Anatomiya Fenomenov - No 7 - 2008

Magazine Overview

Title: Анатомия феноменов (Anatomy of Phenomena)
Issue: No. 7
Date: August 2008
Publisher: ИГ Уфологический Комитет - Космопоиск (Ufological Committee - Kosmopoisk)

This issue of the 'Anatomy of Phenomena' bulletin from the Ufological Committee - Kosmopoisk reviews the committee's activities in 2007 and looks ahead to 2008. The publication highlights the committee's expeditions and investigations into various anomalous phenomena, with a focus on meteoritics, poltergeists, UFOs, and astroarchaeology.

Editorial Introduction

The editorial notes that 2007 was an active year for the 'Ufological Committee,' with 11 expeditions and 9 reconnaissance trips. The bulletin aims to provide an update since the previous issue, covering ongoing research projects. The overall ufological situation in the country is described as calm, with few reported UFO sightings, most of which were explained by mundane causes, such as illuminated birds mistaken for UFOs. A prediction is made for an increase in 'crop circle' appearances in Belarus in 2008, referencing a last recorded case in 2000. The issue also focuses on long-term research projects, including the search for meteorites, the study of potential astroarchaeological sites, and investigations into poltergeist phenomena. Readers are encouraged to submit their own reports of UFO sightings or anomalous events.

Meteoritics: The Meteorite Epic

This section details the 'Ufological Committee's' efforts in meteorite research, a growing area of interest. The committee has been involved in searching for meteorite samples in Belarus since late 2006, aiming to contribute to scientific knowledge, as Belarusian scientists currently lack the resources for such field research. The search is conducted legally with permission from the Commission on Meteorites at the Institute of Geochemistry and Geophysics of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, with findings to be transferred to the commission free of charge.

The search for a meteorite in the Vileyka region began after a report in September 2006 of a bright, luminous object falling, followed by a jolt. Despite initial expeditions in December 2006 and March 2007, and the involvement of Latvian and Czech parapsychologists, no significant findings were made. A final search in September 2007 also proved unsuccessful. The reasons for the failure remain unclear, with possibilities including the meteorite not having fallen, landing elsewhere, or falling into a river. The search was suspended due to the lack of additional data.

Despite the setback in Vileyka, interest in meteoritics continued. The committee investigated a potential meteorite crater in the Stolbtsy district, identified by geologists. Local legends spoke of a stone falling in the late 19th century, creating a large pit. Expeditions in June and August 2007, involving representatives from the Institute of Geophysics and Geochemistry, and later with assistance from the newspaper 'Respublika' and the Ministry of Emergency Situations, involved excavations. However, these efforts concluded that the site was not a meteorite impact structure. Further investigation using a 'Zond-1' ground-penetrating radar in November 2007 suggested continued search efforts for 2008.

If You Witness a Meteorite Fall...

This guide provides practical advice for witnesses of meteorite falls. It explains that a falling meteorite appears as a fiery ball (bolide) due to atmospheric friction. Witnesses are advised to accurately record the date, time, location, duration of the event, and any associated phenomena such as light, sound, and visible trails. Detailed instructions are given on how to estimate angles, directions, and sizes using simple tools or body parts. The guide emphasizes the importance of noting weather conditions and making sketches or taking photographs. It also covers what to do upon finding a meteorite, including examining the impact site, assessing the meteorite's temperature, and carefully documenting its position and any ejected material before extraction.

'Dubay Samples': UFOs, Poltergeists, or Meteorites?

This article investigates an event in the village of Duboy, Pinsk district, on April 4, 1991, where dark, rough stones fell from the sky onto several houses. The stones, described as 5-10 cm in size, were not found to be damaging and had unusual crystalline properties. Initial analysis by geologists was inconclusive. The stones were sent to Nikolai Sergeevich Novogorodov in Tomsk, who concluded they were ordinary crushed stone. The phenomena were attributed to poltergeist activity, though witnesses did not recall other typical poltergeist manifestations.

Poltergeist in the Borisov District

This report details a series of unexplained events that occurred in a house in the Borisov district, Minsk region, starting in April 2007. The phenomena included torn documents, objects being moved, knife marks on walls, and spilled food. The local police were involved but could not provide an explanation, leading to the family seeking help from paranormal investigators. The events seemed to follow a pattern, occurring at intervals of three days, nine days, or 21 days. The number of torn pieces of paper also increased over time. The knife marks on the wall were accompanied by a small piece of wallpaper and a liquid resembling blood, which were sent for analysis. Other incidents included ketchup being spilled on the floor, coffee being poured into a sugar bowl, and a jar of condensed milk being emptied. The family also reported finding a service set arranged on the floor. The article notes that no fingerprints were found on the objects. The phenomena were not considered malicious but rather like childish pranks. The house was also blessed by a priest, but the activity continued. The article concludes by stating that the investigation is ongoing.

Teiki: Was There a Poltergeist?

This section recounts an investigation into a report from the village of Teiki concerning moving objects and disembodied voices. Upon arrival, investigators found that the house in question had burned down shortly after the initial report was made. While the fire was attributed to drunkenness, subsequent events, including the death of a woman and another relative falling into a coma, raised suspicions. However, further inquiries with locals and the family who relocated after the fire yielded no confirmation of poltergeist activity. The investigators were left uncertain whether the initial report was a hoax or if the events were connected to the fire and subsequent tragedies.

Ghost in the Camera's View

This report describes an incident in Pinsk where a security camera captured an unusual, column-like object. Initially thought to be a ghost or apparition, further investigation revealed the 'ghost' to be a fly that had landed on the camera lens. The fly's movement and the focus of the lens created a distorted image that was misinterpreted by the observer. The article emphasizes that the phenomenon had a simple, mundane explanation.

Snow Circles Phenomenon in Belarus

This article discusses the first recorded instance of snow circles in Belarus, observed in January 2008 in Kvasovka, Grodno region. The phenomenon, more common in Russia and other countries, involves the formation of geometric patterns in snow or crops. While some attribute these formations to natural causes or hoaxes, others suggest a connection to UFOs or unusual atmospheric events. In Kvasovka, three circular formations were found near a school. Initially, the 'Ufological Committee' suspected a connection to children's activities, a common explanation for crop circles. However, upon visiting the site, they discovered that the circles were indeed created by local youths, including an eleventh-grader named Vladimir Kirichenko, who demonstrated the technique of trampling the snow to create the patterns. The article details the process of creating both concentric circles and spiral patterns, noting that the spiral pattern observed in Kvasovka was likely made by a right-handed person. Despite the mundane explanation, the article mentions that some witnesses reported unusual red flashes in the sky around the time the circles appeared, leaving a slight hint of mystery.

Ancient Observatory on Lake Yanovo?

This section explores the archaeological site known as 'Kamiani' (Stones) near Lake Yanovo in the Polotsk district, believed to be an ancient astronomical observatory. The site, first described by E. Levkov, consists of a 'П'-shaped formation of granite and gneiss stones. Initial studies indicated that the sides of the formation were oriented towards cardinal directions, with the open part facing northwest. Astronomical calculations by Vladimir Larionov in 1996 suggested the site was used in pre-Christian and later periods to determine the shortest night and longest day of the year (summer solstice). The name 'Yanovo' is linked to the summer solstice celebrations (Kupala, Ivan Kupala). Excavations by E. Zaykovsky at the site revealed no cultural layer, but a nearby hill, Gorodets, showed evidence of an ancient settlement. Research by the group 'Paramir' in 1999 suggested the complex could also be used to determine winter solstice and equinoxes. The 'Ufological Committee' visited the site in August 2006 and found unusual stones on the shore of the lake, which were also linked to the 'Yanovo' name.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores anomalous phenomena, presenting both investigations and eyewitness accounts. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, seeking rational explanations for reported events while not entirely dismissing the possibility of extraordinary phenomena. The publication encourages reader participation by soliciting reports of their own experiences. Themes recurring throughout the issue include the scientific investigation of unexplained events, the role of eyewitness testimony, and the potential for misinterpretation of natural or man-made occurrences as paranormal.

This issue of 'ASTROARCHAEOLOGY' (issue number 12) focuses on the investigation of megalithic stone formations at Lake Yanovo in Belarus. The magazine details several astroarchaeological expeditions conducted between 2007 and 2008, aiming to understand the purpose and origin of these enigmatic structures.

The Lake Yanovo Stone Formations

The primary subject is a collection of approximately 16 large stone clusters found near Lake Yanovo. These formations were initially noted by E. Levkov, but their spatial relationship and potential purpose were further explored by subsequent expeditions. The article highlights that while some stones were found in a relatively natural arrangement, others showed signs of human intervention, with the discovery of metal cables and agricultural tool parts suggesting that some stones might have been moved and placed deliberately.

One particular stone cluster, described as a potential ancient observatory, stands out due to its unique configuration compared to the others. The orientation of this cluster is analyzed, with suggestions that it might align with the summer solstice sunset, specifically on June 22nd, as observed by local residents who perceive the stones as forming letters like 'P' or 'U'. The article also touches upon the lake's name possibly having a relevant meaning.

Expeditions and Research

Two key expeditions are detailed:

• August 17-21, 2007: An astroarchaeological expedition and gathering involving 11 participants from Belarus and Russia. The main goal was to map the stones and determine the azimuths between megaliths. The 'glacial' version for the stones' origin was considered most probable, but the presence of man-made artifacts cast doubt on this purely natural explanation.
• July 24-26, 2008: A follow-up expedition with five participants, including archaeologist E. Zaikovsky from the Institute of History, who had a permit for excavations. This expedition aimed to find additional evidence of artificial placement and to investigate the astronomical function claims.

Debates and Findings

There is a debate among researchers regarding the interpretation of the Lake Yanovo stones. A. Perepelitsyn, from the 'Labirint' group, suggested that the stones do not constitute an ancient astronomical observatory but might have served as a pagan shrine ('kapishche'). He supported his view by comparing the site to typical moraine ridges found in the Pskov region, which bear a resemblance to the formations at Yanovo.

The article also addresses the statistical challenges of identifying astronomical alignments within natural stone clusters. It is noted that with a large number of stones (91 visible stones at Yanovo), it's possible to find seemingly significant alignments by chance, using formulas like n(n-1) for possible directions. The research emphasizes the need for rigorous analysis, similar to the work done for Stonehenge by Gerald Hawkins.

Archaeological Excavation of Stone № 91

As part of the 2008 expedition, an archaeological excavation was conducted on stone № 91, chosen for its unusual rectangular shape and its location away from the main cluster. The stone's form raised suspicions of artificial shaping, though V. Vinokurov from the Institute of Geochemistry and Geophysics stated that such rock formations can occur naturally.

A 2x2 meter excavation was dug around stone № 91, oriented by cardinal directions. No cultural layer was found, and previous archaeological work in the area had also yielded no ancient human traces. The artifacts discovered were recent: a harrow tooth and a small piece of rusted metal. At a depth of 0.5 meters, the bedrock was reached. In the southwest part of the excavation, a half-meter diameter boulder was found buried underground, along with smaller stones that hindered further digging. At a depth of 0.77 meters (0.2 meters deeper than the average bedrock level), the bedrock was encountered again. This deeper bedrock level might indicate the presence of a pit where stone № 91 was originally placed.

Conclusion and Future Work

This was the third expedition to Lake Yanovo, and the researchers acknowledge that much work remains. The possibility of returning for further investigations is mentioned.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine appears to be dedicated to exploring anomalous phenomena, particularly those related to archaeology, astronomy, and potential extraterrestrial influences (ufology). The editorial stance seems to favor rigorous scientific investigation, acknowledging the complexities and debates within the field, while also highlighting intriguing possibilities and ongoing research. The publication actively promotes its regional representatives and online presence, encouraging reader engagement and the reporting of unusual events.