Ancient Skies - Vol 03 No 5 - 1976-77

Magazine Overview

Title: ANCIENT SKIES
Issue: Volume 3, Number 5
Date: November-December, 1976
Publisher: Ancient Astronaut Society
Country: USA

This issue of "Ancient Skies" delves into ancient mysteries and potential extraterrestrial influences on human history. It features articles exploring the "Dorje," a Tibetan artifact, and the controversial theory of ancient galvanic batteries, alongside an analysis of Erich von Däniken's work.

The Dorje: The Heavenly Rod

By Andrew Tomas, this article introduces the "Dorje," a small rod with two bulbous ends commonly found in Tibetan Buddhist curio shops and temples. Unlike Western scepters, the Dorje is small and its bulbs represent lotus buds, symbolizing spiritual purity. Made from various metals, including alloys of five, some Dorjes are thought to be electrical gadgets due to the presence of copper and tin. Tibetan Buddhists believe the Dorje symbolizes the dominion of mind over matter. Only highly initiated lamas, like those in the Kargyut-pa sect, possess its full secret. Tomas recounts hearing younger lamas speak of "re-charging the Dorje," a practice met with secrecy. He suggests the Dorje might be an aid in manipulating energy, possibly bio-energy or plasma. Ancient scriptures mention the Dorje shedding radiance after being washed and lamaist initiation rites where monks' robes were illuminated by a glowing Dorje. These phenomena suggest manifestations on frequencies beyond light. The article notes that some Dorjes are believed to have come from the sky, with one falling in Darjeeling, hence its Tibetan name. The most famous celestial Dorje was at the Sera Lamasery before moving to Gadden Monastery. The Dalai Lama is also known as the Holder of the Dorje. The folklore of Tibet mentions "Lung-ta," a winged horse messenger of the gods, possibly an allegory for a spaceship that brought objects like the Dorje to Earth.

The article further details an experience shared by Peter Kolosimo, involving two Soviet scientists in Tibet in 1959 who studied Tibetan lore at the Gadden Monastery. They were shown an "instrument" that produced a humming sound and a luminous mist, forming a human-like figure and a three-dimensional solar system model with ten planets and an unidentified orbiting planet. This tale, reminiscent of Star-Trek, is included because Tomas himself had a similar experience in the Himalayas, detailed in his book "Shambhala."

Tomas's background is provided: born in Russia of Polish parents, he is an Australian citizen living in Germany, a world traveler, and author of books on ancient astronauts. His recent audience with the Dalai Lama was the basis for his book "Shambhala, Oasis of Light."

Galvanic Batteries - 2000 Years Ago?

By K. K. Doberer, this article addresses claims made by Erich von Däniken regarding electrical dry cells found in the Bagdad Museum. Däniken's assertion is challenged by archaeologist Dr. Kroll, who contacted the museum and was told no such items were known. However, Doberer's investigation traces the origin of Däniken's information to the science-fiction magazine "Astounding" (now "Analog"), which published a report by Willy Ley about a galvanic cell unearthed near Khujut Rabua, southeast of Bagdad, dating from the Parthian era (around 2000 years ago).

The excavation was performed by Dr. Wilhelm König, then employed by the Iraqi Museum in Bagdad. König, an Austrian who worked for the museum for nine years, supervised digs. In 1936, an expedition to the Rabua mound uncovered a vase-like container of yellow clay holding a copper cylinder fixed with pitch. The cylinder, about an inch in diameter and 3 1/2 inches high, contained an oxidized iron rod secured by an asphalt plug. The rod protruded slightly and was covered in a yellow-gray layer, possibly lead oxide. The rod did not reach the bottom, which had a 3mm layer of pitch.

In his 1940 excavation report, Dr. König mentioned meeting Professor K. of the Berlin Museum, who confirmed finding similar pitch-filled containers with copper cylinders and asphalt-secured iron rods. Professor K. sent König three photographs of these finds: a large ceramic container with ten iron rods, another with ten copper cylinders, and one with ten asphalt plugs. König emphasized that these were "ten electrical cells" in a dismantled condition.

Doberer concludes that Dr. Kroll's radio broadcast information was worthless and that Pieter Coll, in his book "Geschäfte mit der Phantasie," was misled. He advises against relying on radio assertions as scientific proof when refuting theories like von Däniken's.

Analysis of Life

By Stephen Woolley, this article analyzes the impact and theories of Erich von Däniken. The Ancient Astronaut Society, founded in 1973, has about 1,000 members, including academics like Dr. Luis Navia and Josef Blumrich. While some academics are impressed by von Däniken's sincerity and research, many are put off by the style of his books. The academic community may eventually accept some indications of extraterrestrial visits but are hesitant to accept his claim that these visits resulted in the production of Homo Sapiens or that our solar system's duty is to pass on intelligent life.

Von Däniken's theory relies on the inaccuracy of current archaeological dating methods, a claim Woolley finds difficult to support given the variety of dating techniques available. However, von Däniken's efforts have encouraged expeditions to research phenomena he employs. His theories add excitement to ideas about the universe and the meaning of life, but Woolley stresses the need for systematic research.

Von Däniken is described as an "international phenomenon" with a refreshing lack of conceit. His work has aroused significant public interest, leading to "Danikenitis" in the Australian Press and full lecture tours. His ideas challenge "Establishment" views of human development and could prompt astronomers to search for extraterrestrial life.

The analysis is based on fragments of evidence from legends, mythologies, carvings, and objects that do not fit normal interpretations of the past. Examples include cut crystal lenses from the Middle East requiring electro-chemical processes to produce, platinum ornaments from Peru that can only be melted at 1,800°C, and ancient maps accurately showing Antarctica's coastline beneath the ice, data only discovered in the 1950s with advanced equipment. These maps, showing distortions as seen from 200 miles up, imply a spacecraft origin. Von Däniken argues that this points to visits from space rather than a highly technological Earth civilization.

Basing his arguments on texts like the Mahabharata and the Bible, von Däniken suggests the world was a biological laboratory where "sons of Gods" and "daughters of men" interbred, leading to human evolution being a result of deliberate interference and genetic engineering by advanced extraterrestrial races.

Von Däniken admits grappling with the question of where the definitive proof lies. He suggests that a mathematical or mathematically placed proof might exist, or perhaps an artificial satellite left in the solar system. He plans an expedition to northern Brazil in 1978 to explore tunnel systems possibly linked to those in Ecuador, which are said to contain ancient flying machines. He believes humanity is on the verge of a major breakthrough.

Von Däniken developed his theory while translating Biblical texts, noting that Moses uses the plural "Elothim" for God, which teachers could not satisfactorily explain. The Apocryphal books, like the Book of Enoch, which speak of "Guardians of the Sky" and "glittering vehicles," provided the basic idea. He interprets ancient documents like Ezekiel's fiery chariot as a space vehicle. He also discusses Einstein's theory of relativity and its implications for time dilation during space travel, suggesting a person could travel at near light speed and age only a few years while centuries pass on Earth.

New Books in German

This section lists several books available in German, including titles related to the Bermuda Triangle, Atlantis, and unknown flying objects.

Ancient Astronaut Society Information

This section provides contact information for the Ancient Astronaut Society, its publication "Ancient Skies," and its founding in 1973 as a tax-exempt, not-for-profit corporation for scientific, literary, and educational purposes.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the exploration of ancient mysteries, the possibility of extraterrestrial influence on human history, and the challenging of conventional scientific and historical narratives. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these controversial topics, presenting evidence and theories that push the boundaries of accepted knowledge, particularly through the lens of ancient astronaut theories.