Every aspect of earthly cultures was inspired by religious forces, by gods and spirits, by animate nature and a universe shining with intelligence. The earth was alive and home to both terrestrial and extraterrestrial creatures. In Egypt, the latter were described by our ancestors as highly intelligent beings who built temples and organized cities, taught agriculture and husbandry, and established kingships. They were also magicians and taught their charges how to write and some of their other tricks. When troubled conditions caused them to leave, they left behind both instructions and apparatuses for carrying the instructions out so that communications might be maintained during the times of their absences. We should not consider them behind us, but beyond us.