Ancient Skies - Vol 14 No 1 - 1987-88

Magazine Overview

Title: ANCIENT SKIES
Issue Date: March-April, 1987
Publisher: ANCIENT ASTRONAUT SOCIETY
Content Focus: This issue of Ancient Skies explores the enigmatic astronomical achievements of the Mayan civilization, the possibility of ancient telescopes, and delves into the historical and philosophical roots of monotheistic religions.

Enigmas of Mayan Astronomy

The lead article, "Enigmas of Mayan Astronomy" by Andrew Tomas, highlights the extraordinary mathematical and astronomical prowess of the Maya and the earlier Olmecs. The Mayas possessed a sophisticated understanding of mathematics, using a base-20 system that included the concept of zero and could count into the millions. Their astronomical calculations were remarkably precise; for instance, they calculated 405 full moons to occur in 11,960 days, a figure very close to the modern astronomical value of 11,959.888 days. Their calculation of the Venusian year as 584 days, based on centuries of observation, is also remarkably accurate compared to the current 583.92 days. The Mayan tropical year was measured at 365.2420 days, closely matching the modern 365.2422 days.

The article discusses the Dresden Tables, which contain astronomical data, including a table for Mars with a synodic year of 780 days. The Paris Codex is mentioned for its depictions of constellations like Pleiades (called 'rattlesnake rattle') and Gemini ('turtle'), and the constellation Scorpio, which shared a name with its counterpart in ancient Babylon, Egypt, and Greece. These elements are recognized as symbolic star maps.

Mayan astronomers calculated the lunar month with high precision: Copan Mayas at 29.53020 days and Palenque astronomers at 29.53086 days, both close to the current scientific value of 29.53059 days. A significant discovery was the identification of a Mayan diagram in 1956 by C.A. Burland as a transit of Venus, indicating a crossing of the solar disk on November 25, 416 AD.

The Mayan chronology was primarily solar but incorporated lunar and Venusian cycles. They employed three calendars: the haab (18 months of 20 days plus a 5-day period, totaling 365 days), the tzolkin (260 days, considered sacred), and the 'long count,' which tracked days from 3113 BC. The 'katun' (20 years) and a 52-year cycle were also part of their temporal reckoning. This tri-cyclical system provided practical applications for farmers and seafarers.

Maurice Chatelain, a mathematician involved in the moon landing project, is cited for his assertion that the Mayas knew of Uranus and Neptune. The awareness of these planets, discovered in the late 18th and mid-19th centuries respectively, suggests a level of astronomical observation that might have involved telescopes, as Uranus is barely visible to the naked eye.

The article mentions a specific date recorded at Quirigua, Guatemala: katun 17, ahau 13, cumbu 18, which would not be repeated for 19,000 years. The precision of the Mayan calendar is contrasted with the complexity of modern calendars.

The central enigma highlighted is how Mayan priests, without apparent optical instruments or hour glasses, achieved such precise astronomical calculations. This leads to the hypothesis that they may have possessed telescopes.

The Case for Mayan Telescopes

Andrew Tomas presents the possibility of Mayan telescopes based on correspondence with V.N. Gercke, a retired electronics engineer and frequent visitor to Yucatan. Gercke claims to have found evidence of ancient Mayan optical telescopes, primarily consisting of concave mirrors made from minerals like ilmenite and magnetite. These mirrors, often dismissed as ornamental or religious artifacts, are described as having excellent polish and parabolic curvatures, similar to modern optical reflectors.

The article explains the principle of a reflector telescope, which uses a concave mirror to magnify objects and increase light intensity. It references William Herschel's 20-inch reflecting telescope used in the 18th century. The Mayan mirrors, approximately 12 cm in diameter, were likely covered with mercury, unlike modern aluminum coatings. The discovery of cinnabar, a source of mercury, alongside ancient tools at two sites, supports this idea.

An appendix by Jonas Gullberg in the Smithsonian Bulletin is quoted, describing the La Venta concave mirrors as having remarkable technical and artistic quality, with curvatures that progressively increase from the center to the edge, mimicking the parabolizing effect of modern optical reflectors.

These mirrors were likely housed in tubes made of perishable materials like palm trees. The article suggests that these concave mirrors, by magnifying and intensifying light, could have enabled Mayan astronomers to study the moon, planets, and brighter stars.

Historical Context and Religious Evolution

Liz Collins' article, "Close Encounters," offers a philosophical and historical perspective on religion, particularly focusing on the origins of monotheism and its impact on Western culture. Collins argues that the concept of a single, omnipotent God, as prevalent in Christianity and Judaism, stems from a 'close encounter of the third kind' experienced by the Jews fleeing Egypt around the 14th Century BC. This encounter, described as involving a deity with human-like frailties such as jealousy and a desire for dominance, led to the establishment of a religion based on obedience, fear, and a set of rules enforced by threat of punishment.

Collins traces the spread of the idea of multiple gods and 'close encounters' through ancient civilizations like Greece and Egypt, where deities were often depicted as landing on Earth, imparting knowledge, and founding dynasties. These beings were later deified. The article notes the religious tolerance of early Greeks, Egyptians, and Persians, who could assimilate foreign deities.

The narrative then focuses on the Jews' unique adherence to a single God, their resistance to assimilation, and their struggles for sovereignty, culminating in Roman rule. The rise of Roman military power is linked to the decline of Hellenistic empires and the Maccabean revolt.

The article details the persecution of Jewish communities and their eventual suppression by Rome. It then shifts to the rise of Christianity, which, despite initial persecution, eventually became the preferred religion of the Roman Empire under Constantine. The subsequent era under Theodosius the Great saw Christianity become the state religion, leading to the destruction of pagan temples, libraries, and the suppression of other faiths.

Collins posits that the ancient wisdom and science of the world were largely destroyed or hidden away, leading to a period of darkness and ignorance, marked by the Inquisition and the brutal enforcement of religious dogma. The eventual rediscovery of ancient texts in the 14th century, particularly in Italy, spurred the Renaissance, a humanistic revival that influenced art, literature, and learning across Europe.

The Reformation and the rise of Protestant churches are presented as further steps in diminishing the power of religious hierarchies and humanizing religion, though many core beliefs about divine punishment and salvation through adherence to the faith persisted.

Collins concludes that despite the spread of more compassionate interpretations of religion, a fundamental belief in the continued power of the 'one-god' entity from the 'close encounter' persists. She criticizes both the arrogance of those who believe in this single god and the atheists who deny it, suggesting that more than half the world's population has resisted the imposition of such a singular religious framework.

Mystery in Guatemala

Dr. Oscar R. Padilla L. presents a case of a mysterious monolith found in the jungles of Guatemala. A photograph taken in 1950 shows a huge stone head with fine features, a Caucasian aspect, and closed eyes, suggesting a sleeping person. The size of the head implies a potentially complete buried body, similar to discoveries on Easter Island. Dr. Padilla is seeking information about the statue's location to organize an expedition for further study.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the advanced, often inexplicable, knowledge and technology of ancient civilizations, particularly the Maya. The magazine consistently explores the 'ancient astronaut' hypothesis, suggesting extraterrestrial influence on human development. There's a strong emphasis on uncovering hidden histories and challenging conventional archaeological and historical interpretations. The articles promote the idea that ancient peoples possessed scientific and technological capabilities far beyond what is currently acknowledged by mainstream academia. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these mysteries, encouraging readers to question established narratives and consider alternative explanations for ancient achievements. The inclusion of religious history in Collins' article broadens the scope to include the potential extraterrestrial origins of religious beliefs, a common thread in ancient astronaut theories.