Ancient Skies - Vol 12 No 2 - 1985-86

Magazine Overview

Title: ANCIENT SKIES
Issue: Volume 12, Number 2
Date: May-June, 1985
Publisher: Official Logbook of the Ancient Astronaut Society
Cover Headline: THE RIDDLE OF THE STONES

The Riddle of the Stones

This article, written by Gene M Phillips, Founder of the Society, explores the enigmatic stone structures of the Incas, particularly the fortress of Sacsayhuaman. The author draws upon historical accounts from Garcilaso de la Vega and Cieza de Leon, as well as modern interpretations by historians and authors like William H Prescott and Victor Wolfgang von Hagen.

Historical Accounts

Cieza de Leon, a Spanish soldier who arrived in Peru in the late 1540s, compiled his "Chronicle of Peru" based on his observations and discussions with the Indians. Garcilaso de la Vega, born in Peru in 1539 to a Spanish conquistador and an Inca princess, wrote his "Royal Commentaries" based on memory and notes taken in Peru. William H Prescott's "History of the Conquest of Peru" (1847) was based on the works of Garcilaso and Cieza.

Garcilaso's Description of Sacsayhuaman

Garcilaso described the magnificent stone structures of the Incas, coining the phrase that the stones were "so well fitted together that you could not slip the point of a knife between two of them." He attributed the building of Sacsayhuaman to the Inca Tupac Yupanqui, though this is considered hearsay as Garcilaso was not born until 1539. Garcilaso's comments on the stone-work are striking:

"Its proportions are inconceivable when one has not actually seen it; and when one has looked at it closely and examined it attentively, they appear to be so extraordinary, that it seems as though some magic had presided over its construction; that it must be the work of demons, instead of human beings..." He noted the difficulty of quarrying, transporting, and fitting stones without iron or steel tools, wagons, or oxen, and suggested the stones were found and fitted according to their shape, with convex sides fitting hollows.

Victor Wolfgang von Hagen's Interpretation

Victor Wolfgang von Hagen, a renowned explorer and ethnographer, in his book "Realm of the Incas," chastised writers who attributed the stone-work to a "Megalithic empire." He stated that the Sacsayhuaman fortress is "one of the greatest single structures ever reared by ancient man," and that despite the size and shape of the monoliths (up to 20 tons), they were made and fitted easily without cement. Von Hagen attributed this to the Incas' "long heritage in stone-working," inherited from the pre-Inca culture of Tiahuanaco, and an "aesthetic feeling for the quality of stone."

Later, in "The Ancient Sun Kingdoms of the Americas," von Hagen described the construction as a mystery, noting the scale and precision. He suggested engineers used stone hammers and axes, bronze chisels, sand abrasives, wooden crowbars, and rollers to quarry, shape, transport, and place stones, a process requiring hundreds of attempts to fit them perfectly.

Phillips' Critique and Alternative Theories

Phillips finds von Hagen's explanations "pure conjecture" and lacking proof. He questions how knowledge of such a feat could be forgotten if built by Incas in the mid-15th century. Phillips, having visited Peru and examined the stone-work at Sacsayhuaman, Cuzco, Ollantaytambo, and Machu Picchu, observes that the stones are not just fitted with smooth faces but are often "interlocking," providing structural support. He suggests this interlocking is deliberate, not accidental.

Phillips proposes that the stones were not cut but "moulded." He theorizes that either a technique was used to soften stones and impress them with other stones, or the stones were manufactured from a concrete-like material. He points to the bevelled edges, not for artistic effect as von Hagen suggested, but to smooth and harden edges to prevent chipping. He also notes that smaller stones are often found at the bottom of walls.

Computer Technology and Moulding

Phillips draws a parallel between the multi-dimensional, interlocking surfaces of Inca stones and modern computer technology used to produce multi-dimensional parts with close tolerances. He suggests it is not far-fetched to imagine that the ancients utilized computer technology to produce moulds for the stones or to direct their machining.

Notes and References

The article includes a detailed list of notes and references, citing works by Cieza de Leon, Garcilaso de la Vega, William H Prescott, Victor W Von Hagen, and L Sprague de Camp.

Photos

Photographs are included showing stone walls in Cuzco, the fortress at Sacsayhuaman, the wall at Ollantaytambo, and the wall of "Tres Ventanas" at Machu Picchu, illustrating the precision and interlocking nature of the stonework.

Book Review: The Wars of Gods and Men

This section reviews Zecharia Sitchin's "The Wars of Gods and Men," the third book in "The Earth Chronicles" series. Sitchin's work posits that extraterrestrials from a planet called Nibiru (or Marduk) arrived on Earth 450,000 years ago, bringing culture and civilization, but also engaging in conflicts that led to a nuclear holocaust in 2024 BC. The review highlights Sitchin's extensive research into ancient texts and his presentation of complex information in an accessible style.

Member Expedition to USSR

Due to terrorist activities, the Society's expedition to Turkey and Greece was cancelled. An alternative expedition to the Soviet Union is planned for September 1985, following the 12th Anniversary World Conference in Zurich. The itinerary includes visits to Moscow and Leningrad.

Notable Members

The magazine announces the deaths of two long-time and beloved members: Enrique Burmeister of Mexico and Ajit Dutt of India. Burmeister was instrumental in arranging Society expeditions to Mexico and Central America. Dutt was the translator of Erich von Daniken's books into Bengali and a proponent of Daniken's work in India.

New Publications

Peter and Johannes Fiebag have published a new German book, "Aus Den Tiefen Des Alls - Handbuch zur Pra-Astronautik," which is a scientific handbook on the ancient astronaut hypothesis. The English translation is anticipated. Erich von Daniken's latest book, "Habe ich mich geirrt? Neue Erinnerungen an die Zukunft," is also available in German.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the advanced technological capabilities of ancient civilizations, particularly the Incas, and the ongoing debate about their origins and methods of construction. The magazine promotes the ancient astronaut theory, suggesting that extraterrestrial influence played a significant role in human history and the development of sophisticated ancient cultures. The editorial stance is one of inquiry and exploration, encouraging readers to question conventional historical narratives and consider alternative explanations for ancient mysteries, often referencing the works of authors like Erich von Daniken and Zecharia Sitchin.