Ancient Skies - Vol 06 No 2 - 1979-80

Magazine Overview

Title: ANCIENT SKIES
Issue: Volume 6, Number 2
Date: May-June, 1979
Publisher: ANCIENT ASTRONAUT SOCIETY
Country: USA
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of "Ancient Skies" presents findings from expeditions and research related to ancient technology and potential extraterrestrial influence on early civilizations. The publication aims to uncover evidence of advanced technological societies predating recorded history and visits from beings from outer space.

New Evidence of Ancient Technology

By Gene M. Phillips, Founder of the Society

The lead article by Gene M. Phillips, founder of the Ancient Astronaut Society, details recent discoveries in Central America. The primary focus is a stone stele found at El Baul, Guatemala, featuring a helmeted figure. This intricate carving, in deep relief, depicts two figures, one standing and one fallen, suggesting combat. Archaeologists initially suggested they were boxing or playing ball. However, the detailed depiction of the standing figure's headgear, connected to a tank on its back, with a profile visible through a "window" and a flame emanating from the mouth, leads to an interpretation by Erich von Daniken. Von Daniken suggests the carving represents an alien visitor, with the helmet and tank as life support, and the "flame" as foul breath, causing the fallen figure to collapse due to loss of its breathing filter.

Phillips notes that the figure is wearing an elaborate headgear connected to a small tank on its back. The "window" in the helmet reveals the profile of the wearer's forehead, nose, and eye. A flame appears to shoot from the opening at the mouth of the headpiece.

Phillips also recounts an expedition to Tikal, Guatemala, where, despite initial disappointment, a small, grey stone sculpture was discovered near the airstrip. This figure, about three feet high, is described as having a protuberance on its back with a star-shape and a ridge from head to hump. This piece is interpreted as possibly representing a spaceman with a backpack, breathing apparatus, and helmet. The figure's arms are positioned at the chest, similar to sculptures found in Tiahuanaco, Bolivia. Phillips emphasizes that this find is significant because it clearly represents evidence of ancient technology, yet it is left exposed to erosion, suggesting it is being overlooked.

At the Mayan ruins of Copan, Honduras, two stone objects were found that are described as "gear boxes." These are presented as conclusive evidence of pre-historic technology and the application of scientific knowledge and manufacturing methods.

Phillips concludes that the evidence for ancient technology is overwhelming, and the remaining question is whether the intelligence behind it originated from outer space. The society vows to continue its search for such evidence.

Report on Mayan Expedition: 1978-1979

By Gregory E. Phillips

Gregory E. Phillips, a senior at the University of Virginia, recounts a twenty-person expedition to Guatemala and Honduras from December 27, 1978, to January 4, 1979. The group visited Seibal, Yaxha, Tikal, Copan, and Quirigua in Guatemala, and then proceeded to Honduras.

At Seibal, they observed well-preserved stelae with flowing headgear and ear/nose fixtures, and a reconstructed temple. They also noted numerous hills that were likely unexcavated pyramids, being reclaimed by the jungle.

At Yaxha, they explored a central temple complex atop a 75-meter pyramid. The site was overgrown, with only scattered carvings, slabs, statues, altars, and stelae uncovered. The expedition noted that Yaxha is considered a low priority for funding, thus limiting its excavation.

In Tikal, the group visited the central plaza, which has been largely reconstructed. They climbed the imposing temples, noting the worn steps of Temple 1 and the less steep Temple 2. Each temple had square structures with rectangular chambers. A wooden lintel carved with hieroglyphics was observed in Temple 1. The plaza was framed by smaller pyramids, temples, and houses, with stelae and altar stones. The overall aspect of Tikal's central complex is compared to 11th-Century Norman constructions.

Three major unreconstructed pyramids were visited at Tikal, including Temple 4, the tallest at 68 meters. Phillips describes a striking carving on a circular stone slab near Temple 3, depicting two figures. One figure resembled typical Mayan representations, while the other wore a triangular hat and had features described as unmistakably Oriental, with the piece having an almost Japanese style. Mayan glyphs framed the work, and the stone seemed out of place.

Another significant find at Tikal was a statuette found alone between the museum and airstrip. This hunched figure had a star-shaped protuberance on its back and a ridge running from head to hump, interpreted by some as a spaceman with a backpack and helmet.

After celebrating New Year's Eve in Guatemala City, the group traveled to Antigua and then to Honduras, arriving in Copan. At the Copan ruins, they encountered a stacked heap of assorted worked and carved stones, awaiting reconstruction. Among these were stone heads with realistic representations of various facial types, many described as non-Mayan, suggesting intercultural connections between Mayan, Eurasian, and African peoples.

A particularly interesting piece at Copan was a figure resembling a humanoid torso and arms, with hands in an unnatural attitude and indications of a garment. The item on the chest is thought to be a technical apparatus, with the hands manipulating controls.

The group also visited the celebrated ball-court and the hieroglyphic stairway at Copan. The ball-court is described as a reconstructed masterpiece with stone rings and chambers. The hieroglyphic stairway was constructed of blocks carved with hieroglyphs, with five larger figures placed at intervals down the middle (one removed to Harvard's Peabody Museum). The pyramid itself was unreconstructed.

More striking carvings were found temporarily placed by a tree below a glyph. These ridged cylinders bore a "uncanny similitude to today's gears." Similar carvings were found in plaster in a tunnel beneath the hieroglyphic stairway.

The site of Copan was scattered with large, ornamented statues and stelae, many with complex headdresses and a "remarkably Oriental aspect." Stone blocks with glyphs and low, round objects resembling "hamburgers on a kaiser roll," as well as large turtles, were also observed.

On January 4th, the expedition visited Quirigua, Guatemala, described as a simpler and more elegant site than Tikal or Copan. The stelae were simpler and more streamlined, while other statuary featured "bulbuous monstrosities covered with glyphs and reliefs."

Returning to Guatemala City, the group then visited La Democracia, where they saw a large, rotund statue of a smiling "god" with an "almost African appearance." They also saw similar figures buried in sugar plantations.

The most important find of the trip, according to Phillips, was at El Baul, where a large stele was discovered under a thatched shelter. This stele depicted a life-size Egyptian-style figure with a round head, a circular depression, and various ridges. This was interpreted as a helmet connected to a backpack, with flames, water, words, or breath issuing from the mouth. Other pieces at El Baul included a shallow relief with an "almost Inca style" face and a bust of a grinning Caucasoid figure.

Phillips concludes by emphasizing the need for further study of Mayan works, the evidence of frequent representation of non-Mayan peoples and artistic styles, and the sites' emotional impact. He notes that many sites were largely unknown until the ancient astronaut theory gained currency.

Seventh World Conference

The Seventh World Conference of the Ancient Astronaut Society is scheduled to be held in Auckland, New Zealand, on July 10, 11, and 12, 1980. Group flights are being arranged from Los Angeles for members in the United States and Canada, and from Zurich, Switzerland, for members in Europe. Interested individuals are advised to contact the Society Headquarters or specific contact points in Switzerland.

Ancient Skies Publication Information

"Ancient Skies" is published bi-monthly by the Ancient Astronaut Society, located at 1921 St. Johns Ave., Highland Park, Illinois 60035 USA. The Ancient Astronaut Society, founded in 1973, is a tax-exempt, not-for-profit corporation organized for scientific, literary, and educational purposes.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the search for evidence of ancient technology, the possibility of extraterrestrial visitation to Earth in pre-historic times, and the interpretation of archaeological findings through the lens of the ancient astronaut theory. The editorial stance is one of active investigation and open-mindedness towards unconventional explanations for ancient artifacts and structures, particularly those found in Mayan and other Mesoamerican sites. The society actively promotes its research and encourages further study and discussion on these topics, as evidenced by the announcement of the World Conference.