Ancient Skies - Vol 07 No 5 - 1980-81

Magazine Overview

Title: ANCIENT SKIES
Issue: Volume 7, Number 5
Date: November-December, 1980
Publisher: Official Logbook of the Ancient Astronaut Society
Country: USA

This issue of Ancient Skies explores various enigmatic artifacts, ancient sites, and folklore, all viewed through the lens of ancient astronaut theory. The magazine features articles on the Phaistos Disc, the petroglyphs of Toro Muerto, and interpretations of folklore from Russia and Africa.

The Phaistos Disc

BY FRANK BRUNS

The lead article by Frank Bruns focuses on the Phaistos Disc, discovered in 1908 by archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans at the Minoan site of Phaistos on Crete. This unique 16.5 cm clay disc, dating back 3,700 years, is notable for its 241 inscriptions made with movable type, forming a spiral on each side. The disc has long been a subject of speculation among philologists and scientists, with interpretations ranging from an alphabetical system to zodiacal signs or an 'allusive system of allegorical symbols.'

Bruns recounts how even renowned figures like Gerald S. Hawkins, who decoded Stonehenge, were unable to decipher the disc, consigning it to his 'unsolved file.' After four years of research, Bruns presents his own conclusion: the disc records a landing of extraterrestrials on Earth. He dismisses the idea that the symbols are Cretan hieroglyphs, having found no similar glyphs in his research in Greece and Crete. Bruns notes the symbols' accurate craftsmanship and suggests the lines might have been added later to aid interpretation. He posits that the 'type' was likely made of a hard substance like metal, indicating production by intelligent beings who landed there.

Bruns analyzes the symbols, suggesting they depict a space capsule splashdown, contact with natives, and a peace offering symbolized by a twig. He also identifies a symbol resembling a Japanese 'gazebo' (Figure 3), which he interprets as a flying object with landing wheels or pads. Another symbol, a circle with a center point and six dots, is suggested to represent an atom, possibly indicating a prehistoric nuclear conflict.

Expedition to Mexico

This section announces the "FINAL CALL FOR MEMBER EXPEDITION TO MEXICO" from February 28 to March 15, 1981. The itinerary includes visits to Mexico City, Villahermosa, the ruins of La Venta, Comalcalco, Palenque, Yaxchilan, and archaeological sites in Oaxaca such as Monte Alban, Mitla, and Zaachila. The expedition also includes relaxation time at Puerto Escondido and visits to the pyramids of Teotihuacan and Tula.

More on Zimbabwe

This piece, a letter from Orville L. Hope, discusses the Zimbabwe ruins and their connection to the Sirius star system, a concept popularized by Erich von Daniken. Hope agrees with von Daniken's interpretation and adds that there was once a smaller tower near the main structure, which he believes also fits into the Sirius system. He suggests the great ellipse at Zimbabwe was astronomical and laid out to conform to the Sirius system, a concept that a Dogon or Varozwi headman would recognize due to Sirius's importance in their religious beliefs. Hope also concurs that the Acropolis at Zimbabwe served as a lookout for warriors. He concludes by praising von Daniken for bringing to light more evidence of early man's activities than all other scholars and scientists combined.

The Petroglyphs of Toro Muerto

BY DORIS L. PHILLIPS

This article introduces Toro Muerto, a little-known archaeological zone in the Majes and Sihuas valleys of southern Peru, considered one of the richest areas for pre-Columbian art. Located about 175 kilometers northwest of Arequipa, the site is difficult to reach, requiring travel over asphalt and dirt roads through a desolate, arid valley. Toro Muerto features over 3,000 stones, varying in size, carved with a vast array of figures including birds, animals, reptiles, fish, and human-like forms, as well as geometrical designs.

The stones are made of volcanic silicon crystal, which is surprising given the nearest volcano is eighty kilometers away and the rock is not indigenous to the area. The origin of the rocks and the method of carving are unknown. Archaeologists estimate the carvings to be between 1,000 and 2,000 years old, though this is an educated guess as Carbon 14 dating cannot be used on stone. The stones were discovered in modern times by Peruvian archaeologist Dr. Eloy Linares Malaga. The article concludes by posing the question of who carved these boulders and for what purpose, suggesting the answer may never be known.

Extraterrestrial Visitations in Russian Folklore

BY VALERII I. SANAROV

Valerii I. Sanarov explores the theme of extraterrestrial visitations within Russian folklore. He begins by discussing an icon of Saint Simeon Stylite (390-420) in Aleppo, which he believes resembles a rocket launcher or space vehicle. Sanarov suggests that pillar asceticism and the 'King isolation' phenomenon in folklore, where kings and girls are confined in high towers without windows, reflect a recollection of extraterrestrial arrivals from space.

He interprets these folktales as representing a memory of long interplanetary flights requiring provisions, and the need for kings to avoid the sun and Earth. Sanarov posits that the confinement and solitude reflect the conditions of beings from outside the solar system. He cites Georgian and Megrel folktales where the king's daughter is called 'mzelunaqav' ('not seen by the sun' or 'not having seen the sun').

An Abkhazian folktale is presented, describing an aircraft descending from heaven and a man who kills the hero's brothers. The hero, however, manages to catch the craft, from which a beautiful girl emerges and revives the brothers. Sanarov connects this to the story of Alan-qoua, an ancestor of Genghis Khan, who reported being visited by a fair-skinned man with deep-blue eyes emerging from a light ray. This encounter caused her to be unable to move and resulted in a pregnancy, leading to descendants with fair skin and blue eyes. Sanarov argues that these folktales transform the fear of light and electro-magnetic effects into prohibitions of sun light and confinement, reflecting actual encounters.

Sanarov provides references to various folklore collections and historical texts to support his interpretations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the exploration of ancient mysteries and phenomena through the lens of ancient astronaut theory. The magazine consistently presents interpretations that suggest advanced extraterrestrial intelligence has influenced human history, technology, and culture. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these possibilities, encouraging readers to consider alternative explanations for ancient artifacts, myths, and historical accounts. There is a clear emphasis on presenting speculative theories as plausible explanations, often drawing parallels between ancient texts/artifacts and modern concepts of space travel and alien encounters.