ANCIENT SKIES

Magazine Overview

Title: ANCIENT SKIES
Issue: VOLUME 25, NUMBER 6
Date: JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 1999
Publisher: Official Logbook of the Ancient Astronaut Society

This issue of "Ancient Skies" focuses on the "Member Expeditions" organized by the Ancient Astronaut Society, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the planning, execution, and challenges of these global journeys. The publication highlights the society's core mission: to seek physical evidence of extraterrestrial visitation and advanced ancient civilizations on Earth.

Member Expeditions: A Global Quest

Gene M. Phillips, Founder of the Society, details the extensive efforts involved in planning and leading expeditions to remote archaeological sites across every continent except Antarctica. The primary objective is to uncover proof of ancient astronauts and lost technological civilizations. Over the years, members have explored hundreds of archaeological zones and visited numerous museums and historical sites in 42 countries.

The expeditions have employed an astonishing variety of transportation methods, reflecting the diverse and often remote locations visited. These include everything from modern jets and propeller aircraft (like the venerable DC-3 and Cessna) to hot-air balloons, cruise ships, hydrofoils, rubber boats, felucas, dugout canoes, trains, cable cars, limousines, taxis, private cars, cattle trucks, public buses, jeeps, rickshaws, horses, camels, and elephants, alongside the ubiquitous "shank's mare" (walking).

Phillips recounts numerous incidents and difficulties encountered during these travels. Political upheaval, civil unrest, and terrorism have twice forced the cancellation of expeditions to central Turkey. Travel disruptions were common, such as being caught in a student riot in Guatemala, facing the threat of the Shining Path in Peru, and witnessing the lead-up to the Tiananmen Square massacre in Beijing, China.

Airline issues are a recurring theme, with examples including significant delays causing missed connections and the need to spend nights in transit. One particularly harrowing experience involved a flight from Miami to Peru that was repeatedly aborted, leading to an overnight stay at the terminal. Another incident saw a flight from Russia delayed for hours, causing a missed connection in Miami.

Hotel accommodations also presented challenges. In Egypt, a Nile River cruise group faced a shortage of rooms, forcing single men to share staterooms. Similarly, in remote locations, hotels were often basic, with one in Villahermosa, Mexico, described as a far cry from its Parisian namesake, and its swimming pool empty and unusable.

Humorous anecdotes are also shared, such as the discovery of chicken feet in box lunches in Guatemala and a member's insistence on having an egg for breakfast every morning, leading to an unexpected charge.

Specific Expedition Challenges and Near Misses

The article recounts specific instances that illustrate the unpredictable nature of these expeditions:

• Egypt (1979): A Nile River cruise was marred by extreme heat (120°F), melted cosmetics, and a room shortage. A subsequent flight to Cairo was delayed significantly due to pilots apparently taking a noon siesta, and the provided box lunches had spoiled.
• Guatemala (1978): A scheduled flight back from Tikal on New Year's Eve was initially denied by the dispatcher, who stated no such flight existed. However, after contacting the airline, a plane was sent, allowing the group to depart.
• Tibet (1998): A flight from Lhasa to Kathmandu was turned back due to fog, requiring a return to Lhasa and a subsequent wait for the weather to clear.
• Australia (1980): A private bus trip to aboriginal sites resulted in the radiator being ruptured by a stream crossing, causing a two-day delay for repairs.
• Peru (Nazca Lines): A flight over the Nazca markings was cut short due to dusk, and the pilot had to land using only the headlights of a car on the runway.
• Peru (1996): A "near miss" involved a plane from the same charter service used by the society colliding with another aircraft over the Nazca markings, resulting in fatalities.
• Health and Accidents: Several members suffered from altitude sickness in Bolivia, Peru, and Tibet, and "Montezuma's Revenge" was common in Mexico. An injury in Palenque, Mexico, required a visit to a local veterinarian for X-rays due to a suspected fracture.
• Greece (1987): A Mediterranean cruise involved a lesser-known ship with a predominantly non-English speaking crew, leading to a less-than-ideal experience.
• Turkey: Expeditions were twice cancelled due to the TWA plane hijacking in Athens and the Gulf War.
• Storm at Sea: A journey from Turkey to Mykonos was disrupted by a severe windstorm and high waves, preventing landing and causing widespread seasickness among passengers.
• Bingo Announcement: During the storm at sea, a confusing announcement turned out to be for a bingo game.
• Mexico (Yucatan): A bus trip from Merida to Villahermosa had a toilet that was unusable due to a lack of chemicals.
• Mexico (Oaxaca): A scenic but uncomfortable bus journey involved a dilapidated bus with luggage tied to the roof, driving through mountains during a thunderstorm with non-functional windshield wipers.

Appendix A: Principal Archaeological Sites Visited

The appendix lists a comprehensive array of archaeological sites visited by the society, spanning continents and ancient cultures. Notable locations include:

• Australia: Ayers Rock, Arnhem Land.
• South America: Tiahuanaco, Puma Punku (Bolivia); Tikal, Uaxactun (Guatemala); Copan (Honduras); Chan-Chan, Nazca, Machu Picchu (Peru).
• Egypt: Pyramids at Giza, Sphinx, Karnak, Valley of the Kings, Abu Simbel.
• Europe: Stonehenge (England); Parthenon, Delphi (Greece); Pompeii, Rome (Italy); Ephesus (Turkey).
• Asia: Xi'an, Great Wall (China); Varanasi (India); Jericho (Israel); Xi'an, Longmen Caves (China).
• Mexico: Teotihuacan, Palenque, Chichen Itza, Monte Alban, Tulum.

Appendix B: Other Notable Experiences

This section details additional significant experiences, including climbing Ayers Rock, viewing aboriginal rock paintings in Australia, visiting Sugar Loaf Mountain in Rio de Janeiro, walking the Great Wall of China, undertaking a challenging 4-wheel drive trip to Lhasa, Tibet, riding elephants in Jaipur, India, visiting the Dead Sea, and exploring sites like Venice, Capri, Malta, and Moscow.

Some Fond Memories of Our Member Expeditions

Doris L. Phillips, Secretary of the Society, shares personal reflections on the expeditions, focusing on her passions for music and animals.

• Music: She recalls profound musical experiences in Vienna, including hearing Bach's Toccata in St. Stephen's Cathedral and Mozart's Mass sung by the Vienna Boys' Choir. Visits to the Vienna Opera House, the tomb of great composers (Beethoven, Schubert, Brahms), attending Bizet's Carmen in Verona's Roman amphitheater, and exploring the Stradivari Museum in Cremona are highlighted. She also mentions experiencing Verdi's La Traviata sung in Russian in St. Petersburg and visiting the tombs of Russian composers.
• Animals: Phillips recounts an unforgettable experience in Kenya's Maasai Mara Game Reserve, being awakened by the roar of a lion. She also describes a rare and magnificent sighting of a tigress in Ranthambore, India.

Phillips concludes by expressing gratitude to all past and present members for their participation, camaraderie, and support, acknowledging the inevitable problems and discomforts encountered but emphasizing the shared quest for understanding humankind's past.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes the exploration of ancient mysteries and the search for evidence of extraterrestrial influence on human history. The editorial stance is one of active investigation and a belief in the possibility of advanced ancient civilizations and alien contact. The tone is adventurous, emphasizing the challenges and rewards of global travel for research purposes. The publication also highlights the importance of music and nature as enriching aspects of life, even amidst the primary focus on archaeological and historical inquiry.