ANCIENT SKIES

Magazine Overview

Title: ANCIENT SKIES
Issue: Volume 1, Number 1
Date: March-April, 1974
Publisher: Ancient Astronaut Society
Type: Official Logbook

Society Formation and Goals

The inaugural issue of ANCIENT SKIES announces the birth of the Ancient Astronaut Society on September 14, 1973. Conceived in January 1973, the society is an Illinois not-for-profit corporation organized exclusively for scientific, literary, and educational purposes. Its primary goals are to seek evidence for intelligent extraterrestrial life on Earth before recorded history and to determine if Earth was ever visited by alien beings. The society plans to disseminate knowledge to its members and the public through various activities, including expeditions, lectures, study groups, seminars, artifact collection, and the promotion of scientific research. A library will also be maintained.

Publications and Activities

ANCIENT SKIES will be published bi-monthly to keep members informed. Additionally, the Society intends to publish a Journal that will report on expeditions and conferences, featuring original articles on relevant subjects. The Society also plans to arrange expeditions, present lectures, and organize study groups and seminars.

Key Figures and Contributions

Erich von Daniken as First Lecturer: The Ancient Astronaut Society hosted its first lecturer, Erich von Daniken, the Swiss author of "Chariots of the Gods?", "Gods from Outer Space", and "The Gold of the Gods". His books have sold over 25,000,000 copies worldwide. The lecture and slide presentation took place on December 2nd at McGaw Hall, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois. Highlights included slides of the Ezekiel spaceship and the stone at Palenque, Mexico. Von Daniken encouraged the audience to view evidence with "today's Space-age eyes". When asked about academic degrees, he quipped that if one were offered in his subject, he would be the professor.

Andrew Litavsky's Artwork: Chicago artist Andrew Litavsky presented the Society with a painting based on a drawing in Erich von Daniken's "The Gold of the Gods". The artwork depicts an astronaut holding a disc, inspired by an ancient rock painting near Fergana, Uzbekistan, USSR. Mr. Litavsky's work has been displayed at the Citizens Bank & Trust Company in Park Ridge, Illinois, and is currently on display at the Society's World Headquarters.

Masthead Logo: The logo on the masthead was designed by Editor Richard T. Crowe. It features a gold trinket discovered in Colombia, South America, which resembles a modern delta-wing jet fighter, despite being made a thousand years before the Wright Brothers' historic flight.

Mary Ann Kresin Named Official Photographer: Mary Ann Kresin, a Chicago free-lance photographer, has been appointed the official photographer for the Ancient Astronaut Society. Her work will be featured in the Official Journal, and she will participate in Society expeditions. Mrs. Kresin has received numerous accolades, including a Life Magazine Photo Contest award and recognition as one of Chicago's top photographers.

Jane Myers on Atlantis: Jane Koukal Myers presented a comparison of Edgar Cayce's readings on Atlantis and Lumeria with current scientific opinion. Myers, a science writer and student of Cayce materials for twenty years, discussed the enduring fascination with the lost civilization of Atlantis.

David Techter on Olmec Culture: David Techter, Associate Editor of Fate Magazine, lectured on the Olmec Culture of Southern Mexico. He highlighted the Olmecs as potentially the oldest culture in North America, flourishing from 1200 B.C. to 200 B.C., and noted their sophisticated trade networks. Techter suggested that the defacement of Olmec statues might be related to political upheaval.

Olga Valentine Baker's Siberian 'Aztecs' Theory: Artist Olga Valentine Baker submitted a letter proposing a theory that a group of people in far northern Siberia, who called themselves 'Aztecs' around 1840, might be descendants of ancient astronauts. She theorizes that a crashed spaceship crew may have settled in Siberia, with some members eventually migrating to Mexico, potentially explaining Montezuma's reception of Cortes.

Richard T. Crowe's Lectures: Richard T. Crowe delivered a lecture on the Mysteries of Ireland, discussing the Great Stone Circle, Fairy Forts, Ghost Lights, and New Grange. He connected Irish folklore figures like the 'Little People' to the possibility of ancient astronauts.

Upcoming Events and Initiatives

First World Conference on Ancient Astronauts: The Society is organizing its First World Conference on Ancient Astronauts, scheduled for April 26-28 at the Arlington Park Towers in Arlington Heights, Illinois. The conference will feature lectures by various speakers, including David Techter, J. Gordon Melton, Brad Steiger, John W. White, Peter Tompkins, Ralph and Judy Blum, Dr. Luis E. Navia, Richard T. Crowe, and Erich von Daniken. A panel discussion will be moderated by Peter Reich.

Peru-Bolivia Expedition: The Ancient Astronaut Society is planning an expedition to Peru and Bolivia in March 1975 to explore physical evidence of prior civilizations. Participants are advised to ensure their passports are valid and to study relevant materials, including National Geographic articles and Fate Magazine.

New World Headquarters: Effective May 1, 1974, the Society's World Headquarters will move to larger offices at 600 Talcott Rd., Park Ridge, Illinois 60068.

Bookstore and Travel Agency: Walden Bookstore has been selected to operate the bookstore at the First World Conference. Ravinia Court Travel Service has been appointed the Society's official travel agency and is handling arrangements for the Peru-Bolivia Expedition and the First Annual World Conference.

'Chariots of the Gods?' Movie: Erich von Daniken's bestseller "Chariots of the Gods?" has been adapted into a full-length motion picture by Sun International. The magazine promises a review in the next issue and mentions that Sun International is producing another film based on "The Gold of the Gods".

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue strongly promotes the ancient astronaut theory, heavily referencing the works and lectures of Erich von Daniken. It emphasizes the Society's mission to find and disseminate evidence supporting the existence of ancient extraterrestrial visitors. The tone is enthusiastic and forward-looking, encouraging active participation and research from its members. The editorial stance is clearly aligned with the pursuit of unconventional historical and archaeological interpretations.