Ancient Skies - Vol 15 No 6 - 1988-89

Magazine Overview

Title: ANCIENT SKIES
Issue: VOLUME 15, NUMBER 6
Date: JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 1989
Publisher: ANCIENT ASTRONAUT SOCIETY
Country: USA
Price: $3.00

This issue of Ancient Skies, the Official Logbook of the Ancient Astronaut Society, presents a collection of articles exploring controversial theories in archaeology and ancient history, focusing on evidence that challenges conventional explanations and suggests the influence of advanced ancient civilizations or extraterrestrial visitors.

The Great Elephant Controversy

By Gene M. Phillips, Founder of the Ancient Astronaut Society, this article tackles the perplexing issue of elephant-like carvings found at Maya sites, particularly Copan in Honduras. Phillips criticizes the conventional archaeological stance that dismisses such findings because elephants were not indigenous to Central America in ancient times. He argues that archaeologists often resort to convoluted explanations, preferring to believe that these carvings are something else (serpents, demons, foliage) rather than accept the possibility of advanced ancient cultures or external influences. The article highlights the Crystal Skull of Lubaantun, discovered in Belize by Anna Mitchell-Hedges, as another example. While Mitchell-Hedges suggested an Atlantean origin, mainstream archaeology dismissed this, proposing the skull was planted. Phillips questions how such a perfect anatomical model, carved from a single piece of crystal with a working jaw, could have been produced in 1927 without advanced technology or extraterrestrial assistance.

Phillips also touches upon Carl Sagan's explanation for the Dogons of Mali knowing about the Sirius star system, attributing it to missionaries, and questions how missionaries would have possessed such information centuries before modern astronomy. The article then details the arduous journey to Copan, describing the border crossing between Guatemala and Honduras, including fumigation procedures, and the basic accommodations available. It offers advice for future travelers, suggesting alternative routes and accommodations for visiting Copan and the nearby Quirigua ruins.

Returning to the elephant carvings, Phillips recounts the discovery of the Copan ruins by John Lloyd Stephens and Frederick Catherwood in 1839. Stephens noted that a stone carving, "Monument N" (later "Stela B"), featured elements resembling an elephant's trunk, an animal unknown in the region. This sparked a century-long controversy. The article references Sir Grafton Elliot Smith's 1927 conclusion that the controversy was settled by new evidence from Palenque, which he claimed unmistakably depicted elephants. Smith analyzed the "elephant stela" at Copan, noting features distinctive of Indian elephants and a rider, suggesting a connection to ancient art from Java, Indo-China, and Cambodia.

Phillips further discusses Dr. Alfred P. Maudslay's drawings and photos of Stela B from the late 19th century, which showed a turbanned figure and a mahout (elephant driver) that are now missing from the stela. He suggests that the deliberate removal or loss of these figures could be seen as an attempt to obscure evidence supporting the elephant connection, a tactic he implies might have been used by archaeologists to protect their established positions.

Pyramid Thoughts

By Edwin Briton, a retired engineer, this section explores the Great Pyramid of Giza. Briton, drawing on his experiences in Egypt from 1921-1926 and subsequent learning, focuses on the engineering and historical aspects of the pyramid. He challenges the conventional attribution of the Great Pyramid to Pharaoh Khufu (Cheops), citing the ancient Coptic tradition that attributes its construction to Pharaoh Surid around 1490 BC. Surid, according to this tradition, foresaw a solar system cataclysm and commissioned the pyramid to preserve the knowledge of his civilization for future inhabitants of Earth.

Briton details the immense engineering feat involved, from site selection and leveling to the quarrying and transportation of materials. He mentions the use of limestone from Ghizeh for the bulk of the structure and red granite from Assuan, transported hundreds of miles up the Nile. The construction of a massive causeway, estimated by Herodotus to be 3,000 feet long and 60 feet wide, is highlighted as a significant undertaking. Briton emphasizes the precision of the site leveling, with less than an inch of error over 13 acres. He also discusses the construction of internal passages and chambers, including the ascending passage and the Grand Gallery.

Briton posits that the pyramid's design was intended to withstand major geological disturbances and to serve as a repository of knowledge for future civilizations. He dismisses theories of ramps made of sand and mud brick as impractical. He also questions the short reign of Khufu (23 years) as insufficient for the pyramid's construction, suggesting that the prenomen painted on relieving blocks above the King's Chamber is not definitive proof of Khufu's role.

He further reflects on the existence of two pyramids at Giza, suggesting that if Surid built the first, the second (Kephren's) might have been an attempt by later rulers to duplicate the engineering marvel, though with less success. Briton concludes that these two pyramids represent a unique engineering achievement that will likely endure even after Earth becomes a desolate planet like Mars.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the questioning of established archaeological narratives, the presentation of alternative theories involving advanced ancient civilizations and extraterrestrial contact, and the highlighting of enigmatic artifacts and structures. The editorial stance, as represented by the articles and the society's focus, is one of skepticism towards conventional explanations and an openness to exploring unconventional hypotheses that suggest a more complex and technologically advanced past for humanity than is commonly accepted. The magazine aims to encourage readers to "Come Search With Us!" by examining evidence that challenges mainstream historical and archaeological dogma.