ANCIENT SKIES

Magazine Overview

Title: ANCIENT SKIES
Issue: VOLUME 2, NUMBER 3
Date: JULY-AUGUST, 1975
Publisher: ANCIENT ASTRONAUT SOCIETY

This issue of ANCIENT SKIES, the official logbook of the Ancient Astronaut Society, presents a collection of articles exploring various aspects of ancient mysteries, technology, and potential extraterrestrial influences.

Solving the Nazca Mysteries

The lead article by Robert Earle, a metallurgical engineer with NASA, proposes a theory to explain the Nazca markings in Peru. Earle was particularly impressed by Erich von Däniken's claim that the hundreds of miles of "aircraft runway" markings on the Nazca Plain were made of steel. Earle discovered that the iron oxide has been moved to form linear mounds on either side of the runways, which are level, precisely parallel, and exactly straight, spanning several miles at a distance of 22 feet from peak to peak. He reasons that steel rails would have been ideal for spacecraft landing and takeoff, especially for large craft that are difficult to slow down and recover. Earle suggests that a laser device could have transformed the iron oxide mounds into linear runways with steel rails. He outlines four reasons why a steel-railed runway would be a space engineer's dream: (1) large spacecraft are difficult to slow down and recover, as evidenced by American space flights ending in splashdowns; (2) conventional braking systems are useless at re-entry speeds, even with long runways; (3) steel rails with a linear-induction-motor levitation system could help a craft take off by reversing thrust, avoiding the need to drop stages like rockets; and (4) star travelers cannot continue their trip using a refueling-as-he-goes concept if they have to leave parts of their craft behind. Earle acknowledges that extraterrestrials would have needed a powerful way to generate a booster-wallop for their linear-induction-motors, but notes that they could leave the mass of their motors (the rails) on the surface. He mentions finding a full-scale drawing of a spacecraft, 180 feet long, with two 100-foot long "runners" for landing on steel rails, four lift engines, and an 80-foot nose for potential distance shielding. The article also references Maria Reiche's 1947 doctoral thesis, "Mystery in the Desert."

Nevada Petroglyph

Charlotte Miller contributes a photograph of a petroglyph found in the Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada. The drawing, located on a stone ridge twenty-five feet above the desert floor, features four concentric circles. Miller notes its similarity to a Santa Barbara, California cave painting featured in a previous issue of ANCIENT SKIES. Ms. Miller is identified as a cardio-biomedical instrumentation technologist.

Yugoslavia to Host Third World Conference

It is announced that the Third World Conference on Ancient Astronauts will be held at the Hotel Omorika in Crikvenica, Yugoslavia, in late May or early June of 1976. Scientists from Russia and other Eastern countries are expected to present papers, and the conference is being coordinated by Dr. Josip Kotnik. Six nations had offered to host the event.

Mid-Winter Meeting Scheduled for Toronto, Canada

The Ancient Astronaut Society will hold a meeting in Toronto, Canada, on February 14, 1976, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. The event will feature four speakers: Josef F. Blumrich (former NASA Space Engineer), Stuart W. Greenwood (doctoral candidate in aerospace propulsion), Dr. Luis E. Navia (Doctor of Philosophy), and Erich von Däniken. The film "In Search of Ancient Astronauts" will be shown, and a gala banquet is included. Mr. von Däniken will also present a new lecture and slide presentation on his current expedition. The cost is US $109.00 for single occupancy and US $158.00 for double occupancy, including hotel accommodation and all events. Tickets are available from the Society's Toronto office, with no refunds after January 15, 1976.

"Maya-Motor" Featured at Zurich Conference

Friedrich Egger presented his theory of the "Maya-Motor" at the Second World Conference on Ancient Astronauts in Zurich, Switzerland, on May 29-31, 1975. Egger, a doctoral candidate at Innsbruck University, along with Klaus Keplinger, developed the concept after reading Robert Charroux's book "Masters of the World." They interpreted a Mayan glyph of an X in a square as representing a mechanical motor. Egger designed an engine with a cylinder, shaft, and an oval section that creates expansions and contractions to produce thrust. He displayed a plastic working model of the "Maya-Motor."

Cave Drawings 12,500 Years Old Found in Argentina

This reprinted article from the PERUVIAN TIMES reports on cave drawings found in Los Toldos, Argentina, dated to 12,500 years ago. Professor Augusto Cardich of the University of La Plata discovered negative hand prints on the walls and roofs of cave No. 3. Carbon-14 dating of charcoal found under the cave floor indicated human presence as early as 12,600 years ago. Cardich states these are the oldest cave paintings known on the continent. He also notes that the cave dwellers were hunters and did not develop pottery. The article mentions a drought that forced abandonment of the caves for 1,490 years, followed by a period where stone weapons were used, and later abandonment due to volcanic eruptions. A subsequent group of cavemen arrived a thousand years later, perfected arrowheads, and ate a variety of animals, including ostriches. These cavemen are considered ancestors of the Tehuelche Indians.

Time Dilatation Discussed in Zurich

Dr. Kurt Mehlhose of Germany presented on the theoretical field of time dilatation at the Zurich Conference. He discussed how a flight at the speed of light could traverse an infinite distance by transforming coordinates to a finite value, suggesting that velocity could perform the same function on a practical level, making interstellar space flight a possibility.

Authors and Books

This section provides brief updates on the activities and publications of various authors associated with the ancient astronaut theory. Erich von Däniken is traveling in Bangladesh and India for a new book and has a new movie sequel to "Chariots of the Gods?" Josef F. Blumrich is completing a book on American Indians and extraterrestrials and planning an expedition to South America. Andrew Tomas is working on a new book in Paris. W. Raymond Drake has new books titled "Gods and Spacemen Throughout History" and "Gods and Spacemen in Greece and Rome." Richard E. Mooney is working on his third book, following "Gods of Air and Darkness." Peter Krassa's book "Als Die Gelben Götter Kamen" will be published in English as "When the Yellow Gods Came." Professor Hans Schindler-Bellamy, an expert on Tiahuanaco, is retired in Vienna and authored "The Book of Revelation is History." Dr. Luis E. Navia's book on the philosophical evaluation of the ancient astronaut theory has been accepted for publication in Germany. Frede Melhedegard published a pamphlet titled "The Power of the Past." Sibley S. Morrill has written "Ambrose Bierce, F.A. Mitchell-Hedges and The Crystal Skull." Jacques Bergier's books in French can be obtained from his publisher. Captain Bruce Cathie, an airline pilot, has published "Harmonic 695," a sequel to "Harmonic 33."

New paperbacks listed include "Mystery of Atlantis" by Charles Berlitz and "The Great Pyramid" by Tom Valentine.

A list of German/Deutscher authors and their books is also provided, along with a note that a list of paperback books in English is available upon request.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the concept of ancient astronauts and their advanced technology influencing early human civilizations. The magazine presents evidence from archaeology, ancient texts, and unexplained phenomena to support the theory that extraterrestrials visited Earth in the past. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of exploring and promoting the ancient astronaut hypothesis, providing a platform for researchers and authors who advocate for this perspective. The publication actively engages with its readership through conference announcements and book lists, fostering a community interested in these subjects.