Ancient Skies - Vol 04 No 1 - 1977

Magazine Overview

Title: ANCIENT SKIES
Issue: Volume 4, Number 1
Date: March-April, 1977
Publisher: Ancient Astronaut Society
Country: USA
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of Ancient Skies delves into the ongoing search for evidence of ancient advanced civilizations, focusing on the parallel quests of Colonel Percy H. Fawcett and author Erich von Daniken.

In Search of the Ultimate Proof

The lead article, "In Search of the Ultimate Proof" by Gene M. Phillips, highlights the enduring mystery of "lost cities" in the Amazon. It begins by referencing Erich von Daniken's upcoming expedition to Akahim, a fabled lost city in the Amazonian jungle, rumored to contain advanced technology, subterranean chambers, and unusual lights. The article then draws a parallel to Colonel Percy H. Fawcett, a retired British army officer who, fifty years prior, was also convinced of the existence of "lost cities" in the Amazon. Fawcett believed these ruins would prove an earlier, advanced civilization not previously known to us.

Fawcett's extensive travels in Brazil's Mato Grosso and Bolivia, beginning in 1906, led him to meticulously document his experiences. His journals, compiled by his son Brian, reveal his observations of indigenous peoples, such as the Maxubi Indians, who exhibited traits suggesting a fall from a higher state of development, including lighter skin, copper-colored hair with a red tint, and even blue eyes. Fawcett noted their gentle demeanor and impeccable morals, contrasting them with the notion of an evolutionary progression from savagery.

He also observed the Tapuya Indians, whose customs suggested either a degeneration from a superior civilization or the lingering effects of domination by a highly advanced power. Fawcett learned from various tribes about traditions of a once-great civilization, possibly originating from the East, and of a legendary Indian chief who spoke of a city with "houses with stars to light them, which never went out," suggesting a secret means of illumination unknown today.

Fawcett's search was driven by the conviction that the enigma of Ancient South America, and perhaps the prehistoric world, lay hidden within these lost cities. He famously stated, "That the cities exist, I know...." His last letter to his son Brian, dated May 29, 1925, was written en route to his lost city, after which he was never heard from again.

Fifty years later, Erich von Daniken is pursuing a similar goal. Undeterred by potential dangers, von Daniken shares Fawcett's compulsion to find lost cities and uncover their secrets. Von Daniken's unique perspective is his belief that these ancient civilizations were of extraterrestrial origin, a notion not apparent in Fawcett's writings. Von Daniken's interest was further fueled by Karl Brugger's account of the underground city of Akakor. He has reportedly made contact with Tatunca, the "Prince of Akakor" and Chief of the Mongulala tribe, who claims to be able to guide him to Akahim and reveal its secrets, including machines, an energy force field, and non-electrical illumination.

Von Daniken faces challenges similar to Fawcett's: convincing the scientific community of his theories and proving the reality of his findings. He is particularly sensitive to criticism following his book "The Gold of the Gods," which detailed artifacts found in an Ecuadorian cave. Von Daniken sought the participation of U.S. Astronaut Neil Armstrong, the first man on the Moon, in his endeavors, but Armstrong politely declined.

The article notes the remarkable parallels between Fawcett's descriptions of "lost cities" (engraved metal plates, mummies, lights that never went out) and Tatunca's accounts to von Daniken (machines, energy fields, the living dead, lights that never go out). It suggests Fawcett might have been searching for Akahim without knowing its precise location.

The article concludes with a hopeful note that the veil obscuring prehistoric secrets might soon be pierced, regardless of whether von Daniken returns with definitive proof.

References:
(1) Lost Trails, Lost Cities, Colonel Percy H. Fawcett.
(2) The Chronicle of Akakor, Karl Brugger.
(3) The Gold of the Gods, Erich von Daniken.

Mexico Trip Planned for Thanksgiving Week 1977

This section announces an eight-day, seven-night archaeological expedition to Mexico for Society members from November 20-27, 1977. The itinerary includes visits to Teotihuacan (Pyramid of the Sun, Moon, Temple of Quetzalcoatl), Tula (colossal Toltec stone giants), Tenayuca, Villahermosa (La Venta museum with Olmec heads, Maya Tabasco Museum), and Palenque (Temple of Inscriptions, Palenque Slab, palace complex). The trip also includes travel by hydrofoil across Lake Titicaca and a train ride to Cuzco, Peru, with visits to Tiahuanaco, Sacsayhuaman, Kenko, Pucara, and Tambomachay. The journey culminates with a visit to Machu Picchu, described as a "fairy-tale site" and the "Lost City of the Incas."

Book Review: The Twelfth Planet

This review discusses Zecharia Sitchin's book, "The Twelfth Planet." Sitchin, a biblical scholar and linguist, posits that ancient civilizations were aware of twelve celestial bodies in our solar system, including the Sun, Earth's moon, and ten planets. He believes a twelfth planet, "Marduk," with an unusual, elongated orbit of 3,600 years, is inhabited by a highly developed civilization. Sitchin suggests this civilization may have traveled to Earth on their planet, solving the problem of interstellar travel distance.

New Books

• Brief mentions of two new books:
• "First, Man. Then Adam!" by Dr. Irwin Ginsburgh, which proposes that Adam and Eve were from another planet whose spaceship, the "Garden of Eden," crash-landed on Earth.
• "The New Atlantis" by Colin Amery.

Speakers Selected for Rio Conference

A list of speakers for the Fourth World Conference of the Ancient Astronaut Society (June 23-25, 1977, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) is provided. Notable speakers include Erich von Daniken, Andrew Tomas, and Dr. Javier Cabrera.

On Time Dilation

This section explores the concept of "time dilation" through ancient texts. It recounts an episode from the Japanese Nihongi and Old Testament Apocrypha, and then details a story from the Vishnu Purana involving King Raibat and his daughter Rebati. In this tale, King Raibat visits Lord Brahma and, while listening to celestial music, thousands of years pass on Earth. This illustrates the Hindu conception of time, where one day and night of Brahma equals 8,640,000,000 earthly years, and Brahma's one second is equivalent to 100,000 earthly years. The section also notes a letter from Mrs. S.A. van Niekerk commenting on this concept.

Society's Fantastic Journey to Peru and Bolivia

This article details an upcoming archaeological expedition for Society members from June 26 to July 4, 1977, covering Peru and Bolivia. The journey begins in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, and includes visits to El Fuerte (a potential launching site for space vehicles), Tiahuanaco (described as the oldest ruins in the world), Lake Titicaca, Puno, Cuzco (the Inca capital), Sacsayhuaman, Kenko, Pucara, Tambomachay, Ollantaytambo, and Pisac. A significant highlight is the visit to Machu Picchu, the "Lost City of the Incas," where participants will spend the night. The expedition also includes a flight over the Plain of Nazca to view its mysterious markings, which NASA engineer Robert Earle suggested might be a "road-map" for extraterrestrial visitors.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the persistent search for evidence of ancient advanced civilizations, particularly "lost cities" in South America, and the exploration of extraterrestrial hypotheses. The magazine consistently champions the work of Erich von Daniken and draws parallels with historical explorers like Colonel Percy H. Fawcett, suggesting that conventional scientific understanding may be overlooking crucial historical truths. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into alternative explanations for ancient mysteries, encouraging members to participate in expeditions and explore these possibilities. The concept of time dilation, as interpreted through ancient texts, also features as a theme, highlighting the vastness of time and the potential for different perceptions of reality in ancient cosmologies.