ANCIENT SKIES

Magazine Overview

Title: ANCIENT SKIES
Issue: VOLUME 4, NUMBER 5
Date: NOVEMBER-DECEMBER, 1977
Publisher: ANCIENT ASTRONAUT SOCIETY
Country: USA

This issue of ANCIENT SKIES, the Official Logbook of the Ancient Astronaut Society, focuses on ancient mysteries and potential extraterrestrial influences on early human history. It features articles on the Dogon people of Mali, the Easter Island statue controversy, and the linguistic theories surrounding Proto-Celtic.

The Rockets of the Dogons

By Professor Hans Schindler Bellamy, this article explores the fascinating material collected by French anthropologists Germaine Dieterlen and Marcel Griaule among the Dogon people of Mali. The Dogons possess ancient traditions, including drawings in the sand and carvings on ceremonial objects, that describe "houses with storeys" in which superior beings, referred to as "amphibians," arrived on Earth. Bellamy interprets these descriptions and drawings, which depict circular patterns with emanating lines and ground traces, as evidence of "rockets" or "spaceships" and their landing blasts. These "amphibious creatures" are believed to have come from "a planet of the Sirius system." The article highlights the Dogons' knowledge of celestial bodies, including a "heavy" companion to Sirius moving in a fifty-year orbit and Jupiter's four satellites and Saturn's rings, which Bellamy argues could not have been known without external, advanced knowledge. He stresses the urgency of further scientific investigation into these traditions before they are lost due to political changes in the region.

The Easter Island Controversy

Authored by Walter Joerg Langbein, this piece addresses the ongoing debate surrounding Erich von Daniken's theories about the giant stone statues on Easter Island. Langbein notes that while many scientists dispute Daniken's claims, they have failed to offer a unified alternative explanation. He contrasts the views of William Ziehr, who suggests the statues were not miraculous due to a lack of wood, with Thor Heyerdahl's assertion that abundant forests were necessary for their transport. Langbein also points out discrepancies in reported statue dimensions and weights. He emphasizes the need for critical scientists to conduct firsthand investigations before dismissing Daniken's theories and cites Fritz Felbermayer's report on the maximum height of the statues.

Book Reviews

America, B.C. by Dr. Barry Fell
Reviewed by O. L. Hope, this book presents Dr. Fell's findings on ancient inscriptions and alphabets found in the Eastern United States that he claims are identical to ancient Egyptian, Celtic, Iberian-Punic, Libyan, and Basque languages. Fell, a qualified scholar with a Ph.D. from the University of Edinburgh and a Professor of Biology at Harvard, initially studied biology but became interested in Celtic languages and megalithic monuments. His research in New Guinea uncovered drawings of astronomical and navigational equipment. The review highlights Fell's decipherment of inscriptions at Mystery Hill, New Hampshire, suggesting a thriving trade between America and Mediterranean peoples around 1000 B.C., and the existence of a form of ancient Egyptian writing in America predating its known appearance in Europe.

God's Weapon by David Medina
Reviewed by Rodney Dale, this book is a survey of the description and history of the Ark of the Covenant from the Old Testament. Part One details the instructions for constructing the Tabernacle and the Ark, with diagrams, while Part Two recounts the Ark's checkered history and its eventual disappearance. Medina raises questions about the possible purposes of the described objects, focusing on factual accounts rather than the physics behind phenomena like electricity or magnetism. The reviewer notes that the book is a useful compilation for those seeking evidence of technology in ancient texts.

The Day the Gods Died by Walter Ernsting
Reviewed by Gregory E. Phillips, this novel is described as a fictionalized account of the search for Earth's past, inspired by the author's experiences and his friendship with Erich von Daniken. Ernsting uses a novel format to present theories about humanity's cosmic prehistory. The review explains that Ernsting, who also writes under the pseudonym Clark Darlton, uses telepathic communication as a device to show the certainty of shared ideas. The novel recounts Ernsting's meeting with von Daniken and their comparison of theories. The reviewer praises the book as a valuable contribution to the Ancient Astronaut Hypothesis, serving to accustom the public to new ideas and presenting the theory coherently. It is also lauded as an exciting and well-written science fiction novel.

When Man Spoke Proto-Celtic

By Dr. Hans-Rudolf Hitz, this article proposes the existence of a very ancient language, termed "Proto-Celtic," which Dr. Hitz believes was spoken by the builders of megalithic monuments. He bases this theory on finding similar place-names (appellatives) in megalithic sites across Europe, such as Lichsen, Leimen, and Sinzen. Hitz argues that Proto-Celtic roots can be found in extant Celtic idioms and that these names predate the Celtic people. He suggests that terms for "stone," "sun," "star," and "moon" existed in Proto-Celtic, providing translations for various megalithic place-names. Furthermore, Hitz posits that the "sign" or "fire" elements (SIN/ZIN and TE/TENE) are found globally, including in biblical names like Sinai and volcano names worldwide. He proposes that Proto-Celtic may have functioned as a syllabic code language, offering translations for volcanic names and even some Native American deity and tribal names, such as Viracocha and Inca, suggesting a widespread ancient linguistic system.

Other Mentions

The issue also includes a note about a Paraguayan stamp commemorating space travel, featuring a quote from Professor Hermann Oberth expressing his belief in extraterrestrial visits and interpreting the Palenque Slab as an astronaut. Additionally, it mentions Robert Charroux's latest book, "Archives des Autres Mondes," and Erich von Daniken's book "Beweise" being a bestseller in Germany.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of ANCIENT SKIES are the exploration of ancient mysteries, the potential for extraterrestrial influence on past civilizations, and the reinterpretation of historical and linguistic evidence through the lens of the ancient astronaut theory. The editorial stance, as reflected in the articles and reviews, is one of open inquiry into these unconventional ideas, encouraging further research and challenging mainstream scientific interpretations. The magazine actively promotes the work of authors like Erich von Daniken and Walter Ernsting, positioning itself as a platform for disseminating theories that challenge conventional historical narratives.