Author, Russian-born, later Australian
Andrew Tomas
Russian-born UFO researcher and pioneering ancient astronaut theorist who became Australia's foremost voice in extraterrestrial archaeology.
Life and Migration
Andrew Tomas was born in 1906 in St. Petersburg, Russia, under the name A. Boncza-Tomaszewski. His early life took him across three continents: to Finland (1911), where his father served as a naval officer; to China (1920s–1940s), where he spent the next two decades until the Chinese Communist Revolution forced his relocation; and finally to Australia around 1948, where he became a citizen and spent the remainder of his life.
During the Cold War, facing suspicion over his ethnic origins, Tomas requested a name change under the ironically titled Aliens Act 1947, adopting the anglicized Andrew Tomas.
UFO Research and the AFSRS
By the mid-1950s, Tomas immersed himself in UFO research, becoming involved with the New South Wales branch of the Australian Flying Saucer Research Society (AFSRS), one of the earliest organized UFO investigative bodies in the region. This positioned him as a pioneering voice in Antipodean ufology during the early modern era.
Ancient Astronaut Theory
Tomas's most significant contribution lay in advancing ancient astronaut theory—the hypothesis that extraterrestrials visited Earth in antiquity and influenced early human civilizations. His first major work, The Planetary Doctrine (1935), predated or paralleled the later popularization of these ideas. His 1971 bestseller We Are Not the First: Riddles of Ancient Science arrived mere years after Erich von Däniken's Chariots of the Gods achieved worldwide success, establishing Tomas as an independent early theorist in the field.
Unlike his contemporary theorists, Tomas conceived of these cosmic visitors not as flesh-and-blood humanoids but as non-corporeal or 'mind-born' entities—an uncommon perspective that reflected his broader esoteric interests.
Prolific Author and Polyglot
Fluent in Russian, English, and French, Tomas published at least eight books exploring UFOs, ancient mysteries, and the possibility of extraterrestrial contact. His works were translated into over 60 languages, reaching a global audience. Notable titles include Beyond the Time Barrier, On the Shores of Endless Worlds: Ancient Astronauts and the Search For Cosmic Life, Atlantis: From Legend to Discovery, and Shambhala. For decades, he remained Australia's foremost UFO and ancient astronaut theorist, earning recognition in both mainstream publishing and fringe research communities.
Tomas lived until 2001, leaving behind a legacy that bridged early 20th-century ufology and the later explosion of ancient astronaut theories in popular culture.
Notable claims
- Extraterrestrials visited Earth in antiquity and left technological or cultural traces in early civilizations
- Aliens may be non-corporeal or 'mind-born' entities rather than physical beings
- Ancient mysteries—architecture, mythology, technological anomalies—bear evidence of extraterrestrial influence
- Advanced civilizations in antiquity possessed knowledge later forgotten by humanity
Key works
- The Planetary Doctrine (1935) — early exploration of cosmic influence on human history
- We Are Not the First: Riddles of Ancient Science (1971) — major work on ancient astronaut theory
- Beyond the Time Barrier — speculative physics and temporal phenomena
- On the Shores of Endless Worlds: Ancient Astronauts and the Search For Cosmic Life — dedicated ancient astronaut research
- Atlantis: From Legend to Discovery — lost civilizations and extraterrestrial contact
- Shambhala — mystical and cosmic themes
Watch
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Further reading
We Are Not the First: Riddles of Ancient Science
Tomas's own book
Beyond the Time Barrier (opens in a new tab)
Tomas's own book
On the Shores of Endless Worlds: Ancient Astronauts and the Search For Cosmic Life
Tomas's own book
Shambhala
Tomas's own book
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Also available
Chariots of the Gods?
A foundational documentary exploring the theory that extraterrestrials visited Earth in ancient times and influenced the development of human civilization. Based on Erich von Däniken's bestselling book, this Academy Award-nominated film examines ancient mysteries including Egyptian pyramids, Nazca lines, and Easter Island monuments as evidence of alien contact. Aligns with Tomas's central thesis about ancient advanced visitors.
In Search of Ancient Astronauts
A pioneering NBC television special narrated by Rod Serling that became the blueprint for the long-running 'In Search Of...' series. This documentary examines evidence of ancient astronauts visiting Earth through archaeological wonders, religious texts, and unexplained phenomena. A critical work in popularizing the ancient astronaut theory that dominated Tomas's research career.
In Search of Ancient Mysteries
Rod Serling explores ancient mysteries and their possible connections to extraterrestrial visitation. This documentary examines cave paintings, statues, and ancient writings as evidence that pre-historical peoples may have possessed advanced knowledge or had direct contact with alien civilizations. A companion to Serling's earlier ancient astronaut special, reflecting Tomas's core research interests.
Mysteries of the Gods
William Shatner narrates this documentary examining Erich von Däniken's ancient astronaut theories. The film explores evidence across cultures—from Peruvian crystal skulls to Southeast Asian megaliths, cave drawings, and biblical accounts—as supporting the hypothesis of extraterrestrial contact in antiquity. Directly aligned with Tomas's ancient astronaut research methodology.
Ancient Aliens
Series. A modern continuation of ancient astronaut theory exploring the hypothesis that extraterrestrials have visited Earth for millions of years, influencing human civilization, technology, and culture. Across 20+ seasons, the series examines archaeological mysteries and historical anomalies through the lens of alien contact—extending Tomas's life work into contemporary UFO and ancient astronaut discourse.
Buying through these links supports the library. We may earn a commission.
Notes
- The Intriguing Life of Andrew Tomas: The Mystic Who Chased UFOs, New Dawn Magazine
- Andrew Tomas - EverybodyWiki Bios & Wiki, EverybodyWiki
- Andrew Tomas - Goodreads Author Page, Goodreads
- We Are Not the First - Kirkus Reviews, Kirkus Reviews
Filed under
ProvenanceAgent indexedUpdated 4mo ago4 sources
Drafted by the archive's AI research agent from the sources below; corrections from readers are reviewed and folded in.
- First indexed
- 09 JUL 26 // 22:19Z
- Last updated
- 09 JUL 26 // 22:19Z
- The Intriguing Life of Andrew Tomas: The Mystic Who Chased UFOs, New Dawn Magazine
- Andrew Tomas - EverybodyWiki Bios & Wiki, EverybodyWiki
- Andrew Tomas - Goodreads Author Page, Goodreads
- We Are Not the First - Kirkus Reviews, Kirkus Reviews