ANCIENT SKIES

Magazine Overview

Title: ANCIENT SKIES
Issue: Volume 11, Number 4
Date: September-October, 1984
Publisher: Ancient Astronaut Society
Country: USA

This issue of Ancient Skies delves into the hypothetical scenario of Venusian space pioneers undertaking one-way expeditions to Earth. It presents a detailed investigation into the selection of a landing site and the design of a suitable vehicle for such a mission, framed from the perspective of a mission planner on Venus.

Landing Site and Vehicle for Venus-Earth Expedition

The article, authored by Dr. Stuart W. Greenwood, proposes that severe volcanic eruptions on Venus prompted its scientists to mount one-way expeditions to Earth. The scenario outlines the basis for selecting a landing site and designing a vehicle. The proposed landing site is an inland sea in South America, described as two islands (East and West) separated by a sheltered sea, based on research by Venice Priddis. This location was chosen to meet the equatorial requirement and provide options for settlement. The article notes that Africa was initially considered but deferred due to its rough terrain and potential hazards from abundant life forms.

The landing vehicle concept is derived from a study of cast gold artifacts found in Colombia, South America, which Ivan T. Sanderson termed 'Little Gold Airplanes.' The vehicle is designed to survive atmospheric descent, maneuver in later stages of flight, land on sheltered water, and run ashore. It must carry cargo, serve as a temporary base, and be protected against atmospheric heating. Key design features include a winged configuration, a blunt nose, a large vertical fin for lateral stability, and small horizontal tailplanes and elevators for vertical control.

The article discusses the approach to the landing site from the West along the equator to utilize Earth's spin, maximizing the West-East direction to alleviate landing problems. An overflight of Colombia on the West Island is planned for surveying potential settlement sites before landing on the inland sea. The mission's success could lead to further expeditions with more complex vehicle systems.

Concluding Comments

Greenwood's speculative sections offer a coherent picture for further study. The hypotheses about missions from Venus, the selection of South America as a landing site, and the resemblance of Colombian gold artifacts to landing vehicles require verification. The prominent 'teeth' on the gold objects' 'faces' might represent intakes for an air cushion system used for skimming over water.

The article ponders the current location of these hypothetical landing vehicles, suggesting they might be in the jungles east of the Andes, an area explored by Karl Brugger and sought by Erich von Daniken. It acknowledges that what might remain of the original vehicles is unknown but suggests that Colombian craftsmen may have had oral descriptions from which to work.

Reader Contributions and Anecdotes

The issue includes several reader contributions:

• Kenneth Parshall (Valencia, PA): Recounts an excavation in Nashville, Tennessee, where a cavern revealed a sabre-tooth tiger alongside an Indian's remains. He also mentions a gravel pit in Orlando, Florida, that contained a giant sloth with an 18-foot spinal cord, and the gigantic mounds at Poverty Point in Northern Louisiana.
• Oddvar Eriksen (Steinberg, NORWAY): Shares an account from Ancient Skies 11:3 about Helmut Zettl's report of a Peruvian discovering how to soften stone using cactus juice. This phenomenon was observed by Francisco de Orellana in 1541, who noted that a bird could peck away at stone softened by cactus juice.

Open Letter to Ancient Astronaut Theory Proponents

Dr. Vladimir V. Rubtsov critically analyzes the problem of paleovisits from a broader perspective, distinguishing between science, non-science, and 'parascience.' He defines parascience as a subsystem that ideologically conflicts with science, characterized by weakened methodological criteria and a tendency to prove pre-existing hypotheses. He notes that parascience often borrows from other fields and relies on publications and circulation for its community structure.

Rubtsov argues that while parascience can generate original ideas, it often produces absurd ones. He traces the history of the paleovisit idea from extrascience (occultism, science fiction) in the 19th and early 20th centuries to its revival after World War II as 'historical ufology.' He mentions key figures like H.P. Blavatsky, Jules Verne, Charles Fort, and later authors like D. Leslie, M.K. Jessup, G.H. Williamson, and Erich von Daniken. The formation of the Ancient Astronaut Society in 1973 is noted.

He discusses attempts to introduce paleovisits into science, such as by Dr. M.M. Agrest in the USSR, and the influence of the 'Fermi paradox' in encouraging scientific consideration of extraterrestrial presence. Rubtsov emphasizes that for a paleovisit to become a 'global truth,' it must pass through science's filtering system, requiring rigorous, verified, and consistent methods.

Rubtsov concludes that the ancient astronaut movement may be stagnating due to repetition of old ideas. He poses a crucial question: "Where are the really new ideas?" He identifies two main points: the complementary yet conflicting nature of scientific and parascientific approaches to paleovisits, and the reluctance of editors and publishers to feature repetitive content, which could lead to the disintegration of the movement.

Coming Events

The issue lists upcoming events:

• 12th Anniversary World Conference of the Ancient Astronaut Society in Zurich, Switzerland (September 2-21, 1985).
• Member Expedition to Switzerland, Greece, and Turkey (September 17 - October 12, 1985).
• Member Expedition to Tibet (1986).

Obituary

The death of Peter Kolosimo, a leading author in the ancient astronaut field, is announced. He died at age 61 in Modena, Italy, and was known for books like 'Not of this World,' 'Timeless Earth,' and 'Spaceships in Prehistory.'

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the ancient astronaut theory, presenting speculative scenarios based on archaeological findings and scientific hypotheses. It encourages readers to engage with these ideas and contributes to the ongoing discussion about extraterrestrial influence on human history. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these topics, while also acknowledging the need for scientific rigor and the distinction between scientific and parascientific approaches, as highlighted by Dr. Rubtsov's letter.