If you read the sumerian texts and parts of enoch as science fiction—you’ll see the common thread that runs through those times and this. (its said that enoch was written late or about 300 bc—or roughly the same time as icharus and deadalus in greek tradition
Science fiction and space aliens go hand in hand with rapid advances in science which bewilder people who then need explanations for what they see.
In the modern age hg wells war of the worlds preceded the first space alien sightings in the 20th century by maybe 50 years. there were no space alien sightings in the prior centuries.
“there were no space alien sightings in the prior centuries.”
Except this is not true... The concept has been documented through Christian and other faith’s art work for over a couple thousand years. The concept is not new at all:
https://duckduckgo.com/?t=lm&q=UFOs+in+ancient+art&iax=images&ia=images