ANCIENT SKIES

Magazine Overview

Title: ANCIENT SKIES
Issue: Volume 18, Number 6
Date: January-February, 1992
Publisher: ANCIENT ASTRONAUT SOCIETY
Country: USA
Theme: UFOs, Ancient Astronauts, Archaeology, Mythology

This issue of Ancient Skies delves into various enigmatic aspects of ancient history and potential extraterrestrial involvement, featuring articles on the Nazca Lines of Peru, ancient astronauts in Iceland, the Antikythera Computer, and a speculative look at Mars.

Some Thoughts on the Nazca Lines of Peru

Paul Bartch presents six hypotheses for the purpose of the Nazca Lines in Peru. These geoglyphs, located about 25 miles inland from the Pacific coast and 2500 feet above sea level, are described as having straight narrow lines (possibly for orientation) and wider lines potentially used as landing strips. The hypotheses include:

• I. Kinship Hypothesis: Lines used for pathways, irrigation, agriculture, rituals, shrines, and territorial rights, connecting important points related to water flow and geographical features.
• II. Cultural Hypothesis: The Nazca culture (A.D. 1-700) flourished in the region, with Cahuachi serving as a non-urban cultural complex and sacred site for priests and pilgrims. Many mounds at Cahuachi face the main pampa, and some lines point directly to it.
• III. Astronomical Hypothesis: While difficult to prove, some line centers might have astronomical implications, possibly aligned with sunrise positions on solar zenith passages, coinciding with water arrival.
• IV. Radiality Hypothesis: Many lines originate from radial line centers, branching out or leading to other centers, rivers, dry tributaries, mountain peaks, or geometrical figures. At least 62 line centers fit this characterization.
• V. Radial Line Azimuths Hypothesis: A preference for north and NE azimuths is observed, with an avoidance of SW and SE directions. There is evidence of interest in upstream-downstream axis related to local water-flow direction.
• VI. Solar Colonization or Exile Hypothesis: This hypothesis, related to Zecharia Sitchin's 'The 12th Planet,' suggests that exiles from a highly developed star system may have landed on a hypothetical planet X in our solar system and developed primitive, rocket-propelled, bird-like flights to other planets with more water. The Nazca Lines are seen as alternative glide paths to landing strips.

Bartch also highlights the 'Needle and Thread' geoglyph as potentially symbolizing the double spiral arms of the galaxy and a precarious weaving route for exiles.

Ancient Astronauts in Iceland?

Preben Hansson explores the possibility of ancient astronaut connections in Iceland, drawing parallels between the island's myths and ancient astronaut theories. Icelandic myths speak of flying gods (Odin, Thor, Frey) and a place called Bifrost, described as a fiery, trembling road or launch site from which gods flew to Asgaard. Hansson notes the presence of a paganistic religion that still exists and mentions a bronze statuette, possibly representing Thor, excavated near Eyjafjord, which he speculates could be a depiction of a pilot with controls.

The Antikythera Computer and the Canary Islands

Gene M. Phillips discusses the Antikythera Computer, a complex mechanical device discovered in a shipwreck off the coast of Greece in 1900. Dating to the first century B.C. (82-65 B.C.), this apparatus, part of an astronomic calendar or planetarium, baffles modern science due to its sophistication and lack of mention in classical texts. Phillips draws a parallel between the computer's design and the Guanche constructions on the Canary Islands, suggesting a possible connection to a highly developed civilization that may have flourished on Atlantis.

A Martian Stonehenge?

Maurice Chatelain proposes that features on Mars are artificial monuments, possibly part of an astronomical observatory similar to Stonehenge. By measuring distances and angles on Viking photos, he calculated Mars' polar circumference and found it to be in an 8:15 ratio with Earth's, similar to the ratio of a Babylonian cubit to a meter. Chatelain identifies six key sites on Mars, including a large face and a triangle, and calculates distances between them, suggesting alignments with solar solstices. He also notes the red clay at the Viking landing site in Utopia, similar to deep ocean clay on Earth, suggesting Mars may have once had oceans. He concludes that intelligent beings likely lived on Mars and may have landed on Earth thousands of years ago.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue strongly supports the ancient astronaut theory, presenting speculative interpretations of ancient artifacts, myths, and geographical features as evidence of extraterrestrial influence or advanced ancient civilizations. The articles encourage readers to consider alternative explanations for historical mysteries and promote the ongoing research and conferences organized by the Ancient Astronaut Society.