Ancient Skies - Vol 17 No 4 - 1990

Magazine Overview

Title: ANCIENT SKIES
Issue: VOLUME 17, NUMBER 4
Date: SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER, 1990
Publisher: ANCIENT ASTRONAUT SOCIETY
Country: USA
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of Ancient Skies, the 100th issue of the publication, focuses on the Tapanui Explosion in New Zealand, which occurred in 1178 AD. The magazine is the official logbook of the Ancient Astronaut Society and is published bi-monthly.

New Zealand's Tapanui Explosion

Author: Dr. Jan Pajak

Dr. Jan Pajak's article details the Tapanui Explosion, an event in 1178 AD over the South Island of New Zealand, which he posits was caused by a malfunctioning extraterrestrial spacecraft. He draws parallels to the more widely known Tunguska Event of 1908 AD in Siberia. Pajak, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Otago, has extensively researched this phenomenon, culminating in his treatise "Tapanui Cataclysm An Explanation for the Mysterious Explosion in Otago, New Zealand, 1178 AD".

The Tunguska Explosion

Pajak briefly describes the Tunguska Event, noting that a cylindrical object exploded about 5 kilometers above ground, devastating over 500 square kilometers of taiga forest. The felled trees lay parallel, pointing towards the explosion's center, and the area formed a triangular pattern. He mentions the lack of hard evidence, the presence of 'trinitite' globules, mysterious illnesses, and eye-witness reports, but crucially, no crater.

The Tapanui Explosion

Until recently, the Tunguska Explosion was considered unique. However, Pajak discovered the "Tapanui Crater" in 1987, located in the Otago Province of New Zealand. This crater measures 900x600x130 meters and is accompanied by a triangular devastation area of about 350 kilometers, similar to Tunguska. The effects are still noticeable after over 810 years.

Pajak lists several pieces of evidence supporting his extraterrestrial hypothesis:

1. The Crater: A huge, near-ground explosion crater with a triangular shape at its shockwave entry points and an elliptical overall shape with its long axis declined westward, coinciding with the magnetic south-north direction in 1178.
2. Forest Destruction: Radial uprooting of forests with trees pointing towards the crater center, and a secondary layer of trees felled by a firestorm with tops pointing towards the crater.
3. Mass Extinction: Evidence of a mass extinction of Moa birds around 1178, dying in a conflagration.
4. Magnetization: The soil and rocks near the crater are unusually and turbulently magnetized.
5. Mineral Deposits: The spread of unusual ceramic stones called "china stones" and a rare mineral called "trinitite" radiating from the crater. China stones are described as aerodynamically shaped, baked, and glazed materials blasted from the crater.
6. Gold Deposits: The distribution of near-surface gold deposits in the South Island is concentrically located around the Tapanui Crater, suggesting a link to shockwave uplift.
7. Maori Names and Legends: Maori names in the vicinity frequently contain syntax components related to explosions, fire, spacecraft, and cosmic entities. Legends describe a horn-shaped, glowing object descending and exploding at the Tapanui site, with one tribe's legend mentioning a westward flight path.

Pajak contrasts his findings with the conventional explanation of a landslip or erosion for the crater. He notes that his theoretical work on a magnetically propelled vehicle, the "Magnocraft," predicted a unique destruction pattern that matches the Tapanui site, even before he was aware of the crater.

Historical Records and Interpretations

Brother Gervase's Record: A historical record from June 18, 1178, by Brother Gervase, a Chronicler at Canterbury Cathedral, describes a phenomenon witnessed on the moon. Monks observed the moon's horns splitting, a flaming torch erupting, and the moon appearing to writhe and turn blackish. Pajak interprets this as a reflection of the Tapanui explosion's shockwaves and dust interacting with the atmosphere and reflecting off the moon.

Dr. Jack B. Hartung's Interpretation: An alternative interpretation by Dr. Jack B. Hartung suggested the monks witnessed a meteorite impacting the moon. However, Pajak refutes this, citing inconsistencies such as the moon's observed motion, the impossibility of seeing a black-side impact, and the difficulty of explaining multiple sequential explosions with a single meteorite.

Factors for Investigators

Pajak suggests that similar extraterrestrial vehicle crash sites may exist and provides factors for potential investigators to look for:

• Local legends and eye-witness accounts of a "bird of fire."
• Grasslands and steppes in areas where forests would normally grow.
• A radial spread of minerals like china stones and trinitites.
• Unusual atmospheric phenomena associated with magnetic anomalies.
• Uplift of gold and other heavy minerals.
• A huge crater, sometimes with a meridian axis orientation and nestled craters.

One Hundred Issues of Ancient Skies

Author: Gene M. Phillips, Founder of the Society

Gene M. Phillips, founder of the Ancient Astronaut Society, reflects on the publication of the 100th issue of Ancient Skies. He notes that the magazine has been published bi-monthly without interruption since 1974, a significant achievement. Phillips explains the society's decision to publish a more modest logbook, "Ancient Skies," rather than a quarterly journal due to the extensive work and cost involved. The title "Ancient Skies" was suggested by his son, Gregory. The magazine has consistently presented a high standard of material and is now received in 87 countries.

Philosophical and Scientific Musings

Phillips expresses his delight with Erich von Daniken's article on animal mutations in Ancient Egypt. He then delves into philosophical and scientific observations, referencing fragments from Empedocles and Aristotle concerning hybrid creatures and self-sufficient beings, drawing parallels to contemporary gene-splicing and ancient myths like the Minotaur.

Organization Information

Ancient Skies is published by the Ancient Astronaut Society, located at 1921 St. Johns Ave., Highland Park, Illinois 60035-3105 USA. The society, founded in 1973, is a tax-exempt, not-for-profit corporation dedicated to scientific, literary, and educational purposes.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the investigation of unexplained aerial phenomena and their potential extraterrestrial origins, specifically focusing on historical events like the Tapanui and Tunguska explosions. The editorial stance, as represented by Dr. Jan Pajak's article and the society's mission, is to explore these phenomena using scientific analysis, historical records, and indigenous legends, challenging conventional explanations and advocating for an open-minded approach to investigating anomalous events. The publication also touches upon the intersection of ancient philosophy and modern science, suggesting a continuity of inquiry into fundamental questions about existence and origins.