ANCIENT SKIES

Magazine Overview

Title: ANCIENT SKIES
Issue: Volume 6, Number 6
Date: January-February, 1980
Publisher: Ancient Astronaut Society
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of Ancient Skies delves into intriguing discoveries and historical perspectives related to ancient technology and unexplained phenomena.

New Discoveries Inside the Great Pyramid

Susan Jean McCrone reports on a recent Ancient Astronaut Society expedition to Egypt in June 1979, which uncovered unexpected secrets within the Great Pyramid of Cheops. Initially thwarted by crowds and rushed tours, the team, including Christine Heuser-Nystrom, Britta Morner, and Thomas M. Barrett, managed to explore a newly revealed passageway. This dark, approximately 3-foot-high passage was found after some boards propping a wall near the King's Chamber were moved. The opening extends about 14 feet along the north wall, is 3 feet wide, and 4 feet deep, starting 5 feet from the west wall. An additional cut into the north wall measures about 4 feet by 3 1/2 feet.

Tom Barrett entered the opening and discovered that the interior quickly changed from smooth granite to rubble, likely limestone. Assured that this initial section led nowhere, McCrone and Barrett returned to the newly found passageway. They discovered it joined the air duct from the King's Chamber at the ceiling and then ascended at an approximate 60° angle. This contradicts existing accounts that depict air ducts as straight lines to the exterior. The passageway continued to curve, first at a 45° angle north, then west, and towards the apex, suggesting a complex internal structure.

McCrone notes that the interior of the Pyramid is not the perfect engineering often assumed; the granite blocks of the air ducts are irregularly lined up, and the fill material consists of rough, randomly placed rubble stones. Tom Barrett suggests that the Pyramid was built from the inside out, with interior elements laid first, followed by rubble support, and finally the exterior casing stones. He believes there are undiscovered rooms and that following the air shafts might lead to them.

McCrone observed graffiti from 1978 in the passageway, indicating it had been there at least since then. She suspects the new diggings are not conducted with the knowledge of the Egyptian government, citing the use of unsophisticated equipment. She speculates that the guides might be involved, possibly to prevent tourists from noticing these activities.

Evidence of settling, such as cracks in blocks and a depressed section in the King's Chamber floor, is also noted. Tom Barrett suggests a method of drilling small holes to detect new air spaces or denser objects, akin to a game of Battleship, to find potential hidden rooms.

The Vedic Ion Engine

Bhalchandra Patwardhan discusses the development of Ion Engines, noting NASA's plans for a Halley's Comet probe. He challenges the conventional history, crediting Robert Goddard with the theory of an Ion rocket in 1906. However, Patwardhan presents evidence that in 1895, Shivkar Bapuji Talpade, a Sanskrit scholar in Bombay, India, demonstrated a heavier-than-air flying machine powered by an Ion Engine. This demonstration reportedly occurred eight years before the Wright brothers' first flight.

Talpade's craft, named "Marutsakha" (Friend of the Wind), was reportedly built based on descriptions in the Rigveda, specifically Rishi Bharadwaja's commentary on the Art of Flight. The engine utilized a combination of eight sub-assemblies and the interaction of solar energy and Mercury. Patwardhan highlights that NASA's current Ion Engine development also uses Mercury bombardment units powered by solar cells, drawing a striking parallel.

While the NASA-developed Ion Engine produces minimal thrust, Talpade's engine was capable of lifting his aircraft 1,500 feet. Patwardhan argues that this historical context necessitates a re-evaluation of the history of science, recognizing the achievements of previous civilizations like the Vedic one.

Book Review: Ether Technology

Rob Wold reviews "Ether Technology: A Rational Approach to Gravity Control" by Rho Sigma, with a foreword by Edgar Mitchell. The book explores breakthroughs in gravity control from the 1920s, focusing on the concept of 'ether' as a fundamental energy source. It discusses T. Townsend Brown's experiments in the 1920s with electric condensors, which exhibited a forward thrust when charged, leading to the field of 'electro-gravitics.'

The review also covers John Searl's 1949 experiments in England, where he built a 'segmented rotor disc' that levitated and flew, producing a pink halo and static electricity. Sigma's work suggests that ether technology might offer an alternative energy source, echoing R. Buckminster Fuller's statement, "There isn't any energy crisis. It's simply a crisis of ignorance."

Other Society News and Events

This issue also announces upcoming Ancient Astronaut Society meetings:

• Fulda, Germany: A one-day meeting on Saturday, October 25, 1980, featuring lectures, films, and discussions, with Erich von Daniken as a principal speaker.
• Auckland, New Zealand: The Seventh World Conference from July 10-12, 1980, with speakers including Erich von Daniken, Robin Collyns, Rex Gilroy, and Dr. Philip A. Ianna. Rex Gilroy will present on Australian pyramids and human footprints, while Dr. Ianna will discuss extrasolar planets.
• Member Expedition: An expedition to New Zealand, Australia, and South Pacific Islands is planned to coincide with the Auckland conference, departing July 4, 1980.
• Rosemont, Illinois: A meeting on Saturday, March 15, 1980, at the Sheraton O'Hare Hotel, featuring speakers Susan Jean McCrone (Great Pyramid experiences), Vaughn M. Greene (Astronauts of Ancient Japan), and Gerardo Levet (stone giants of Tula, Mexico).

Additionally, the issue includes a letter to the editor from Dr. Vladimir V. Rubtsov, recommending a 'Lexikon der Prä-Astronautik' and listing numerous Soviet Union articles on paleocontact research. Dr. Richard P. Germann's lecture, "Science's Ultimate Challenge: The Re-evaluation of Ancient Occult Knowledge," is also available as a pamphlet.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the intersection of ancient civilizations and advanced technology, challenging conventional historical and scientific narratives. There is a strong emphasis on re-evaluating history to acknowledge the contributions of ancient cultures, particularly the Vedic civilization. The editorial stance supports the investigation of unexplained phenomena, ancient mysteries, and alternative scientific theories, encouraging members to engage in research and exploration. The society positions itself as a platform for disseminating information on these topics and organizing related events and expeditions.