Ancient Skies - Vol 19 No 1 - 1992

Magazine Overview

Title: ANCIENT SKIES
Issue: Volume 19, Number 1
Date: March-April, 1992
Publisher: Ancient Astronaut Society
Country: USA
Theme: This issue explores the historical roots of the ancient astronaut theory in Russia and delves into the archaeological mysteries of Tulum, Mexico.

Pioneers of the Ancient Astronaut Thesis in Russia

The lead article, by Andrew Tomas, introduces three Russian scientists who were early proponents of the ancient astronaut theory: Constantine Tsiolkovsky, Nicholas Rynin, and Jacob Perelman. Tsiolkovsky, a teacher and scientist, speculated on conditions in space and the potential for human expansion beyond Earth, famously stating, "This planet is the cradle of the human mind but one cannot spend a whole life in a cradle." His work on jet propulsion and dreams about inhabitants of other worlds laid groundwork for future speculation.

Nicholas Rynin, an engineer and professor, was deeply influenced by Tsiolkovsky and analyzed ancient legends of air and space ships from various civilizations. He critically examined works like Jules Verne's "From the Earth to the Moon" and was fascinated by Camille Flammarion's "The Multitude of Inhabited Worlds." Rynin amassed a significant library on mythology and tales of flight.

Jacob Perelman, an astronomer, authored "Interplanetary Voyages," incorporating Tsiolkovsky's ideas and compiling available scientific knowledge on space travel in 1915. The article notes that during the Czarist era, these pioneers faced no obstruction from the Imperial Academy of Science, though ideas bordering on science fiction were treated cautiously.

Following the October Socialist Revolution, these scientists received encouragement, and the Soviet regime in the 1920s and early 1930s tolerated speculation from them. Tsiolkovsky's "Will of the Universe" (1928) contains a passage suggesting the possibility of superior beings visiting Earth, alluding to "gods" and "angels" in sacred texts. Perelman, in a 1930 article, pondered whether extraterrestrial vehicles had visited other planets, even if not Earth, considering the vastness of prehistoric and future history.

The article details the fate of Rynin's library after the Revolution. An NKVD officer ordered his collection of books on astronomy, history, and mythology, which contained evidence of ancient astronauts, to be burned as "Foreign junk!" The State Public Library could only confirm having a list of his collection.

Dr. Hermann Oberth, a German rocket scientist and mentor to Wernher von Braun, wrote to Tsiolkovsky in the early 1930s, acknowledging his inspiration: "You have ignited a fire and we will not let it be extinguished and will try to realize the greatest dream of mankind – astronavigation."

In 1966, the author, Andrew Tomas, spoke with Dr. Oberth, who expressed his belief in intelligent life on many planets and theorized that "Vikings of Space" regularly visited Earth. Tomas also submitted his manuscript, "We Are Not the First," to a science historian who stated that while the facts were sound, interpretations were open to individual perspective.

Tulum: A Mayan Enigma

Gene M. Phillips contributes an article on the Mayan ruins of Tulum, located on the eastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. Spanish conquistador Juan de Grijalva is credited with the first European sighting of the site in the 16th century. Tulum, covering 16 acres within a limestone wall and protected by a high cliff, housed an estimated 600 people.

While occupied in Preclassic times, the current structures date from the Mayan Late Post-classical era (1400-1500 AD). Unlike larger sites like Tikal, Tulum's buildings are smaller, with four-foot high doorways. A distinctive feature is their "top-heavy" design, with walls slanting inwards and two parallel decorative moldings around the roof. This style is common in smaller Mayan ruins along the Quintana Roo coast.

An unusual element at Tulum is the "descending, or diving, god" figure found in a niche near the top of most buildings, sometimes called a "bee god." Phillips suggests this figure might represent an astronaut who landed in the area and was revered.

The most startling feature discussed is the Temple of the Frescoes. On the corners of the west facade, at the top of the ground floor, are stucco sculptures of human heads in deep relief. These figures wrap around the corners and are described as having features of a "white caucasian," not Mayan. The article questions why such figures were carved and who the models might have been.

John Lloyd Stephens visited Tulum in 1842 and noted the structures but did not mention these faces. Michel Peissel, who explored the area later, also did not mention them. The only written mention found is in Hunter's "A Guide to Ancient Mayan Ruins," which describes them as a "face mask." Phillips argues they are not masks but three-dimensional representations of real people, not indigenous to the region.

Phillips references several sources, including works by C. Bruce Hunter, John Lloyd Stephens, and Michel Peissel, as well as National Geographic magazines.

NASA Research Proposals

Dr. Stuart W. Greenwood, a Program Manager at the University Research Foundation, details his attempts to secure funding from NASA for studies on past extraterrestrial operations. Two proposals were submitted:

1. "Search for Evidence of Habitation on Venus" (October 1989): This proposal aimed to review data from the Magellan mission to assess the possibility of past habitation on Venus, studying its geologic history, surface changes, and atmosphere.
2. "Search for Evidence of Extraterrestrial Knowledge (SEEK)" (June 1991): This proposal focused on examining Mayan codices and other sources to compile data on Venus's visibility, the Mayan Sacred Calendar, and to interpret changes in Venus's conditions and the possibility of a larger planet as a source for the Asteroid Belt. It also proposed to study Colombian gold artifacts suggestive of winged landing craft.

Both proposals were evaluated through a peer review process but were ultimately unfavorably received. A NASA reviewer encouraged Greenwood to "Don't give up."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of Ancient Skies strongly advocates for the legitimacy of ancient astronaut theories, presenting historical figures and archaeological evidence to support the idea that extraterrestrial beings may have visited Earth in the past. The magazine highlights the scientific curiosity and pioneering spirit of early researchers in Russia and emphasizes the need for open-minded investigation into unexplained phenomena. The editorial stance is one of encouraging continued research and challenging conventional scientific explanations, particularly in light of intriguing archaeological finds like those at Tulum. The inclusion of NASA funding attempts suggests a desire for the ancient astronaut hypothesis to be taken more seriously within mainstream scientific circles.