Ancient Skies - Vol 12 No 1 - 1985-86

Magazine Overview

Title: ANCIENT SKIES
Issue: Volume 12, Number 1
Date: March-April, 1985
Publisher: ANCIENT ASTRONAUT SOCIETY
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of ANCIENT SKIES, the Official Logbook of the Ancient Astronaut Society, delves into the concept of 'Cosmic Civilizers,' exploring the theory that extraterrestrial beings have visited Earth throughout history, influencing human development and culture.

Cosmic Civilizers by Andrew Tomas

The lead article, "Cosmic Civilizers" by Andrew Tomas, posits that future space exploration will lead to the discovery of primitive life on other planets, mirroring a hypothetical past where advanced beings from Earth visited and guided the evolution of nascent civilizations. Tomas suggests that these 'explorers' would impart knowledge, potentially even engaging in genetic enhancement, leading to the primitive inhabitants venerating them as gods. He argues that legends and myths worldwide are echoes of these ancient visitations, where 'messengers from the stars' bestowed culture and knowledge. The article draws parallels between these myths and the historical development of human societies, suggesting that the 'gods' of ancient lore were, in fact, advanced beings from other worlds.

Tomas highlights the evidence from various cultures: the Nuba people of Sudan's myth of a sky close enough to touch; the Shilluk's belief in a 'road to the moon'; Egyptian texts mentioning 'those who with their knowledge reach the vault of the sky' and 'those who live among the stars'; and the Inca legends of Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo teaching civilization. He also discusses Quetzalcoatl, the Plumed Serpent, who arrived in a 'winged ship' and brought knowledge to Mexico. The article touches upon the Hindu concept of celestial guardians and the biblical accounts of angels, suggesting they might represent beings from other worlds.

Furthermore, Tomas explores the idea of genetic experiments, referencing the biblical account of 'sons of God' coupling with 'daughters of men' and the Kabbalistic concept of 'celestial voyagers.' He cites Plutarch's description of a space voyage and the Book of Enoch's account of a journey to the heavens, noting the scientific accuracy in descriptions of stars. The article concludes by suggesting that ancient traditions, like those of the Dogon people who worship a pyramid with steps leading to a platform where 'sky gods landed,' and the astronomical alignments of structures like Stonehenge, point to a history of interaction with extraterrestrial civilizations.

Some Speculations by George Sassoon and Rodney Dale

This section, excerpted from their book "The Manna-Machine," proposes that life on Earth did not evolve steadily but in 'fits and starts,' with sudden evolutionary leaps. Sassoon and Dale suggest that Earth received visits from space-beings approximately 3500 years ago, with the primary purpose of improving a specific population group, possibly the Israelites. They infer from legends of other peoples that these visits were not unique and speculate that Earth may have been 'seeded' with life from elsewhere, with subsequent visits by 'starmen' to accelerate development and introduce new species. They compare these beings to gardeners tending to their plots, influencing both biological and cultural development.

The authors point to the sudden emergence of advanced cultures in archaeology, such as the magnificent temples in Egypt built with techniques beyond the capabilities of the preceding stone-age culture. They cite Flinders Petrie's observation that the first-dynasty Egyptians produced quality granite vases that later dynasties could not replicate, suggesting an external injection of knowledge. The article concludes that evidence points to occasional visits from advanced stellar systems, with a hand in Earth's development, and that this assistance may not have ceased.

Other Content

Zecharia Sitchin's Book: The issue mentions Zecharia Sitchin's upcoming book, "The Wars of Gods and Men," the third in "The Earth Chronicles" series, which aims to shed new light on mysteries such as the Biblical Flood, the Egyptian Pyramids, and the Sumerian civilization.

Researcher's Reflections: A personal reflection by a researcher expresses bafflement at how people can live without questioning their origins and criticizes the closed-mindedness of some scientists regarding these matters. The researcher also notes the similarity between Celtic witchcraft initiation rituals and Blackfeet Indian secret societies, and the use of stone circles for rituals similar to those in the British Isles.

Coming Events: The magazine lists upcoming events, including the 12th Anniversary World Conference in Zurich, Switzerland, and a Member Expedition to Turkey, Greece Mainland, and Greek Islands.

Birthday Congratulations: Erich von Daniken is congratulated on his 50th birthday.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the exploration and validation of the ancient astronaut theory. The magazine presents a strong stance in favor of the idea that extraterrestrial beings have significantly influenced human history, culture, and evolution. It encourages readers to question conventional historical and scientific narratives and to consider alternative explanations rooted in ancient myths, legends, and archaeological anomalies. The editorial stance is one of open inquiry, seeking to connect ancient wisdom with modern scientific possibilities and to promote the idea that humanity is not alone in the universe and has been visited by advanced civilizations in the past.