Ancient Skies - Vol 04 No 3 - 1977

Magazine Overview

Title: ANCIENT SKIES
Issue: Volume 4, Number 3
Date: July-August, 1977
Publisher: ANCIENT ASTRONAUT SOCIETY
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of Ancient Skies, the official logbook of the Ancient Astronaut Society, delves into various topics related to ancient mysteries, extraterrestrial theories, and historical interpretations.

Letter from Erich von Däniken

Erich von Däniken writes to Gene M. Phillips, founder of the Ancient Astronaut Society, detailing his recent experiences in Brazil. After waiting in Manaus for Tatunca Nara, prince of Akakor, who was to guide an expedition to Akahim, Däniken's plans were delayed. He recounts a dangerous seaplane trip to visit a partially civilized Indian tribe and a subsequent meeting with Tatunca Nara in Rio.

Tatunca Nara reported that he had been to Akahim and, after a period of jungle wandering, was attacked by Indians who took him to his brother-in-law, the chief of Akahim. There, he met a very old man referred to as "The Eminence," who possesses advanced technical equipment and communicates with the gods. "The Eminence" engaged Tatunca Nara in a lengthy discussion, gathering information about Däniken and his work. Tatunca Nara was instructed to return to civilization and convey a message to Däniken: he has 130 days to visit "The Eminence" at his location, traveling only by conventional means (river and jungle).

"The Eminence" intends this as a cross-examination of Däniken, viewing him as a representative of civilization. If Däniken's answers are unsatisfactory, civilization has failed. "The Eminence" explicitly stated he does not wish to see the "common people" and accepts only Däniken as a discussion partner.

Däniken admits disappointment that Tatunca Nara did not bring any physical evidence. The following morning, Tatunca Nara claimed to have communicated telepathically with priests and was given permission to return to Akahim to collect a piece of evidence for Däniken. Däniken is awaiting Tatunca Nara's return within two months, prepared to undertake the difficult journey if the evidence is provided.

Society Announcements and Activities

The Society announces a growing membership in 40 countries and 47 US states, urging members to recruit in unrepresented states. Reservations are open for a November 1977 expedition to Mexico, including sites like Teotihuacan, Tula, Villahermosa, and Palenque. The Fifth World Conference of the Ancient Astronaut Society is scheduled for June 8-10, 1978, in Chicago, featuring over 20 speakers.

Noteworthy mentions include W. Raymond Drake's new book, "Messengers from the Stars," and his upcoming address in London. Stuart W. Greenwood has earned a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering from the University of Maryland. Mario B. Bosnyak has launched a German-language magazine in their field called "Specula."

"Ancient Skies" is published bi-monthly by the Ancient Astronaut Society, with contact information provided. The Society, founded in 1973, is a tax-exempt, not-for-profit corporation for scientific, literary, and educational purposes.

Text of the Cuenca Prayer

This section discusses a gold stele from the Cuenca Museum in Ecuador, featuring a prayer identified as Brahmi script, similar to inscriptions from India's Emperor Asoka (3rd Century B.C.). The prayer, in 13 metrical feet, is translated and analyzed for its linguistic and metrical characteristics. The language is described as archaic Sanskrit, with affinities to the Avesta. The metre is identified as Vedric metre, specifically Pratistha, suggesting an early stage of development. The text mentions "Sudasa," a figure from the Rgveda, and the monosyllable "Om."

The article poses the question of how and when this prayer reached Ecuador, noting the lack of historical records for contact with ancient America despite evidence of trade with Egypt, Babylon, and the Roman Empire. The Rgveda's date is placed around 2500 B.C., and the metre's obsolescence by the Third-Fourth Centuries B.C. suggests an even earlier origin for the stele, possibly the Seventh to Eighth Centuries B.C., or even earlier based on content analysis.

Legends from Polynesia, Micronesia, and Melanesia regarding Earth's evolution are compared to Indian myths. Anthropological research suggests similarities between Easter Island inhabitants and the Mundas of Central India. The authors conclude that South-East Asia likely had connections with Old America, and Dr. Erich von Däniken's discoveries are seen as pivotal in reconstructing world and human civilization history.

Aerospace Engineer's View of Egyptian Drawing

Stuart W. Greenwood, an aerospace engineer, analyzes a drawing (Figure 77 from Zecharia Sitchin's "The Twelfth Planet") depicting what appears to be an Egyptian tomb wall decoration (SAE40). He interprets the drawing as potentially representing a ducted rocket system. Greenwood identifies airfoil cross-sections surrounding a rocket shaft underground, similar to aircraft wings, suitable for developing thrust in a ramjet. He suggests hydrocarbon fuels could be burned in the duct, producing a yellowish flame, possibly explaining the tiger skin symbolism.

He interprets the figures inside the shaft as inspecting inner motor walls subjected to high temperatures, with curving tubes as inspection lamps and circular panels as propellant pumps. The rockethead aboveground is compared to a Gemini space capsule, with windows and a charred surface. The spike on the rockethead is noted as a drag-reducing feature tested by NACA in the 1950s, possibly retractable.

Greenwood discusses the ducted rocket concept, noting that at Mach 3, the shock wave from the rockethead would interact with the duct lip, allowing efficient operation with hydrocarbon fuel. He acknowledges potential objections regarding motor shape and chamber size but finds the drawing technically exciting within the ancient astronaut hypothesis.

Manna Machine Nuclear Powered?

George T. Sassoon, an English linguist and electronics engineer, presented a theory at the Society's Fourth World Conference in Rio de Janeiro suggesting that the Biblical "manna" was produced by a nuclear-powered machine built by extraterrestrials. This theory is based on a study of the ancient text, the Zohar. Sassoon proposes that the machine still exists and is dangerously radioactive, potentially detectable through rock. He advocates for an expedition to search for this hidden machine.

An earlier article on this subject, "Deus Est Machina?" co-authored by Sassoon and biologist Rodney Dale, was published in "New Scientist" and reprinted in "Ancient Skies." Their research has led to a full-length book, "The Lord of the Manna," to be published in 1978. They argue against the common assumptions that manna fell from the sky or was a honey-like substance, suggesting it was manufactured from a plant similar to chlorella, a microscopic algae.

Sassoon was intrigued to learn that a food product made from chlorella is currently marketed in Japan.

Peru-Bolivia Journey Utterly Fantastic!

The Society's expedition to Peru and Bolivia in June and July 1977, involving 31 members, is described as "utterly fantastic." The group had the opportunity to meet Maria Reiche at Nazca, who spoke about her 40 years of studying the ground markings in the region. A slide film report and a detailed written report of the trip will be made available to members.

Genetic Engineering in Ancient India?

Bhalchandra Patwardhan writes about the ancient Sanskrit poem, the Mahabharata, suggesting it contains evidence of advanced genetic knowledge. He translates two incidents:

1. The Birth of 100 Sons: The seer Vaishampayana explains how Queen Gandhari, unable to carry her husband Dhritarashtra's seed to term after two years, underwent an abortion. Vyasa, on hearing this, reassured her and examined the embryo, which appeared as a shapeless mass. Vyasa then divided this embryo into 100 smaller ones using cold water and placed them in separate vessels for development, resulting in 100 sons.
2. The Birth of Dronacharya: The seer Vaishampayana describes how Maharishi Bharadwaj experienced an involuntary ejaculation due to the beauty of the Apsara Ghritachi. He collected the sperm in a "dron" (a cup made from leaves) and preserved it, leading to the birth of a child, whom he named Dronacharya.

Patwardhan emphasizes that these narratives suggest development partly or entirely outside the natural womb, implying knowledge of genetics and successful synthesis of chromosomes. He questions whether these accounts are mere poetic imagination or if ancient scriptures deserve a more serious technological examination.

The Lost Cities

Roy Upendranath discusses ancient Indian astronomical literature, referencing the "Surya-Siddhant," which mentions four lost cities on the equator: Lanke, Yamakoti, Romak, and Siddhafuri. These cities were once part of India's national time system, with their local times adopted as standard.

• Lanka (750° East) was associated with demons and was located about 900 miles from the Indian mainland, according to the Ramayan. Its loss in the Indian Ocean may have led survivors to occupy an island named Lanka. This suggests the Indian subcontinent may have once extended to the equator.
• Yamakati (165° East) was in the country of Bhadraswa and is now lost in the Pacific Ocean. Easter Island is suggested as a remnant of this lost civilization.
• Romak was in Africa (Kentunal) and extended to 15° West, now lost in the Atlantic Ocean.
• Siddhafuri (105° West) was in Kuruvarsha, a country around the equator, and is also lost in the Pacific Ocean.

Upendranath believes these geographical data refer to a period of at least 12,000 years ago, although the "Surya-Siddhanta" text itself may not be older than the fourth century A.D.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the ancient astronaut hypothesis, the possibility of advanced ancient technologies and knowledge (genetics, rocketry), and the interpretation of ancient texts and artifacts as evidence of extraterrestrial influence. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these subjects, encouraging members to explore and research these mysteries, and promoting the Society's activities and conferences as platforms for discussion and dissemination of information.