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Ancient Skies - Vol 17 No 5 - 1990
Ever wanted to host your own late-night paranormal radio show?
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You’re on the air. Callers bring Mothman, Fresno Nightcrawlers, UFO sightings, reptilian autopsies, and whispers about AATIP and Project Blue Book. Every reply shapes how the night goes.
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Title: ANCIENT SKIES Issue: Volume 17, Number 5 Date: November-December, 1990 Publisher: ANCIENT ASTRONAUT SOCIETY Country: USA Language: English
Magazine Overview
Title: ANCIENT SKIES
Issue: Volume 17, Number 5
Date: November-December, 1990
Publisher: ANCIENT ASTRONAUT SOCIETY
Country: USA
Language: English
This issue of ANCIENT SKIES delves into the intriguing possibility of 'ancient aquanauts' and their potential impact on early human civilizations. The magazine explores myths and legends from various cultures, suggesting that intelligent beings from aquatic environments, or even other star systems, may have played a role in human development.
The Search for Ancient Aquanauts
The lead article, "The Search for Ancient Aquanauts" by Harry Lebelson, examines ancient myths that could point to extraterrestrial intelligence (ETI) contact. It focuses on the Sumerian legend of Oannes, described as a fishlike being with human characteristics who visited ancient cultures for 1,500 years. Berossus, a Babylonian priest, documented Oannes's teachings, which included insights into letters, sciences, art, laws, and geometry, essentially humanizing mankind. Astronomer Carl Sagan is cited as supporting the idea that a major cultural change occurred with the advent of such beings.
The article also discusses theories by scientists and authors like Roger MacGowan and Frederick Ordway, who propose that intelligent life might be more prevalent in liquid environments like oceans, potentially developing superior intelligence and even tool-manipulating appendages. Dr. Dale Russell speculates that high intelligence could be a natural evolutionary outcome, even suggesting humans might have evolved from dinosaurs.
Robert Temple, author of "The Sirius Mystery," is featured for his exploration of myths concerning intelligent amphibious beings, the Nommos, who allegedly came from the Sirius star system to establish society on Earth. This ancient myth was passed down orally among the Dogon tribe in Mali, West Africa. Temple's research, alongside that of anthropologists Marcel Griaule and Germaine Dieterlen, highlights the Dogon's detailed knowledge of the Sirius star system, including Sirius B, and their comparison of celestial motions to blood circulation.
Zecharia Sitchin, in "The 12th Planet," is also mentioned for his analysis of ancient Sumerian texts, suggesting Earth was settled by 'nefilim' or 'eagle-men' from another planet, bringing civilization to Mesopotamia.
The article notes recurring patterns in UFO reports and mythology, such as the 1971 incident in France where a circular imprint with the letter 'H' (representing the Kanaga sign in Dogon mythology) was found. It also references Sir Alister Hardy's hypothesis that humans might be descended from an aquatic ape, and author Lyall Watson's suggestion that there is room for alternative explanations to evolution.
Genesis Seven
Len Farra's article, "Genesis Seven," explores the mystical significance of the number seven across various cultures and religions. Farra posits that the number seven has been a prominent element in ancient traditions, often linked to significant figures, events, and cosmic concepts. He suggests that the widespread obsession with this number may be connected to the arrival of advanced beings, referred to as 'elder brothers of mankind,' who visited Earth approximately 5,000 years ago, coinciding with the rise of early civilizations.
Other Features and Society News
A section describes a mysterious bronze and gold "plaque" owned by Marilynn Visser, which features an unrecognized script and a cross symbol. The plaque's dimensions and composition are detailed, and the owner and author welcome comments and ideas about its origin, with a note suggesting a similarity to markings near the Plain of Nazca in Peru.
Society news includes the cancellation of a member expedition to Turkey due to the Persian Gulf crisis and the arrangement of a new expedition to Germany for August 1991, culminating in the Berlin World Conference on August 23-24. The 20th Anniversary World Conference is announced for Las Vegas in August 1993.
Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance
The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the ancient astronaut hypothesis, the possibility of extraterrestrial influence on human civilization, and the interpretation of ancient myths and symbols as evidence of past contact. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these possibilities, presenting various theories and research findings from scholars and authors in the field, while acknowledging the speculative nature of some of the evidence.