Ancient Skies - Vol 08 No 1 - 1981-82

Magazine Overview

Title: ANCIENT SKIES
Issue: Volume 8, Number 1
Date: March-April, 1981
Publisher: ANCIENT ASTRONAUT SOCIETY
Country: USA
Theme: Exploration of ancient civilizations, archaeology, and ancient astronaut theories.

Palenque: The Finest Expression of Technology and Sophisticated Artistry of a Lost Civilization

This feature article by Gene M. Phillips, Founder of the Society, delves into the history of the exploration and significance of the Mayan ruins at Palenque, Mexico. The article begins by recounting the early expeditions of John H. Caddy and Patrick Walker in 1839, who raced to Palenque from Belize, and contrasts their efforts with those of John Lloyd Stephens and Frederick Catherwood, who were also exploring the region. Despite Palenque being known, Caddy and Walker's journey was arduous, and their account was eventually overshadowed by Stephens' popular books and Catherwood's accurate illustrations, created using a camera lucida.

The article highlights the geographical location of Palenque in the Mexican state of Chiapas, near the border with Guatemala. It mentions earlier Spanish visits to the ruins around 1750 and notes the disservice done by the Comte Jean de Waldeck's "grotesque renderings" in 1832. Caddy's accurate drawings in 1840 are credited with setting the record straight.

A significant detour in the narrative discusses the missed opportunity by the English explorers to visit the vast ruins of Tikal in northern Guatemala, which were only a few miles off their route. The article references Domingo Juarros' 1808 account of Guatemala, which described a large population and numerous idols around Lake Peten-Itzá, a claim Caddy found to be an exaggeration, unaware of Tikal's proximity.

The article then details the archaeological work at Palenque by various scholars, including Desiré Charnay, Alfred P. Maudslay, and Teobert Maler. It emphasizes the importance of Franz Blom's mapping in 1925 and the accelerated restoration efforts under Mexican archaeologist Alberto Ruz Lhuillier, who became Director of Research in 1949.

The centerpiece of the article is Ruz's discovery in the Temple of the Inscriptions. While clearing debris, he found a stone floor with circular holes. Further investigation revealed a hidden stone stair, which took four seasons to clear, leading to a passageway blocked by solidified stone and lime. At the bottom, Ruz discovered the skeletal remains of six young individuals, including one female.

Following this discovery, Ruz examined the walls and found a triangular stone that, when pried loose, revealed a large crypt with a high corbelled-arch ceiling, described as an "ice palace" due to stalactites and stalagmites. The main object within was a large stone slab, estimated to weigh 4,500 kilograms, resting on a monolith. Suspecting a burial vault, Ruz drilled into the slab, finding traces of red paint, indicating a sarcophagus. The slab was painstakingly raised using a felled hardwood tree and automobile jacks.

Inside the sarcophagus, Ruz found the skeletal remains of a tall male, possibly of "non-Mayan origin." A sensationalistic magazine report exaggerated his height to 12 feet, but the actual height was 5 feet 9 inches, considered tall relative to the average Mayan height of 4 feet 10 inches. Among the bones were over 200 pieces of carved jade jewelry, including a mask of the occupant's face, now displayed in the Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City.

The article notes that the skeletal remains were left in the sarcophagus, and there is no record of a carbon-14 test. Inquiries to Alberto Ruz regarding this and other questions, such as the age of the stalactites, received no response. Alberto Ruz Lhuillier passed away in 1979.

The focus then shifts to the sarcophagus lid itself, described as one of the most intricate and baffling stone reliefs found. Carved with a design about one inch deep and hieroglyphics on the sides, the main design depicts a central figure in an unusual pose. Early explanations suggested a sacrificial altar, but in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Erich von Daniken proposed a "space-age" interpretation, suggesting the design was a cross-section of a space capsule with an astronaut at the controls.

This interpretation led to a "First Round Table discussion" in 1973, where scholars and archaeologists agreed on a "new" scientific interpretation: the figure is Pacal, King of Palenque, shown falling between heaven and hell into the jaws of a mythological monster.

The article emphasizes that Palenque's ruins are unique among Mayan sites, suggesting they might not have been built by the same people. The accomplishments of an advanced cultural and technological society are evident in their engineering, architecture, construction techniques, and hydraulics.

The "Palace Complex" is highlighted as a particularly astonishing structure, built on an artificial terrace. Its outer walls are massive, and the interior contains corridors, rooms, stairways, and reliefs. The design has an oriental flavor, with various styles of arches, including a Moorish arch, contributing to its mystery. The contrast between blackened roofs and light gray limestone structures creates an eerie atmosphere. The roof style is described as Mansard, with Pullman-car types used for corridors. Remnants of rococo-style stucco decorations are visible.

The columns separating open doorways in the complex feature ornately carved high-relief stucco designs, each depicting a different scene. Some are well-preserved, while others are missing. The inner walls of the eastern outer corridor are adorned with rococo-style picture frames, once holding busts in bas-relief, but now only showing neck and shoulders.

The rooms and corridors are finished with smooth plaster, with vestiges of multi-colored painted designs. A prominent feature is the tower, offering views of the site and surrounding savannah. The tower's upper third and roof have been rebuilt.

Surprisingly, the Palace Complex features indoor "plumbing," with stone toilets strategically placed over channels for waste removal. An extensive system of aqueducts supplies fresh water from the mountains through underground, stone-lined channels.

The Temple of the Inscriptions is described as a terraced, stepped pyramid, now fully restored. Its front features open corridors with columns, similar to the Palace, which once bore elaborate stucco designs. The article notes the acoustic properties between the Temple of the Sun and the Temple of the Foliated Cross, allowing normal conversation between their doorways 330 feet apart.

Inside the Temple of the Inscriptions, the article describes the stone floor sections with concave designs and protruding plugs, a complex feat of craftsmanship. The descent down Ruz's stairway is depicted as frightening, with steep steps, a low ceiling, and no handrails. The stairway has two sections, totaling 66 steps, leading to the crypt. The article mentions a stone "air-tube" along the steps for ventilation.

Upon returning to the surface, the author notes the anti-climactic nature of visiting smaller structures clustered around a grassy plaza. These structures are less restored, with elaborate bas-relief carvings on stone slabs depicting personages and hieroglyphics.

The article concludes by lamenting the impending construction of a multi-story Club Med Hotel complex near Palenque, which is expected to despoil the site, despite Gilbert C. Griffin's description of Palenque as "the most hauntingly eloquent site in Mexico."

A "Recommended Reading on Palenque" section lists several books by authors like John L. Stephens, Victor W. Von Hagen, Robert Wauchope, and Robert L. Brunhouse, as well as specific publications on Palenque by Alberto Ruz Lhuillier. It also mentions Erich von Daniken's latest book available in German.

Book Review: The Stairway to Heaven

This section reviews Zecharia Sitchin's book, "The Stairway to Heaven," published by St. Martin's Press. The reviewer, Gene M. Phillips, notes Sitchin's assertion that the book is "not science fiction." The review highlights Sitchin's theories based on Sumerian sources, which suggest that "astronauts" from a "Twelfth Planet" named Marduk landed on Earth 450,000 years ago in search of gold. These "Anunnaki" (Those of Heaven Who Are on Earth) are said to have mined gold in southeastern Africa and transported it to Mesopotamia. The book further proposes that the Anunnaki resorted to genetic engineering, creating homo sapiens by fertilizing an apewoman's egg with the sperm of a young "god" and implanting it into a female astronaut.

The review emphasizes that Sitchin's claims are based on deciphered Sumerian pictographic tablets, which he believes predate Biblical accounts. The book reportedly explains the cause of the worldwide deluge and discusses mankind's search for immortality. Sitchin's explanation for the worldwide deluge is described as fascinating. The review also mentions the site of Baalbeck in Lebanon, with its gigantic stone blocks, as a potential "Cape Canaveral" of ancient times and the Anunnaki's spaceport.

Phillips concludes that Sitchin's work provides "convincing answers" to questions about the origin of mankind and is more engrossing than Sitchin's previous book, "The Twelfth Planet."

The Elusive Lake Pethá

This section discusses the search for a specific lake, Lake Pethá, in southern Mexico. During a recent expedition, an aerial reconnaissance of Lake Santa Clara revealed it was not the Lake Pethá described by Austrian archaeologist Teobert Maler, who explored the Lacandon region in 1898. Lake Santa Clara was found to be smaller and shallower than indicated on maps and lacked the characteristics of the described Lake Pethá.

The confusion arises because the Lacandon Indian word for "lake" is "pethá," meaning any lake is referred to as "pethá." The article notes that Carlos Saenz Jurado, a pilot with 30 years of experience, and Enrique Burmeister of ABC Travel Service suggested that Maler's lake is likely Lake Miramar, located in the extreme southern part of Chiapas, within the Lacandon Jungle. Lake Miramar is known as the "Sacred Lake of the Lacandons" and was the site of the last battle between the Lacandons and the Spanish.

Lake Miramar is described as being nestled in a valley surrounded by high mountains, with a circumference of 8 kilometers. Its depth is unknown but estimated to be over 400 meters. The lake features a waterfall, cliffs, and unexplored ancient ruins on islands within it.

Plans are underway for a future member expedition to Lake Miramar to explore the region and search for the "Rocas de las Pinturas" (Rock Paintings) described by Maler. The expedition will involve flying into the jungle, traveling by motor-powered boats, and hiking. The trip will include three days spent exploring the lake, with opportunities for scuba diving. It is described as a physically taxing trip involving seven continuous nights of camping.

Interested members are advised to contact the Society office. Trips can be arranged between November and May, with a limit of 15 persons per expedition.

Enrique Burmeister Honored

Enrique Burmeister, Director General of ABC Travel Service in Mexico City, was honored at a banquet attended by over 700 civic leaders. He received the city's highest award, the Golden Angel, for his contribution to tourism in Mexico over the past 50 years. Burmeister is a Charter Member of the Ancient Astronaut Society.

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 Society 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 exploration and interpretation of ancient archaeological sites, particularly Palenque, and the promotion of the ancient astronaut theory. The magazine presents archaeological findings alongside speculative theories, such as those proposed by Erich von Daniken and Zecharia Sitchin, suggesting extraterrestrial influence on ancient civilizations. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these unconventional interpretations of history and archaeology, encouraging members to participate in expeditions and further research. The publication also serves to promote the Ancient Astronaut Society and its activities.