Who exactly are the Anunnaki? From which planet are they described as originating?

Alright, no problem! Let's dive into this incredibly fascinating topic. The name Anunnaki, right from the start, conjures up a sense of mystery, doesn't it?

Who Exactly Are the Anunnaki?

Simply put, regarding the question 'Who are the Anunnaki?', there are two main versions of the story: one from ancient mythology and another from modern interpretations.

1. The Mythological Version: Sumerian Deities

In their most original context, within the cuneiform tablets of the several-thousand-year-old Sumerian civilization (located in what is now Iraq), 'Anunnaki' refers to a group of extremely important gods in Sumerian mythology.

They can be understood as the Sumerian equivalent of the 'Olympian Gods'. Just as Greek mythology has Zeus, Hera, and the others, Sumerian mythology also had its own pantheon.
The word 'Anunnaki' can be roughly translated as 'princely offspring' or 'those of royal bloodline from heaven'. They were high-ranking deities within the temples, led by the sky god 'Anu'.
These deities controlled all things in the world, such as the sky, earth, water, wind, destiny, and so on. They created the world and also determined the fate of humanity, sometimes helping people, and other times punishing them when angered (such as by unleashing the Great Flood).

So, from a historical and archaeological perspective, the Anunnaki were simply a group of deities worshipped by the ancient Sumerians.

2. The Modern 'Ancient Astronaut' Version: Visitors from Planet Nibiru

This version is more science fiction-oriented and popular, and it's what most people are interested in today. This theory primarily comes from an author named Zecharia Sitchin.

He wrote a series of books called 'The Earth Chronicles,' in which he proposed a very bold theory:

The Anunnaki were not gods, but aliens. He believed that the Sumerians worshipped these high-tech beings who descended from the heavens as gods.
He re-translated Sumerian cuneiform, arguing that the true meaning of 'Anunnaki' was 'those who from heaven came to Earth'.
He claimed that these extraterrestrials came to Earth for a specific purpose: to mine gold.

Which Planet Are They Described As Coming From?

According to Sitchin's theory, the Anunnaki's home planet is called 'Nibiru'.

The Legend of Planet Nibiru: Sitchin stated that Nibiru is an undiscovered twelfth celestial body in our solar system (the ancients counted the sun and moon). Its orbit is highly unusual, a large ellipse that brings it close to Earth only once every 3,600 years.
Purpose for Coming to Earth: It is said that Nibiru's atmosphere was experiencing problems, and gold dust could repair it. So, the Anunnaki piloted spacecraft, journeying to gold-rich Earth to mine it.
Creation of Humanity: Since mining was strenuous labor, the Anunnaki found themselves too exhausted. Therefore, their chief scientist combined their own genes with those of existing ancient hominids (such as Homo erectus) on Earth at the time, using genetic engineering to create a new species – us, Homo sapiens – to serve as their laborers.

To Summarize

So, to answer your questions:

Who are the Anunnaki?
- In mythology: They are a group of powerful gods worshipped by the ancient Sumerian civilization.
- In the modern 'ancient astronaut' theory: They are highly intelligent beings from another planet, and the creators of humanity.
Which planet did they come from?
- According to the 'ancient astronaut' theory, they came from a mysterious planet called Nibiru.

It's important to note: Zecharia Sitchin's theory is not accepted by mainstream scientific and historical communities. Scholars believe his translations and interpretations are flawed, and there is currently no archaeological or astronomical evidence to prove the existence of Planet Nibiru.

Nevertheless, this narrative is incredibly imaginative and captivating, which is why it has gained widespread popularity in pop culture, science fiction novels, films, and various esoteric circles, becoming an enduring and fascinating topic. You can certainly view it as a compelling work of science fiction!