ANCIENT SKIES

Magazine Overview

Title: ANCIENT SKIES
Issue: Volume 3, Number 1
Date: March-April, 1976
Publisher: ANCIENT ASTRONAUT SOCIETY
Tagline: "Come Search With Us!"

This issue of Ancient Skies, the official logbook of the Ancient Astronaut Society, delves into the persistent question of extraterrestrial intelligence (ETI) on our planet. It features a reprint from Moscow News with an interview with Dr. Vladimir Avinsky, a scientist specializing in geology and mineralogy, who discusses the evidence for ETI visits.

Extraterrestrial Intelligence on Our Planet?

The lead article, reprinted from Moscow News, features an interview with Dr. Vladimir Avinsky. He addresses the growing interest in ETI contact, moving beyond science fiction to serious scientific inquiry. Avinsky argues that ancient rock drawings, often dismissed as primitive art, may represent the "direct experience" of people rather than mere fancy. He points to the global similarity of these drawings and the potential for them to be explanations of prehistoric encounters. He counters the idea of a lost proto-civilization by noting the lack of industrial remnants and the planet's intact resources. Regarding Atlantis, he suggests it lacked the resources for an industrial society and would have needed external support, for which no evidence exists. Avinsky also addresses the interpretation of Saharan rock paintings, suggesting their ritualistic origin is only valid for the period after religious rites emerged, and that their true prototypes remain unclear.

Dr. Avinsky proposes two yardsticks for identifying ETI phenomena: technological incongruity (ancient relics with technology incompatible with their era) and geographical coincidence (identical facts found across different times and cultures). He cites examples like "winged objects" and walrus tusk articles, which, upon aerodynamic analysis, resemble flying craft. He also mentions ancient pictures resembling space suits, found in various cultures, with elements identified as life-sustaining systems and navigational gear.

Avinsky acknowledges that some might view this ancient technology as primitive, but argues that ETI capable of interstellar travel would likely possess far more advanced technology. He suggests that the ETI encountered might have had limited power resources or a habitat confined to the solar system. He posits that paleocontact was a real phenomenon recurring over 20,000 to 30,000 years. He discusses the current "no-contact" situation, referencing Aime Michel's theory that ETI might avoid direct contact, possibly due to a higher state of psycho-evolution or the use of bio-robots.

Avinsky concludes that the discovery of ETI traces will enhance our understanding of the past and future, stimulating progress rather than undermining civilization.

NASA Engineer Josef F. Blumrich: A Believer

This section features an article by Bob Freund, detailing the transformation of Josef F. Blumrich, a NASA Space Engineer, from a skeptic to a believer in ancient astronaut theories. Blumrich was initially tasked with refuting Erich von Daniken's ideas but found himself convinced by the evidence. He focuses on the prophet Ezekiel's biblical account, interpreting it as a description of a spaceship. Blumrich identifies elements like "rotors on the legs" and "round feet" as landing gear, and the craft as a concave-surfaced vehicle designed for atmospheric entry. He refers to his research as an "engineering Bible commentary," applying engineering principles to reconstruct the described technology, including a command module, nuclear power plant, and landing struts.

Blumrich notes that Ezekiel encountered these "spacemen" at least three times over approximately 20 years. He recounts an incident where a subordinate extracted a piece of matter from the ship, suggesting it might have been radioactive nuclear fuel. He has also reconstructed Ezekiel's "wheel within a wheel" concept, obtaining a U.S. patent for a device that moves at right angles. Blumrich emphasizes the absence of violence in Ezekiel's account and concludes that the prophet's tale, when analyzed through modern engineering, provides a picture of events from nearly 2,500 years ago.

Our Gods Were Physical Beings

Dr. Pasqual S. Schievella, Professor of Philosophy at Jersey City State College, presents an abstract of his paper delivered at the Third International Congress of the Ancient Astronaut Society. He argues that evidence for gods being astronauts is similar to evidence for them being physical beings. He contends that gods are depicted empirically with physical power and attributes, and that concepts of perfection, power, and behavior were likely amplified from the experiences of ancient astronauts. Schievella suggests that man's need to idealize and seek perfection led to the creation of gods, whose origins are rooted in physical beings. He proposes two rational explanations for the belief in gods: irrational instincts (fear, protection, security) or the ancient astronaut thesis. He dismisses faith as a pathway to truth, stating that it is a physiological syndrome rather than a form of reason.

Mayan Adventure Planned for Society Members

This section announces an upcoming ten-day tour to the Yucatan Peninsula and southern Mexico, organized by Charter Member Enrique Burmeister of ABC Travel Service. The tour, departing November 19, 1976, will visit significant Mayan sites like Chichen Itza, Uxmal, Labna, and Dzibalchen. It also includes a visit to the open-air museum of La Venta to see Olmec stone heads, and stays at Palenque, known for the Temple of Inscriptions and Pacal's tomb. The itinerary also includes visits to Bonampak, Yaxchilan, and Piedras Negras, with a return to Chicago on November 28, 1976. Members interested in reservations or a detailed itinerary are directed to contact ABC Travel Service or Fran Piva.

Researcher Interviews Prof. Dr. Hermann Oberth

This article features an interview with Professor Dr. Hermann Oberth, considered the father of modern rocketry. Oberth, who predicted space flight when it was deemed impossible, expresses his conviction that numerous other intelligences exist in the universe and likely visited Earth in ancient times. He supports Erich von Daniken's theories, finding many of them convincing. Oberth mentions an artifact in the Germanischen Museum in Nuremberg, the "Goldhut of Etezlsdorf," a 3,000-year-old gold object resembling a rocket, which he believes might be evidence of ancient astronauts. He also speculates about the possibility of achieving speeds beyond light and the development of new propulsion methods.

Welcome to Crikvenica, Yugoslavia

This brief welcome message from Mayor Lovro Manestar expresses pride in Crikvenica hosting the Third International Congress of the Ancient Astronaut Society. He highlights the congress's focus on astro-archeological, anthropological, and astro-geological findings, emphasizing their role in uniting people globally to understand ancient cultures and civilizations.

Soviet Cosmonaut is Guest of Honor

A short note announces that Cosmonaut G.M. Grecko, who flew in the space station "Soljut-4" and spacecraft "Sojuz-17," was a guest of honor at the Third International Conference of the Ancient Astronaut Society.

Ancient Astronaut Theme Adorns Mail to Society

This section highlights Henry Pietrusiak from Katowice, Poland, who has sent letters to the Society adorned with drawings of the Gate of the Sun from Tiahuanaco, Bolivia, rendered in full color on the envelopes.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the evidence and implications of extraterrestrial intelligence (ETI) visiting Earth in ancient times. The magazine strongly advocates for the ancient astronaut hypothesis, presenting scientific and historical arguments to support it. The editorial stance is one of promoting rigorous scientific inquiry and international cooperation to explore these possibilities, challenging conventional scientific paradigms and encouraging open-mindedness towards unconventional theories. The publication aims to provide a platform for researchers and enthusiasts to discuss and debate these complex topics, fostering a deeper understanding of humanity's past and its potential cosmic connections.