Ancient Skies - Vol 11 No 2 - 1984-85

Magazine Overview

Title: ANCIENT SKIES
Issue: Volume 11, Number 2
Date: May-June, 1984
Publisher: Ancient Astronaut Society
Country: USA
Price: $3.00

This issue of Ancient Skies focuses on "The Dogon Mystery," exploring the profound astronomical knowledge of the Dogon people of Mali, which appears to predate modern scientific understanding by centuries.

The Dogon Mystery

The article, written by Erich von Daniken, begins with his fascination sparked by a newspaper report about Robert Temple's book, 'The Sirius Mystery.' Temple claimed that the Dogon possessed detailed knowledge of the Sirius star system, including the position, gravitation, and orbit of Sirius' invisible satellite, which modern astronomy only discovered in the 19th century.

Von Daniken recounts meeting Robert Temple, an American linguist and member of the Royal Astronomical Society, who confirmed the Dogon's unique knowledge. The Dogon, who reside on the Bandiagara plateau and in the Hombori Mountains of Mali, have a complex mythology deeply intertwined with the stars.

French anthropologist Dr. Marcel Griaule first visited the Dogon in 1931, encountering a mythology that bewildered and fascinated him. He learned of ceremonies, like the Sigui Feast, repeated every fifty years, which involve preparing new masks that serve as a village archive of past generations' knowledge. Griaule, accompanied by ethnologist Dr. Germaine Dieterlen, published their four years of research in 1951 under the title 'A Sudanese Sirius System.'

The Sirius System and Dogon Mythology

The core of the Dogon mystery lies in their detailed knowledge of the Sirius system. They knew of a tiny, invisible satellite (Sirius B, which they call 'Po Tolo' or 'Digitaria') that revolves around the brightly shining Sirius (Sirius A). They also understood that Digitaria is the heaviest star and influences Sirius A's orbit, causing it to move in a wave-like pattern. This knowledge was held by four Sudanese peoples: the Dogon, Bambara, Bozo of Segu, and Minianka of Kutiala.

Modern astronomy confirmed the existence of Sirius B, a white dwarf star, in 1862, through the work of Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel, who had observed irregularities in Sirius A's orbit. Alvan Clarke, using a powerful telescope, eventually located Sirius B. Sirius B is incredibly dense, with a diameter of only 41,000 kilometers but the same mass as our Sun. Its orbital period around Sirius A is approximately 50.04 ± 0.09 years, a fact that Dogon elders had charted in sand drawings.

Robert Temple's 'The Sirius Mystery' highlights the striking similarity between the Dogon's sand drawings of Sirius B's orbit and modern astronomical diagrams, suggesting an accurate general knowledge of this subtle celestial mechanics.

Further Dogon Astronomical Knowledge

The Dogon myths go further, describing a star named 'Emme Ya,' a female star larger than Digitaria but four times lighter, which also orbits Sirius A. They also mention a third satellite, 'Shoemaker,' which orbits in the opposite direction. While these details about Emme Ya and Shoemaker are beyond current astronomical verification due to the vast distance, they add to the enigma of the Dogon's cosmic awareness.

Origins of the Knowledge

The article questions how the Dogon acquired this knowledge. While some suggest it might have been introduced by explorers or missionaries, the text emphasizes that the Dogon's knowledge is inexplicable by conventional means. Their traditions are ancient, with mask archives dating back to the fifteenth century, and evidence of Sigui celebrations tracing back to the twelfth century. The Dogon priest Ogotemmeli's account of the creator 'Amma' and the descent of 'Nommo' from the heavens, bringing grains and creating life, is presented as a parallel to the Big Bang theory, with Nommo's actions mirroring the creation and development of life.

Scientific and Academic Perspectives

The article touches upon the scientific debate surrounding planets in double-star systems, noting that such orbits are generally considered improbable. However, it asserts that the Dogon's knowledge of Sirius B was acquired without any known instruments or scientific aids.

Michael Ovenden, Professor of Astronomy at the University of Vancouver, discussed the Dogon mystery in the journal 'Nature,' suggesting that ancient traditions might have flowed through centers like the Moslem university at Timbuctu in Mali during the sixteenth century, potentially preserving knowledge from Greek, Egyptian, and Sumerian civilizations. However, the article stresses that no other accurate tradition about Sirius B exists besides the Dogon's.

Related Information and Events

The issue also includes information on the author's books, 'The Sirius Mystery' by Robert K.G. Temple, and 'Black Genesis' by Genieve Calame-Griaule. It announces the 12th Anniversary World Conference of the Ancient Astronaut Society, scheduled for September 20-21, 1985, in Zurich, Switzerland, and a related member expedition to Greece and Turkey in September 1985.

The Great Wall of Oakland

Another section discusses the 'The Great Wall of Oakland,' a five-foot-high stone wall extending approximately 40 miles across the hills above Oakland, California. Its origins and purpose are unknown, with theories ranging from early Spanish settlers to Chinese explorers. Petroglyphs found on the wall have been interpreted as possibly being of an ancient European language or Polynesian origin.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the exploration of ancient mysteries and the possibility of advanced knowledge held by ancient civilizations, particularly concerning astronomy. The magazine promotes the ancient astronaut theory, suggesting that extraterrestrial contact may have influenced human history and mythology. The editorial stance is one of open inquiry into unexplained phenomena and ancient enigmas, encouraging readers to "Come Search With Us!"