ANCIENT SKIES

Magazine Overview

Title: ANCIENT SKIES
Issue: Volume 10, Number 6
Date: January-February, 1984
Publisher: ANCIENT ASTRONAUT SOCIETY
Country: USA
Theme: Exploration of ancient mysteries and extraterrestrial theories.

Vaults of Time by Andrew Tomas

The lead article, "Vaults of Time," by Andrew Tomas, explores the pervasive theme of hidden repositories of knowledge and treasures across global ancient mythologies. Tomas posits that many ancient myths are disguised history, citing examples like Heinrich Schliemann's discovery of Troy and Arthur Evans' uncovering of Minoan civilization. He argues that legends of divine civilizers burying "time capsules" with the help of men are not mere fantasy.

Scientific speculation, such as that of astronomer Dr. Frank Drake and Soviet physicist Dr. Matest Agrest, supports the idea that ancient visitors from space might have left artifacts or evidence of their presence. Agrest is quoted suggesting that ancient astronauts "took special care to preserve the evidence of their visit for the benefit of future, more enlightened generations."

The article details similar legends from disparate cultures: Hindu folklore speaks of flying Nagas guarding treasures in underground palaces; Tibetan Buddhists believe sacred books were kept in Naga caves; and ancient Chinese texts mention a community of "starmen" in the Kun Lun Mountains ruled by Xi Wang Mu. The legend of Quetzalcoatl in Mexico, who supposedly buried fifty-two golden tablets, and Inca traditions of treasures buried in the Andes by the "Children of the Sun," are also presented.

Harold Wilkins is mentioned for his research into South American secret societies guarding treasures, including the golden image of the Sun from Cuzco. The chronicles of conquistadors also refer to vaults containing a crystal that showed pictures of the past and future.

Tomas references Erich von Daniken's "Gold of the Gods," which describes subterranean galleries in Ecuador allegedly discovered by Juan Moricz.

The article delves into the historical and archaeological evidence, or lack thereof, for these claims. It discusses ancient Babylonian and Middle Eastern legends of "vaults of time" and Sumerian sources mentioning survivors of a Great Flood sent by sky gods. Flavius Josephus, a First Century Hebrew historian, is cited for his account of ancients inscribing scientific discoveries on monuments before the deluge, with a possible location in Syria (Baalbek).

The Gnostic "Book of the Cave of Treasures" is mentioned, describing hidden mysteries buried in a "Mountain of Victories" in Syria. The Egyptian "Leiden Papyrus" (First Century) is presented as detailing a ritual of initiation involving dark corridors and a crypt with seven doors. Herodotus's account of Osiris appearing 15,000 years prior and his chronology based on Egyptian priests are noted.

Ammianus Marcellinus, a Fourth Century Roman historian, believed in secret Egyptian vaults containing historical records and artifacts. Crantor, a Greek commentator on Plato, spoke of secret monuments in Egypt holding the history of Atlantis.

Arabic scholars of the Seventh Century onwards recorded Coptic legends. The writings of Tenth Century historians like Masoudi, Makrisi, and Biruni, and Ninth Century Arab historians Ibn Abd Hokim and Abou Balkh, are cited for their extensive accounts of prehistoric treasures. A Coptic legend describes an Egyptian ruler, Surid, who, after a vision of cataclysm, ordered the construction of the three Giza Pyramids to house secret underground vaults filled with treasures and scientific records. These vaults were allegedly guarded by mechanical statues or robots and protected by invisible spirits.

Muterdi and other Arabic writers reported explorers seeing stone doors open and close in the Khufu Pyramid, with flashes of light in dark corridors.

The article connects these legends to secret fraternities like Rosicrucians and Freemasons. The "Rosicrucian Manifesto" (1614) is mentioned for its account of opening Christian Rosenkreuz's tomb, which contained storehouses lit by an "artificial sun." The rituals of Freemasonry are said to maintain a tradition of underground crypts.

Count Cagliostro's arrest in Rome in 1798 is recounted, along with the discovery of a manuscript attributed to Count de St. Germain, "La Tres Sainte Trinosophie." This manuscript allegedly describes a deep underground gallery leading to a round, brightly-lit hall with crystal walls. Cagliostro's own memoirs mention entering such places in Egypt.

Christian Pitois' "Histoire de la Magie" (1876) is cited for information about the underground vault of Giza, suggesting the Sphinx served as an entrance to subterranean chambers of the Great Pyramid, accessible via a bronze door operated by a secret spring.

The Druzes of Lebanon and Syria are presented as preserving knowledge about these secret vaults, with their doctrine teaching that mankind was created by "Sons of God" from the heavens. They revere Thoth-Hermes and possess coded books understood only by initiated chiefs.

Prince Kemal Joumblat, a Druze leader, is quoted as saying that initiated Druzes left seals and signatures on the walls of hidden galleries, and that the ancient storehouse would be opened before the end of the Century, guarded by various fraternities.

The "Mahatma Letters" (published 1923, written 1882) are referenced, with a letter from Koot Humi to Alfred P. Sinnett discussing the "occult mysteries" and "tangible objects of great importance" guarded in the Great Pyramid. The purpose was to protect them from earthquakes and submergence.

Another alleged discovery is attributed to Sir Flinders Petrie and Dr. John O. Kinnaman, who purportedly found a hidden vault in the Khufu Pyramid containing an anti-gravity machine and thousands of crystal prisms, believed to be from Atlantis. They allegedly kept this discovery secret, deeming the world not ready for such knowledge.

The article concludes by questioning the purpose of these "Vaults of Time." Tomas suggests that evolution follows a cyclical path, and the opening of these vaults during a planetary crisis serves as a stern warning: "What happened to that lost civilization, can also happen to you."

The theory is supported by modern examples of time capsules, such as the Westinghouse capsule (1938) and Oglethorpe College's "Crypt of Civilization" (1940).

Open Letter to Editors and Publishers in English-Speaking Countries, by Erich von Daniken

Erich von Daniken addresses the decline in sales of his books in the English-speaking world, attributing it to media attacks he feels were less prevalent in German and Spanish-speaking countries where he could defend himself. He notes a recent resurgence of interest in ancient astronaut theories, with many scientists now entering the field.

Von Daniken highlights the work of scientists like Prof. Dr. Papagiannis (Boston University), who presented calculations suggesting aliens must have visited our solar system and that traces could be found in the asteroid belt. He also mentions Prof. M. Taube (ETH Zurich) and Prof. Dr. N. Vogt (University of Munich), who independently reached similar conclusions about extraterrestrial visits to our solar system.

He references Nobel laureate Francis Crick's book "Life Itself," which suggests life was imported to Earth by a higher civilization, and the work of Sir Fred Hoyle and N. C. Wickramasinghe, who propose that life originated from space and that Darwin's theory may be partly incorrect. Von Daniken points out that these ideas align with his own writings from 1977.

He also mentions Dr. Robert A. Freitas's proposal for "SETA" (Search for Extraterrestrial Artifacts) in the Journal of the British Interplanetary Society, noting it mirrors his own 25-year focus. Soviet scientist Vladimir V. Rubtsov's suggestion of "Paleovisitology" is also noted.

Von Daniken discusses his collaboration with Gerald S. Hawkins, author of "Mindsteps to the Cosmos." Hawkins developed a geometric concept relating the Giza pyramids' slope angles to the obliquity of the ecliptic and latitude, a concept Von Daniken had previously explored in "Pursuit" and "Ancient Skies." He mentions meeting Hawkins and discussing their independent findings.

The article recounts the tragic death of Karl Brugger, author of "The Chronicle of Akakor," who was shot in Rio de Janeiro. Brugger's book detailed the Ugha Mongulala tribe's claims of extraterrestrial ancestors founding an advanced civilization. Brugger's planned expedition to find the underground city of Akahim, inspired by Von Daniken, was thwarted.

Von Daniken questions whether Brugger was assassinated because he knew too much.

Book Announcements

The issue includes announcements for Andrew Tomas's new book "Mirage of the Ages" and Erich von Daniken's "Pathways to the Gods?" in paperback.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes the ancient astronaut theory, presenting legends, scientific speculation, and anecdotal evidence as support for the idea that extraterrestrials have visited Earth and influenced human civilization. The editorial stance is one of open inquiry into these possibilities, encouraging readers to "Come Search With Us!" The articles often link ancient myths, monumental structures, and unexplained phenomena to advanced extraterrestrial intelligence. There is a clear emphasis on challenging conventional historical and scientific narratives in favor of exploring alternative explanations rooted in ancient astronaut theories.