Ancient Skies - Vol 01 No 3 - 1974-75

Magazine Overview

Title: ANCIENT SKIES
Issue: VOLUME 1, NUMBER 3
Date: JULY-AUGUST, 1974
Publisher: ANCIENT ASTRONAUT SOCIETY

This issue of ANCIENT SKIES focuses on reports of UFO activity and extraterrestrial encounters in Argentina, alongside discussions on ancient mysteries and space exploration. The magazine aims to explore the evidence for ancient astronauts and related phenomena.

Extraterrestrials and UFO's Panic Argentina

The lead article, reporting from El Comercio, Lima, Peru, details a growing psychosis in Argentina attributed to UFO sightings and the appearance of extraterrestrial beings. Some individuals have reportedly suffered nervous breakdowns and required hospitalization after witnessing humanoid figures and mysterious machines. Specific incidents include a woman in Bahia Blanca whose eyelashes were allegedly burned by the 'burning breath' of an extraterrestrial, and another woman in Neuquen who lost her speech due to shock after seeing a UFO and remains hospitalized.

UFO Submarine Bases in Patagonia

Antonio de las Heras, head of a special commission for the Society for the Investigation of Unexplained Phenomena, claims the existence of UFO submarine bases in the gulfs of San Martin and San Jorge in Patagonia, Argentina. This claim is based on an investigation spanning over a year. De las Heras recounts an incident from several years prior where two UFOs, emitting strange fluorescency, were seen plunging into the waters off the coast of Patagonia. Subsequent investigation revealed disturbed algae but no trace of the craft. De las Heras interprets this not as a malfunction but as a conscious immersion, with the UFOs continuing their course like submarines to their bases. He posits that these bases are located in Patagonia to avoid the dangerous radiations of the Van Allen Belt, offering a secure and less detectable location at the bottom of the sea.

The Stones Were Light As Cork!

This section recounts a legend from the Incas, as chronicled by Pedro de Cieza de Leon in 1553. The legend describes a period of darkness before the sun emerged from Lake Titicaca. A large white man, revered as the 'Maker' or 'Father of the Sun,' taught the people and then departed. Later, another white man, called 'Viracocha,' appeared, performed miracles, and healed the sick. When confronted by hostile natives, he knelt, and a great fire approached from the sky. The natives pleaded for help, and Viracocha ordered the fire to cease, which scorched the surrounding stones, making them light as cork. This Viracocha then departed by walking on water.

Urges Space Exploration and Colonization

David A. Krouse of Wallingford, Pennsylvania, writes in response to a previous issue, expressing his view that the U.S. space program has become too introspective and focused on environmental applications. He argues that the concept of ancient astronauts and extraterrestrial civilization should be sufficient cause for a massive commitment of global resources towards the exploration and colonization of planets within our solar system and beyond.

Plea to Save Utah Petroglyphs

Maurice R. Rogers of Chicago, Illinois, appeals for the preservation of ancient American Indian petroglyphs located in Capital Reef National Park, Utah. He describes the carvings on the cliff face, depicting figures in ceremonial costumes, animals, and obscure symbols, suggesting they might represent something from another world. Rogers highlights that nature is destroying these irreplaceable carvings, and urges the Ancient Astronaut Society and its members to advocate for their preservation by contacting legislators and the National Park Service.

Society Speakers Clearing House

The Ancient Astronaut Society is establishing a clearing house to connect members with lecturers on ancient astronaut and mystery theories. The service aims to facilitate bookings for schools, clubs, and organizations, with fees to be arranged directly between the speaker and sponsor. Individuals interested in being listed as lecturers are invited to submit their biographies and presentation details.

Erich von Daniken's Fall Lecture Tour

The itinerary for Erich von Daniken's forthcoming lecture tour in the United States and Canada is published, listing dates and locations from October to November 1974. The tour includes stops at various universities and colleges across the country.

Artist Litavsky Gives Second Work to Society

Chicago artist Andrew Litavsky has presented a second piece of artwork to the Ancient Astronaut Society. This painting is his interpretation of the figure on the Palenque Stone in Mexico, depicting an 'Astronaut' at the controls of a spaceship. The artwork, rendered in blue and white with unique plaster tufts, is now on display at the Society's World Headquarters.

Stuart W. Greenwood Fortfest Speaker

Stuart W. Greenwood, an Aerospace Engineer and Society member, delivered a major address at the International Fortean Organization's Convention, Fortfest. He discussed gold artifacts from Colombia, South America, which resemble modern delta-wing aircraft, and theorized they could have been aircraft, space shuttles, or one-way supply vehicles from orbit.

Brad Steiger Lecture Schedule

Brad Steiger's lecture schedule for September and October 1974 is provided, with appearances at Spiritual Frontiers Fellowship chapters and Psychic Info. Exchange events.

Book Review: Meine Welt in Bildern (Ancient Gods)

Greg Phillips reviews Erich von Daniken's book 'Ancient Gods,' available in English as 'In Search of Ancient Gods' or 'My Pictorial Evidence for the Impossible.' Phillips praises the book for presenting substantial evidence for von Daniken's theory that ancient 'gods' were actually spacemen. The review highlights the book's exploration of celestial fascination, ancient texts, telepathy in plants, spacecraft design, the Great Pyramid, the Palenque Stone, Nazca Plains, and a purported 12,600-year-old space probe orbiting the moon. Phillips describes the book as a factual documentary, admirably presenting its theories with photographs.

Ancient Astronautism Needs a Name!

Dr. Luis E. Navia, a professor of philosophy, addressed the Ancient Astronaut Society's meeting, emphasizing that the ancient astronaut theory is a science, not a religion or cult. He is completing a book on the scientific evaluation of the theory and proposes the term 'astroarcheology.' Other suggested terms include 'astronautical anthropology,' 'astroanthroarcheology,' 'pragmatic astrobiology,' 'preclassical astronautics,' 'extraterrestrial aeronautics,' 'aerospacial archaeology,' 'astronomics,' and 'astroidics.' The Society seeks suggestions for a distinctive and scientific name for the field.

Current Books on Ancient Mysteries

A list of paperback books on ancient mysteries is provided, featuring numerous titles by Erich von Daniken, Andrew Tomas, Charles Berlitz, John Wallace Spencer, and others, covering topics such as chariots of the gods, ancient civilizations, and UFOs.

New Official Bookstore

Connie Schoeld has opened BOOKS UNLIMITED in Mt. Prospect, Illinois, which will stock books of particular interest to Society members.

Second World Conference on Ancient Astronauts

Information is provided for the Second World Conference on Ancient Astronauts, scheduled for May 29-31, 1975, in Zurich, Switzerland. A charter flight from Chicago is also mentioned.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of ANCIENT SKIES are UFO sightings, extraterrestrial encounters, and the search for evidence of ancient astronauts. The magazine consistently presents information that supports the theory of ancient alien visitation, often citing historical texts, legends, and modern sightings. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry and a belief in the scientific validity of exploring these phenomena, as evidenced by the Society's activities, publications, and conferences. There is a clear effort to distinguish the field from 'occult' or religious interpretations, advocating for a scientific approach.