ANCIENT SKIES

Magazine Overview

Title: ANCIENT SKIES
Issue: Volume 8, Number 6
Date: January-February, 1982
Publisher: Ancient Astronaut Society
Subtitle: Official Logbook of the Ancient Astronaut Society

Atlantis: A Lost Continent

The lead article, "Atlantis" by W. Raymond Drake, explores the enduring mystery of the lost continent. It delves into ancient traditions and philosophical accounts, particularly Plato's dialogues, Timaeus and Critias. Drake discusses the vastness of Atlantis, its supposed location extending from Iceland to South America, and its catastrophic end. He references Plato's account of Solon learning about Atlantis from Egyptian priests, who claimed Athens was founded 9000 years earlier and that Atlantis was destroyed in a single day and night of storms. The article touches upon the Toltecs and their connection to Atlantean culture, and the description of Atlantis as a magnificent metropolis with concentric rings of walls and canals, adorned with gold, silver, and orichalcum.

Drake also mentions various scholars and their theories, including Egerton Sykes' compilation of classical references, Heinrich Schliemann's findings related to Troy and Atlantis, and the Chinese traditions of a lost island called "Maligasima." The Hindu Puranas and Sanskrit records are cited for their descriptions of conflicts involving Atlanteans. The article highlights the theories of Ignatius Donnelly, who marshalled evidence for Atlantis' existence, and Lewis Spence's analysis of Celtic legends and American folklore. It also presents Professor Hans Schindler Bellamy's Cosmic Ice Theory, suggesting Atlantis was destroyed by immense floods caused by the Moon's capture by Earth's gravitational pull. The article notes that scholars like Jurgen Spanuth equate Atlantis with Heligoland, while Professor Angelos Galanopoulos suggests it was the island of Santorin.

The article further explores the symbolic representation of Atlantis, linking Poseidon, the god of the sea, to its rulers and its civilization's advanced nature. It mentions the myth of Atlas, son of Poseidon, and the War in the Heavens against Zeus. The influence of Atlanteans is suggested in the design of ancient cities like old Mexico and Carthage, and even in the inspiration for modern civilization from space. The article concludes by stating that the secret of Atlantis lies "enshrined in the sea-green ruins of Atlantis, yet to be discovered."

Paleovisitology: The Study of Ancient Astronauts

Vladimir V. Rubtsov introduces the concept of "paleovisitology" as a new scientific branch within the SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) framework. This field aims to study any presence of extraterrestrials on Earth in the past, whether geologic, prehistoric, or historic, and to search for traces of such "paleocontacts." Rubtsov notes the ongoing controversy surrounding the Ancient Astronaut hypothesis, emphasizing that current methods are insufficient to draw definitive conclusions. He proposes that paleovisitology should develop theoretical concepts and methods for searching for direct (artifacts) or indirect (radioactivity, genetic manipulation, ancient texts, images) traces of extraterrestrial presence.

The article highlights the need for integrated methods that combine traditional historical investigations with new techniques to distinguish extraterrestrial objects from terrestrial ones. Rubtsov suggests that the paleovisit problem is currently studied at a "pre-scientific" level, primarily in popular science publications. He advocates for the intensive study of promising facts, such as the astronomical knowledge of the Dogon people of Africa, to stimulate the development of paleovisitology theory and methodology.

Study Trips and Publications

The magazine announces upcoming study trips with Erich von Daniken to archaeological sites in Turkey (April 17-24, 1982) and Peru (September 15-29, 1982). It also mentions Zecharia Sitchin's new book, "The Stairway to Heaven," and the paperback release of his earlier work, "The 12th Planet," which has been translated into Portuguese and Italian.

Conferences and Society News

Announcements are made for the Eighth World Conference of the Ancient Astronaut Society in Vienna, Austria (November 12-13, 1982), and the Tenth Anniversary World Conference in Chicago (August 6-7, 1983). The Society also offers the complete works of John L. Stephens on his travels to Central America and Mexico for a contribution of US$50.00.

The Easter Island Boards

Tom Gary's article, "The Easter Island Boards," discusses the mystery of the rongo-rongo tablets found on Easter Island. These tablets, made of toro miro wood, are covered with over five hundred characters resembling human figures, birds, animals, and fish. Gary suggests that the designs on the tablets were not carved but produced by some mechanical means. He proposes that these tablets might be messages from "gods" or extraterrestrials, potentially providing evidence of Earth's visitation by intelligent beings in the past. Gary describes his experiment using a viewer with a glass ball and prisms to unscramble the designs, suggesting they could represent a moving picture or hologram.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the exploration of ancient mysteries, particularly the legend of Atlantis and the possibility of extraterrestrial influence on early human civilizations. The magazine consistently promotes the ancient astronaut hypothesis, presenting theories and evidence that suggest advanced ancient cultures may have been influenced or created by beings from outer space. The editorial stance is one of open inquiry into these possibilities, encouraging readers to "Search With Us!" and explore the evidence for lost civilizations and potential paleocontacts.