Ancient Skies - Vol 25 No 3

Magazine Overview

Title: ANCIENT SKIES
Issue: Volume 25, Number 3
Date: July-August, 1998
Publisher: Ancient Astronaut Society
Country: USA
Theme: Exploration of ancient mysteries through the lens of the ancient astronaut hypothesis.

Petra: A City of Ancient Astronauts?

This article by Gene M. Phillips, President and Editor of Ancient Skies, details a 1978 expedition to Petra, Jordan. Phillips recounts receiving a letter from French author Robert Charroux, who intended to visit Petra and contribute an article, but sadly passed away before he could. Prompted by this, Phillips led an Ancient Astronaut Society expedition in 1982.

Petra, described as the 'red rose city, half as old as time,' has a long history, with evidence of human habitation predating recorded history. Its biblical origins are linked to Mount Seir, home of the Horites, and later the Edomites, descendants of Esau. The Nabateans, an Arab tribe, are credited with the city's fantastic stonework after driving out the Edomites. Petra flourished as a trade center under the Nabateans before being conquered by the Romans in A.D. 106. Roman influence is visible in its paved roads and architecture, including a colossal amphitheater carved from living rock.

After the Arabs conquered Petra in the 7th Century A.D., it was closed to the outside world for over a thousand years. Swiss traveler John Burckhardt rediscovered it in 1812, disguised as a Bedouin sheik. In 1836, John Lloyd Stephens became the first American to visit, also disguised.

The entrance to Petra is through 'El Siq,' a narrow defile winding through precipitous rock ranges. Phillips describes the dramatic reveal of El Khazna (The Treasury) as akin to a curtain opening to a futuristic world. The Treasury is a fully-formed, three-dimensional structure, not merely a bas-relief, with massive columns and rooms carved into the rock. Its facade features elaborate cameo carvings of gowned ladies and horsemen.

Phillips questions the ability of the Nabateans, a nomadic tribe, to produce such sophisticated works, suggesting they may have had assistance from a more advanced, unknown civilization or that a prior civilization was responsible. He notes that the Nabateans were credited because they appeared on the scene later.

The article also describes the Monastery (Ed Der), located atop a 1000-foot high stone range, requiring a strenuous climb. The Monastery is another massive structure carved from the rock, with a facade about 260 feet high and a doorway 50 feet high. Both the Treasury and the Monastery show evidence of water damage, leading Phillips to speculate that Petra's monuments might pre-date the biblical flood.

The Search Continues

Dr. Stuart W. Greenwood, a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering, addresses the perceived 'dearth of new ideas' in the ancient astronaut hypothesis. He likens research to a process of peaks and valleys, suggesting that current times might be in a 'valley.' Greenwood argues that the pursuit of truth requires taking stock and preparing for deeper analysis. He challenges critics who demand evidence of ancient visits by extraterrestrials, framing it within the broader context of scientific investigation of the remote past.

Greenwood questions the conventional evolutionary timeline, suggesting it has not been definitively proven. He believes disentangling mankind from the evolutionary maze is crucial for exploring alternative scenarios of human history. His belief is that the ancient astronaut hypothesis will gain acceptance not through single proofs, but through an accumulation of supportive interpretations that best account for available data.

He highlights the difficulty of visualizing events from millions of years ago and the challenge of distinguishing original messages from embellishments or conscious changes in ancient artifacts. He uses the example of Colombian gold objects, suggesting that features like 'vertical tail fins' might be part of a real message rather than mere stylization.

Greenwood also touches upon the SETI program, arguing that ancient astronaut studies should be granted similar leeway in searching for evidence as SETI operations, especially since SETI began without any initial evidence.

He reminisces about his teenage years in the 1930s, reading pulp magazines and following developments in rocketry. He notes that while the scientific community currently places extraterrestrial intelligence at stellar distances, he believes there will be increasing attention paid to the history of life and events on Earth's planets and moons.

The Dragon and the Pearl

This poetic piece by Dr. Stuart W. Greenwood explores ancient myths and their potential connection to ancient astronauts. It uses the imagery of a dragon and a pearl to represent geographical regions, possibly Asia, and suggests that these myths might hold clues to extraterrestrial visitation and observation of Earth.

Odd Objects from Below

Charles Pizzano, a retired warehouseman, presents a series of anomalous artifacts found deep underground, challenging the conventional understanding of human evolution. He cites several examples:

• 1891, Morrisonville, Illinois: A golden chain was found in a piece of coal from the Carboniferous era (estimated 300 million years old).
• 1897, Webster City, Iowa: A slab of rock with inscribed diamond shapes, each containing a carved face, was found 2000 feet below the surface.
• 1912, Wilburton, Oklahoma: An iron pot was discovered in a chunk of coal dated to 312 million years old.
• 1928, Heavener, Oklahoma: A wall of polished concrete blocks was found embedded in Carboniferous coal (285 million years old).
• 1968, Saint Jean de Livet, France: Rectangular metal tubes were found in a chalk layer dated to 65 million years old.

Pizzano argues that conventional scientists often ignore such discoveries. However, he posits that if even one of these artifacts is valid, it could necessitate a rewriting of the early history of humankind.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Ancient Skies are the exploration of ancient sites and artifacts through the lens of the ancient astronaut hypothesis, the questioning of conventional historical and evolutionary timelines, and the search for evidence of advanced ancient civilizations or extraterrestrial contact. The editorial stance, as reflected by the articles, is one of open inquiry, encouraging researchers to consider alternative explanations for historical mysteries and to pursue evidence wherever it may lead, even if it challenges established scientific paradigms. The magazine promotes the idea that a deeper understanding of Earth's past may involve looking beyond traditional narratives and embracing the possibility of ancient extraterrestrial influence.