Ancient Skies - Vol 16 No 2 - 1989-90

Magazine Overview

Title: ANCIENT SKIES
Issue: Volume 16, Number 2
Date: May-June, 1989
Publisher: ANCIENT ASTRONAUT SOCIETY
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of ANCIENT SKIES is dedicated to the memory of W. Raymond Drake, a pioneer in the ancient astronaut field who passed away on April 1, 1989. The magazine features his article "GODS OR SPACEMEN?" as its lead piece.

Gods or Spacemen?

By W. Raymond Drake

Drake's article argues that ancient legends and myths evoke a "Golden Age" when humanity communed with divine teachers from space. He contends that modern "sophisticates" are conditioned to believe in human evolutionary superiority and ignore the "age-old evidence of spacemen" that surrounds us. He criticizes the fragmentation of knowledge in specialized fields, contrasting it with the "centrifugal approach" of the ancients who understood the "grand design of the universe."

Drake suggests that the "fear of ridicule" prevents scientists from acknowledging potential alien visitors. He proposes that primitive peoples might be descendants of great civilizations rather than degenerate ones. He points to limited physical evidence like fossils and petroglyphs, but emphasizes that catastrophic events destroyed most written records and memories, which became confused into folk tales.

He references the destruction of the great library at Alexandria and the burning of Mayan records by Bishop Diego de Landa as examples of lost knowledge. Drake also discusses theories about prehistory from figures like James Churchward and Ignatius Donnelly, and the possibility of advanced beings visiting Earth.

He advances the theory that planets in our solar system were once closer to Earth, contributing to giantism in early life. He notes that the ancients believed in twelve planets, while modern astronomy identifies nine. Drake draws parallels between ancient myths and potential extraterrestrial interventions, suggesting that legends of giants and cosmic events might be distorted memories of actual occurrences.

He reinterprets biblical accounts, such as Abraham's ordeal and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, as evidence of advanced technology, possibly nuclear power or spaceships. He highlights the "winged globes or fiery wheels" described as Cherubim as potential spacecraft.

Drake concludes that accumulated traditions worldwide, when viewed through the lens of ancient astronaut theories, reveal a consistent story of spacemen visiting Earth. This revelation, he believes, imbues religious dogmas with new life and suggests humanity is not alone, but part of a larger cosmic community.

The "Stone Age" in Checkmate

By Carl P. Munck

Carl P. Munck, an archaeometrologist, presents a case for mathematics as a universal language that the ancients used to encode scientific knowledge in their structures. He argues that we have wrongly relegated ancient peoples to a "stone age" of ignorance.

Munck highlights geodetical constants, such as the Earth's equatorial radius (3,963.205 statute miles), and mathematical constants like the square root of pi (1.772453851). He demonstrates a connection between Stonehenge and the Giza pyramids, stating that the surface distance between them is 2,236.0682 statute miles, with a negligible difference of 360 feet. He also notes that the hypotenuse of the Great Pyramid is 1,069 feet.

He suggests that the ancients understood and utilized these constants, arranging their structures to preserve their scientific achievements. Munck questions whether our modern measurements are more accurate than those of the ancients, implying that their knowledge might have been superior in certain aspects.

Chac-Mool

This section discusses the stone sculptures known as "Chac-Mool" found in the Mayan area of Yucatan, Mexico. The figures, which depict a reclining individual holding a disk, are compared to the main figure on the sarcophagus cover at Palenque, described by Erich von Däniken as an astronaut in a spacecraft.

Archaeologists like Sylvanus G. Morley found numerous Chac-Mool statues. While some interpret the disk as a place for offerings, the article suggests a resemblance to a modern-day astronaut with an instrument box. The author speculates that these sculptures might be memories of ancient astronauts.

Ark-ologist to Speak at Chicago Conference

David Fasold, an explorer and co-discoverer of Noah's Ark, is scheduled to present a slide lecture at the Ancient Astronaut Society's 16th Anniversary World Conference in Chicago in August 1989. Fasold has conducted expeditions to the alleged site of Noah's Ark in Turkey and has published his findings in "The Ark of Noah."

More on the Stone Gears at Chichén Itzá

This piece examines the meshing stone gears found at the archaeological site of Chichén Itzá. The author notes that the smaller gear has 10 teeth and the larger gear appears to have 16 teeth. The article suggests a connection to Venus symbolism, as the ratio of the gears' rotation (1.6) closely approximates the ratio of the synodic period of Venus to the sidereal period of Earth (1.599).

Upon closer inspection, the larger gear is described as square with 4 teeth on each side. When the smaller circular gear rotates around the square, it rotates 2.6 times during one complete trip around the square. This figure (2.6) is noted as being close to the ratio of the synodic period of Venus (583.92 days) to the sidereal period of Venus (224.7 days), which is 2.599.

The author acknowledges that these connections might be coincidental and welcomes comments from readers.

Ancient Astronaut Society Conference Announcement

The Ancient Astronaut Society announces its 16th Anniversary World Conference to be held from August 25-27, 1989, at the Schaumburg Marriott Hotel in Schaumburg, Illinois. The conference will feature lectures and slide presentations by prominent figures in the ancient astronaut field, including Erich von Däniken, Zecharia Sitchin, Vincent DiPietro, Gregory Molenaar, and David Fasold, among others.

The program includes a Tent Reception on Friday evening and a Gala Banquet on Saturday evening. Registration fees and accommodation details are provided. United Airlines is designated as the Official Airline, offering discounted fares for attendees.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of ANCIENT SKIES revolve around the interpretation of ancient myths, legends, and archaeological evidence as proof of extraterrestrial visitation in Earth's past. The magazine strongly advocates for the "ancient astronaut" hypothesis, challenging conventional scientific and historical views. There is a consistent emphasis on re-examining ancient texts, structures, and folklore through this alternative lens, suggesting that humanity's origins and history are far more complex and possibly influenced by advanced non-human intelligence. The editorial stance is one of promoting critical re-evaluation of established paradigms and encouraging readers to consider unconventional explanations for historical mysteries.