Finnish UFOlogical Bulletin - 1994 Number 2

Magazine Overview

Title: FINNISH UFOLOGICAL BULLETIN
Issue: Vol. 2 No. 2/94
Date: February 1994
Editor: Kalevi Mikkonen
Publisher: Suomen Ufotutkijat ry (UFO Research of Finland)
Country: Finland

This issue of the Finnish Ufological Bulletin delves into the enigmatic site of Baalbek in Lebanon, exploring its massive ancient structures and the theories surrounding their construction, including the possibility of extraterrestrial involvement.

Baalbek - The Mystery of Lebanon

Introduction to Baalbek

The article, authored by Kalevi Mikkonen, introduces Baalbek, located 85 km northeast of Beirut, Lebanon, at an altitude of approximately 1150 meters. This site is described as one of the most spectacular and mysterious ancient remains in the world. The mystery is amplified by modern scholars who propose the 'ancient astronaut' theory, suggesting extraterrestrials might have constructed these massive pre-Roman structures and utilized them as a landing site for spacecraft.

The name 'Baalbek' is of Semitic origin, related to the Semitic God Baal, meaning 'Lord' or 'master'. Baal was a supreme god of the Canaanites, associated with rain, tempest, and thunder, and was approached through his son. The 'bek' part of the name signifies its location in the upper part of the Beqa'a valley, serving as a religious center, thus 'Baalbek' can mean 'Lord of the Beqa'a'.

Historical Context and Archaeological Evidence

Archaeological evidence for the site's origin is scarce. While the presence of Canaanites, Arameans, Assyrians, Neo-Babylonians, and Persians is known in the region, few traces are found in Baalbek itself. Excavations conducted before the Lebanese wars in the 1970s in the Great Court of the Temple of Jupiter revealed evidence of human life dating back to the early Bronze Age (2900-2300 B.C.). The most significant remains belong to the pre-Roman and Roman periods, extending up to the second century A.D.

The Roman presence is noted from 31 B.C. when Octavian, a triumvir and future emperor, chased Mark Antony and Cleopatra from Syria. Berytus (Beirut) became a Roman colony, which initially included Heliopolis (Baalbek). It was during this Roman period that the construction of the Roman Temples at Baalbek commenced.

The Mystery of the Temple of Jupiter

The Temple of Jupiter, during the reign of Emperor Nero (37-68 A.D.), was likely nearing completion after years of construction. Today, only six magnificent columns and a massive platform and podium remain. These remnants are considered among the most mysterious in the ancient world, particularly due to the immense scale of the construction involved.

The Massive Stones and the Trilithon

The article highlights the colossal size of the stones used in Baalbek's construction. The platform and podium are composed of three ranges of stones, with the middle blocks measuring four times their height and having a depth equal to their height. Each of these blocks has a volume of approximately 400 m³ and weighs about 1000 tons. This led to Baalbek being known for centuries as the site of the 'trilithon' (three stones), with many believing they were placed by superhuman giants.

These blocks are precisely shaped and fit perfectly. Proponents of the ancient astronaut theory, such as Modest Agrest and Zecharia Sitchin, interpret this as proof that the platform and podium were intended for purposes beyond a temple base, possibly as a landing site for spacecraft. They argue that ancient humans could not have handled such massive stones. Sitchin also points to ancient cuneiform tablets and local legends that suggest the place is extremely ancient and was meant for 'scaling the heavens'. The technical skill required to build the platform and podium is emphasized, noting that even with modern technology, lifting such blocks would require significant resources, like about 100 construction cranes.

Who Built the Platform and the Podium?

This question has long puzzled archaeologists. While an inscription on a column shaft indicates the Temple of Jupiter dates to Nero's reign, providing a reference date, the construction of the platform and podium remains debated. Some archaeologists suggest that a discarded column drum intended for the Temple of Jupiter, found in the foundation below the Trilithon, implies simultaneous construction. However, there are no Roman scriptures detailing the building of the platform and podium, which would have been a significant achievement for an emperor to boast about. This absence of records leads to speculation that the Romans might not have been the original builders, or that the column drum was repurposed as part of repairs, similar to practices in Egypt.

Quarrying and Transporting the Big Stones

Two quarries near Baalbek supplied the enormous stones. One, approximately 1 km long, is located at a higher level than the temples and about 500 meters southwest. This quarry provided the large blocks that were difficult to transport, with one massive stone, the 'Stone of the Pregnant Woman', still remaining. This stone is the world's biggest cut stone, originally intended for the Trilithon, measuring 21.72 meters long and with a cross-section of 4.80 by 4.80 meters, translating to a volume of about 500 m³ and a weight of 1200-1300 tons. It was never fully separated from its base.

The other quarry is situated in the middle of the plain, about 2 km north of the town, and remains largely unchanged since Roman times, offering insights into Roman quarrying techniques. The process of extracting these large stones involved cutting vertical grooves from the top down, wide enough for a worker. Metal picks were used on the natural rock, with blows up to 10 cm in length. After separating a block on its vertical side, a groove was cut along its outer base, and the block was felled using wedging action. Evidence of a quarrying machine, indicated by concentric circular blows larger than manual production, suggests the use of a cutting tool on an adjustable lever with swinging radii up to 4 meters.

Transporting these blocks, especially the Trilithon stones to their position about 8 meters above the platform, likely involved the ancient method of 'bury and re-excavate'. This technique, used by Egyptians, involves building an earth ramp to the previous layer of masonry, then pushing and pulling the block into place. Rollers were used under heavy loads, sometimes with a sleigh between the rollers and the weight to protect the stones. Many Egyptian and Mesopotamian records support this practice. Archaeologists generally believe that ancient builders did not necessarily require extraterrestrial assistance.

However, according to Sitchin and other ancient astronaut proponents, there are no indications of ramps or other transportation methods at Baalbek, nor clues about how the massive platform and podium were constructed. The debate continues, awaiting further excavations.

Visuals

The issue includes images of the Temple of Bacchus, described as a masterpiece of Roman architecture, and the six remaining columns of the Temple of Jupiter resting on a pre-Roman podium wall. Illustrations depict the south end of the Trilithon with three 1000-ton blocks and a massive single block from the stairway tower of the Temple of Bacchus. Other images show ancient methods of transporting large statues and sculptures, and an ancient coin from Byblos that Zecharia Sitchin suggests might illustrate a landing place for space vehicles.

New Book Release

The Finnish UFO Research (Suomen Ufotutkijat ry) has published a new book titled "Uforaportti 1" by Lasse Ahonen and Taplo Āyräväinen. This book compiles UFO-related observations reported to Finnish researchers in 1993 and includes articles on UFO cases and research. The book costs 125 mk plus postage and can be obtained from Suomen Ufotutkijat ry., PL 34, 24101 Salo, Finland.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme in this issue is the exploration of ancient mysteries through the lens of ufology and the ancient astronaut theory. The editorial stance appears to be one that entertains these alternative explanations for monumental constructions like Baalbek, while also acknowledging the archaeological perspectives and the ongoing debate. The publication of "Uforaportti 1" further reinforces the magazine's commitment to documenting and discussing UFO phenomena and related research.