Ancient Skies

Magazine Overview

Title: Ancient Skies
Issue: Volume 22, Number 4
Date: September-October, 1995
Publisher: Ancient Astronaut Society
Country: USA

This issue of "Ancient Skies" features an article by Michael A. Cremo titled "Forbidden Archeology: Evidence for Extreme Human Antiquity and the Ancient Astronaut Hypothesis." The magazine focuses on challenging conventional scientific views on human origins and antiquity, proposing that humans have a much longer history on Earth than currently accepted.

Forbidden Archeology: Evidence for Extreme Human Antiquity and the Ancient Astronaut Hypothesis

Michael A. Cremo's article argues that proponents of the ancient astronaut hypothesis often accept standard evolutionary accounts but suggest extraterrestrial intervention. However, Cremo's focus is on presenting evidence for extreme human antiquity that he believes is suppressed by mainstream science. He contends that a comprehensive review of archeological evidence indicates humans have been on Earth for hundreds of millions of years, not just the last 100,000 years as suggested by current theories.

Cremo cites the work of Richard Thompson and their book "Forbidden Archeology," which he states provoked outrage from mainstream archeologists. He quotes Walter J. Langbein, who described their work as opening locked doors in the museum of human history, revealing facts that contradict the accepted picture.

The Dorchester Vase

One of the primary examples presented is a metallic vase discovered in 1852, blasted out of solid rock in Dorchester, Massachusetts. The vase, about 4.5 inches high, was found in Roxbury Conglomerate, a rock formation geologically dated to over 600 million years old. The vase's intricate design suggests human manufacture, posing a significant challenge to the timeline of human evolution.

The Puranic Perspective and Cyclical Time

Cremo explains that his research was partly motivated by his study of ancient Sanskrit writings, particularly the Puranas. These texts describe human civilizations existing for hundreds of millions of years and suggest coexistence with humanoid creatures like the Vanaras, implying humans did not evolve from apelike ancestors. The Puranic concept of cyclical time, where history repeats itself, is presented as a framework that aligns with this evidence, similar to ideas proposed by classical Greek thinkers like Plato and Aristotle.

Predictions from the Puranic Model

Based on the Puranic model, Cremo makes two predictions about the archeological record:
1. A mixture of human fossils and artifacts of varying levels of advancement, spanning vast time periods.
2. Selective suppression of evidence by establishment scientists to fit a linear progression of evolution, with simpler forms appearing earlier and more complex ones later.

He asserts that the archeological record supports these predictions, with abundant evidence for extreme human antiquity being selectively ignored or discredited.

Knowledge Filtration and Suppression of Evidence

Cremo details how this "knowledge filtration" process operates. He argues that reports conforming to preconceived notions are preserved, while those that contradict them are dropped from scientific discourse. This is not impartial sifting but an unfair application of a double standard.

#### California Discoveries (Table Mountain)

In the 19th century, gold miners in California, particularly at Table Mountain in Tuolumne County, recovered human artifacts and skeletal remains from gravels covered by solid basalt. These gravels are dated by modern geologists to be between 33 and 55 million years old. Recovered items included obsidian spear points and stone mortars. Dr. J.D. Whitney, the state geologist of California, reported these findings. However, anthropologist William H. Holmes of the Smithsonian Institution used his influence to discredit Whitney's discoveries, arguing they contradicted the emerging theory of recent human evolution.

#### Hueyatlaco, Mexico Discoveries

In the 1970s, geologist Virginia Steen-McIntyre worked on dating an archeological site at Hueyatlaco, Mexico. Using four different dating methods, she and her colleagues obtained dates of over 250,000 years for advanced stone tools. This contradicted the standard view that humans did not enter North America until much later (around 25,000 years ago) and that anatomically modern humans only appeared about 100,000 years ago. Steen-McIntyre faced professional repercussions, including being labeled a publicity seeker and losing a teaching position, for her findings.

#### Laetoli Footprints and Castenedolo Skeletons

Cremo discusses the footprints found in volcanic ash deposits at Laetoli, Tanzania, dated to about 3.6 million years old. These footprints are described as indistinguishable from modern human footprints. While usually attributed to Australopithecus, Cremo notes that fossil foot bones of Australopithecus do not fit the Laetoli prints. He suggests an unknown apeman with humanlike feet might have made them, but emphasizes that only human beings could make such prints. He also points to human skeletal remains found at Castenedolo, Italy, in a Middle Pliocene formation (about 3-4 million years old), which were anatomically modern. These findings, along with others like the Kanapoi humerus (4-5 million years old) in Kenya, suggest a human presence millions of years ago.

#### Further Evidence from Europe and Asia

Cremo cites French anthropologist Gabriel de Mortillet, who reported a complete anatomically modern human skeleton from a Miocene formation in France (at least 5 million years old, possibly up to 25 million years old). He also mentions a skeleton from an Eocene formation in Switzerland (at least 38 million years old). Additionally, human artifacts of similar antiquity, such as stone tools, were found in Miocene formations in Portugal and France, and in a Miocene formation in Burma.

#### Macoupin County, Illinois Discovery

A human skeleton was reportedly found 90 feet deep in coal in Macoupin County, Illinois, dating from the Carboniferous period, approximately 300 million years old. The report appeared in "The Geologist" in December 1862.

#### Morrisonville, Illinois Gold Chain

In 1891, a gold chain was reportedly discovered inside a solid piece of coal in Morrisonville, Illinois. The coal was from the Carboniferous period, making it about 300 million years old.

#### Oklahoma Iron Pot

In 1912, an iron pot was found inside a chunk of coal in Thomas, Oklahoma. The coal was traced to the Wilburton Mine and dated by the Oklahoma Geological Survey to be about 312 million years old.

Cremo concludes that these numerous documented cases of extreme human antiquity are absent from current textbooks because they contradict the idea of a recent human origin. He suggests that extraterrestrial interventions should be considered within the context of a terrestrial human presence extending back millions of years, possibly with repetitive patterns in the course of cyclical time.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme in this issue is the challenge to established scientific paradigms regarding human origins and history. The magazine promotes the idea that mainstream science engages in "knowledge filtration" to suppress evidence that contradicts prevailing theories, particularly concerning the antiquity of humankind and the possibility of ancient extraterrestrial contact. The editorial stance is critical of the scientific establishment and advocates for a re-evaluation of archeological and anthropological evidence through alternative frameworks like the Puranic concept of cyclical time. The Ancient Astronaut Society, as the publisher, clearly aligns with the ancient astronaut hypothesis and the exploration of anomalous historical and archeological findings.

Events and Society News

• The issue also includes announcements for upcoming events:
• The UFO Experience Conference in North Haven, Connecticut (October 7-8, 1995).
• An Ancient Astronaut Society Member Expedition to Peru (May 14-June 1, 1996).
• The Ancient Astronaut Society World Conference in Orlando, Florida (August 3-8, 1997).

It congratulates Erich von Daniken and Ulrich Dopatka for organizing a successful World Conference in Bern, Switzerland. The issue also marks the 22nd Anniversary of the founding of the Ancient Astronaut Society in 1973, highlighting its mission as a tax-exempt, not-for-profit corporation for scientific, literary, and educational purposes.