ANCIENT SKIES

Magazine Overview

Title: ANCIENT SKIES
Issue: Volume 18, Number 2
Date: May-June, 1991
Publisher: ANCIENT ASTRONAUT SOCIETY
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of ANCIENT SKIES delves into two primary areas of interest for ancient astronaut theorists: the enigmatic perforated slab found at Palenque, Mexico, and pre-Columbian artifacts from Colombia that bear a striking resemblance to modern aircraft.

Palenque's Perforated Slab

The lead article, "PALENQUE'S PERFORATED SLAB" by Gene M. Phillips, details the significant archaeological discovery made by Alberto Ruz Lhuillier at the Temple of the Inscriptions in Palenque, Mexico. In 1949, Ruz Lhuillier, appointed Director of archaeological exploration, began work on the temple, which was known for its hieroglyph-covered stone slabs.

After clearing the mound and excavating a 80-foot stairway, Ruz discovered a floor made of large flagstones. One flagstone, in particular, attracted attention due to its inscribed circles, each about 5 inches in diameter, arranged in a deliberate pattern. Inside each circle were two small holes. Ruz found that these holes were connected by a minute passageway and that by using the holes, he could remove stone plugs. He discovered that the slab itself was a one-ton stone plug that could be lifted and slid aside.

Initially, Ruz found only stone rubble beneath the slab, but he soon realized that this was a deliberate concealment. The removal of the rubble led to the discovery of a hidden stone stairway. Over three more seasons of digging, the stairway was cleared, revealing a tomb 80 feet below the floor level. The tomb contained a large sarcophagus covered by a 5-ton stone slab, measuring 13 x 7 feet. The relief carving on the sarcophagus cover has been interpreted in various ways, including a Mayan sacrifice, King Pacal in a mythological monster's jaws, and, as the authors prefer, an astronaut in a space capsule.

The article speculates on the purpose of the perforated slab, concluding that it was likely used to seal the tomb entranceway after the sarcophagus was placed inside. The intricate design of the cavities and plugs suggests a method known only to priests or scientists, intended to protect the tomb's contents. The builders of Palenque, it is suggested, expended considerable effort to create this elaborate mechanism, possibly to protect a "national treasure" or due to knowledge of an impending disaster, such as an astronomical catastrophe.

The author emphasizes that the perforated slab is a unique example of a highly-developed, technological civilization, whose accomplishments are often erroneously attributed to societies with only crude tools.

Pre-Columbian Landing Craft?

Another article, "PRE-COLUMBIAN LANDING CRAFT?" by Dr. Stuart W. Greenwood, explores the interpretation of certain pre-Columbian gold artifacts from Colombia. These artifacts, dated to approximately 1,000 years old, are described as suggestive of modern high-speed aircraft.

Dr. Greenwood discusses the work of Ivan T. Sanderson, who considered these objects to be high-speed aircraft rather than living creatures. The artifacts feature delta wings with drooping tips, a vertical fin, and a pronounced gap behind the 'head' which could have been a canopy. Some also have a protuberance beneath the head, possibly an air scoop, and a bump on top. Engineers have noted that the body shape does not conform to the 'coke bottle' distribution necessary for high-speed aircraft to avoid air drag.

Alternative interpretations include a glider or a vehicle that entered and left Earth's atmosphere in support of a larger space vehicle. The author notes the similarity to the space shuttle concept. He mentions that these artifacts coincided with his developing interest in such matters in the early 1970s.

Greenwood details his search for further examples of these artifacts, citing works by Allen Wardwell and Jose Perez de Barradas. He identified 18 separate specimens in museums and private collections. He also references an Alan Landsburg television production, "In Search of Ancient Mysteries," which featured similar objects.

The article presents several figures illustrating these artifacts, including replicas from the Gold Museum in Bogota and the Smithsonian Institution. One artifact is described as a "winged crocodile," highlighting the interpretive challenges faced by anthropologists.

Greenwood concludes by suggesting that the blunt-nose characteristic evident on the artifacts is required on a spacecraft entering Earth's atmosphere to reduce heat transfer. He poses questions about whether these supply vehicles from space landed in Northern South America in pre-Columbian times, when they came, who and what they brought, and what happened afterward.

Conference Announcements and Society Information

The issue also includes announcements for upcoming conferences, including the MUFON 1991 International UFO Symposium in Chicago, the Ancient Astronaut Society World Conference in Berlin, and other UFO-related events. It also provides contact information for the Ancient Astronaut Society, its address, and a brief description of its mission as a tax-exempt, not-for-profit corporation founded in 1973.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the exploration of ancient mysteries, the interpretation of archaeological finds through the lens of ancient astronaut theory, and the presentation of evidence that challenges conventional historical narratives. The editorial stance, as suggested by the content and the society's name, is to investigate and promote the idea that advanced extraterrestrial civilizations may have influenced ancient human societies, as evidenced by sophisticated artifacts and structures like the Palenque slab and the Colombian gold objects.