of the word NEPHILIM in Sumerian particles reveals an interesting meaning (no 'F/PH' in Sumerian so we use 'H' instead): NE (fear) - HI'IL'IM (Emesal dialect for Sumerian HA-LAM (destruction)) thus "fear and destruction."
According to Anton Parks, the NEPHILIM were the SHEMSU ("followers" in Egyptian) of HERU/HORUS. They are not to be mistaken with the Watchers of the Bible, who he equates with the NUNGAL/IGIGI, the SHEMSU of ENKI/ASAR/OSIRIS.
4. The ELOHIM
Sitichin is right to observe that the Hebrew word ELOHIM is (masculine) plural, suggesting that the "Adamic" lines of the Genesis were the product of a group of creators, and not YHWH (Yahvé.) However, as some think, this word does not mean at all "the shining ones" or any similar appellation. Neither there is any hint that these creators were the ANUNNA(KI).
A decomposition in Sumerian particles reveals the original, hidden meaning of the word (no 'O' in Sumerian so we use 'U' instead): EL/IL (elevated) - U (powerful) - HI (to mix) - IM (clay) thus "the powerful elevated beings who mixed the clay." In the context of the Genesis, the clay symbolizes Man, the clay being.
Anton Parks equates the ELOHIM with the KADISHTU ("ancient assemblers of life" in Sumerian), a confederation of life designing races which had the responsibility of our solar system (TIAMATE.)
III. Conclusion
Aside from Anton Parks' own assertions, what I have stated above are facts that anybody endowed with critical thinking can check for themselves. I think it is time for the ET/UFO researchers to cease to repeat Sitchin's statements without even bothering to check their validity.
Supporters of Sitchin's ideas should have a look at Michael Heiser's critical analysis of his (poorly researched) work. Although Heiser does not support the Ancient Astronauts hypothesis, he is a linguist (M.A. and Ph.D. in Hebrew Bible and Semitic Languages) and his analysis is nonetheless rigorous.
For an alternative and completely original analysis of the ancient Sumerian, Egyptian and Biblical texts, I highly recommend anybody with an interest in ET/UFO and human origins to have a look at the research work of Anton Parks (
www.antonparks.com and
www.ages-of-uras.com).
Quote from
http://alienstranger.com/heiserAOD2004.htm :
"A popular guest on Coast to Coast AM, Art Bell says "Mike [Michael Heiser] is uniquely qualified to discuss the relationship between ancient texts and ufology..." Mike has appeared twice a year since 2000, with Art Bell, George Noory and Barbara Simpson, answering questions pertaining to the Nephilim of Genesis 6 and his critiques of Zechariah Sitchin's errors. Upon hearing only one of these shows, speaker and author Jim Marrs told Mike that he wished he'd heard Mike Heiser's analysis before endorsing Zecharia Sitchin in his book, Alien Agenda."
Quote from
http://www.zeitlin.net/EndEnchantment/Secrets.html :
"Throughout his books, and in public talks, Zecharia Sitchin has ascribed the remarkable longevity of the Anunnaki to their home dwelling place, the planet Nibiru, whose orbital period is 3600 earth years. This, he says, means that every year of the life of an Anunnaki god equals 3600 years of earth human life. That no one challenges Sitchin on this nutty idea is a tribute to the cultish quality of his following. However he was challenged once - by me [Gerry Zeitlin], at a public appearance in the Bay area. I simply asked him how he might justify the assertion that longevity and aging are linked to the length of a planet's year. His reply: "Next question?"
IV. References
Anton Parks' research work available at:
http://www.antonparks.com
Gerry Zeitlin's study of Anton Parks' work available at:
http://www.ages-of-uras.com
Michael Heiser's critique of Zecharia Sitchin's work available at:
http://www.michaelsheiser.com
John A. Halloran's Sumerian lexicon available for free at:
http://www.sumerian.org
René Labat and Florence Malbran-Labat's manual of Akkadian epigraphy available at:
http://www.geuthner.com