Ancient Skies - Vol 15 No 3 - 1988-89

Magazine Overview

Title: ANCIENT SKIES
Issue: Volume 15, Number 3
Date: July-August, 1988
Publisher: Ancient Astronaut Society
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of Ancient Skies, the official logbook of the Ancient Astronaut Society, presents a compelling argument for the existence of advanced technology within the ancient Mayan civilization, challenging conventional archaeological interpretations. The lead article, "EVIDENCE OF TECHNOLOGY IN MAYALAND" by Gene M. Phillips, the Society's founder, delves into several key findings that suggest a level of sophistication beyond what mainstream archaeology acknowledges.

Evidence of Technology in Mayaland

Gene M. Phillips begins by criticizing archaeologists for their tendency to categorize all ancient findings as religious, sexual, or related to basic survival needs, thereby imposing narrow interpretations. He argues that this approach overlooks potential technological advancements.

Phillips points to the Mayan road system, described as "causeways," spanning hundreds of miles, including a 15-foot wide, 10-mile stretch between Uxmal and Kabah, and a 62-mile link between Coba and Yaxund. He questions how such extensive roads could exist without the development of the wheel for transportation, noting that while the Mayans may have known the concept of the wheel (evidenced by small animal figures with wheels found in the Aztec world), they apparently did not adapt it for practical use. He suggests that the Mayans might have understood the concept of the wheel but not the axle, despite the presence of round stone "altars" with holes that could accommodate an axle.

Further evidence is presented through stone carvings that appear to depict gears. At Copan, three-dimensional representations of gears were observed. More significantly, at Chichén Itzá, the facade of the Iglesia (church/temple) features bas-reliefs showing meshing gears, including smaller "cog-wheels" with teeth and a central hole. Phillips compares these to modern illustrations of gears, highlighting the uncanny similarity. When questioned, guides often attribute these figures to celestial bodies like the Sun and Moon, or to flowers, a response Phillips finds dismissive.

Novelist John D. MacDonald is cited as having independently interpreted these same reliefs as meshing cog-wheels, a conclusion he shared with an anthropologist who dismissed the idea as "nonsense."

Phillips then examines the "ball court" at Chichén Itzá, which is described as unusually large, with parallel vertical stone walls 450 feet long. Unlike typical Mayan ball courts, this one has low, gradual inclines at the base and large stone "goals" near the top. A low-relief carving on the lower portion of the wall, typically interpreted by archaeologists as depicting ball players carrying a severed head, is reinterpreted by Phillips. Considering modern technology, he suggests the figures could represent astronauts in pressurized suits, with headgear, weighted shoes, and equipment boxes attached by cables. In this interpretation, the "ball court" becomes a lift-off site, and the stone goals serve as mooring points.

Other structures at Chichén Itzá are also discussed. The Venus Platform features reliefs that Phillips believes are not Mayan or Toltec but appear European. One relief shows a helmeted Caucasian person with goggles, lying down and peering outward, holding what looks like a large gun. Another shows the entire person, fully clothed, with goggles and helmet, suggesting they were in a craft.

The Observatory, known as "El Caracol" (The Snail), is acknowledged by archaeologists as being used for astronomical purposes. Stone heads found nearby have concave depressions that may have held oil for illumination. Phillips notes that one such head (Figure 7) has distinctly non-Indian features: a sharp chin, thin lips, straight nose, deep-set eyes, and a straight brow, along with an unusual head-dress or helmet.

Phillips then shifts focus to Tikal, a major Mayan ceremonial center. He describes a life-size stela housed in the Tikal museum, which, despite damage, clearly depicts an elaborately clothed person with heavy shoes, similar to modern astronauts. Uniquely, the stela shows a flexible hose originating from the chest area and continuing to the side, ending in a sac or canister. Phillips compares this to an illustration of a gas mask from the 1953 Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary, suggesting the Mayan sculptor intended to depict a breathing apparatus. He posits that the person either came from a polluted environment or an atmosphere with different air gases.

Society News and Events

Mars Face Research Presentation

Vincent DiPietro and Gregory Molenaar are scheduled to present a slide lecture on their research concerning the "Mars Face" at the Ancient Astronaut Society's 16th Anniversary World Conference in the Chicago area from August 25-27, 1989. Their book, "Unusual Mars Surface Features," is mentioned as available from Mars Research.

Conference Details

The conference will be held at the Schaumburg Marriott Hotel near Chicago. Admission is US$15 per day for members and US$20 for non-members. A Gala Banquet is scheduled for Saturday evening, August 26, at US$35 per person. Special hotel room rates of US$59 per night are available for attendees. United Airlines is the designated official air carrier, offering discounted fares for those flying to Chicago on specific dates.

Member Expedition to China and Tibet

There is still time to join the Society's Member Expedition to China and Tibet, departing Chicago on April 19, 1989. The China Tour costs US$2,995 per person (double occupancy) and includes airfare, hotels, ground transportation, entrance fees, and most meals. The tour returns on May 3, 1989. An optional extension to Tibet is available for an additional US$1,195 per person.

Publication Information

Ancient Skies is published bi-monthly by the Ancient Astronaut Society, located at 1921 St. Johns Ave., Highland Park, Illinois 60035-3105. The Society, founded in 1973, is a tax-exempt, not-for-profit corporation.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the promotion of alternative interpretations of ancient history, particularly concerning the Mayan civilization. The Ancient Astronaut Society actively challenges mainstream archaeological consensus, suggesting that ancient cultures possessed advanced technologies and knowledge that are often dismissed or misinterpreted by conventional scholars. The editorial stance is one of advocating for a broader, more open-minded approach to studying the past, one that considers the possibility of extraterrestrial influence or highly advanced indigenous capabilities. The Society positions itself as a source of information and a platform for presenting evidence that supports these unconventional theories, as evidenced by its conferences, expeditions, and publications like Ancient Skies.