Serie C brev nr 4

Magazine Overview

This issue of BREVCIRKELN., Serie C, Brev Nr 4, published in 1952, is titled 'RIKET SOM FÖRSVANN' (The Kingdom That Vanished). It explores ancient civilizations, particularly in South America, and their potential connections to the lost continent of Atlantis.

Tiahuanaco: The Ancient City

The article begins by describing the ancient city of Tiahuanaco, located at an altitude of 4000 meters above sea level, south of Lake Titicaca. The ruins consist of stone blocks, sculpted pillars, and wall fragments spread over nearly half a square kilometer. The most famous structure is the monolithic Sun Gate, made from a 200-ton stone block, estimated to be at least 13,000 years old. A crack in the lintel of the Sun Gate suggests it may have been struck by a severe earthquake. Russian scientist Alexander Kazantsev theorized that both Tiahuanaco and Lake Titicaca were lifted to their current height by a natural catastrophe, citing evidence of ancient shorelines and marine flora in the lake, suggesting it was once part of the sea. Kazantsev also proposed that Tiahuanaco was once a lakeside city, and it would have been an immense feat to transport such large stones to such a high altitude.

Cuzco: The City of Stones

Approximately 50 miles northwest of Tiahuanaco lies Cuzco, another significant city with major constructions made of andesite stone. The nearest quarries are 15 and 35 kilometers away. Cuzco features a 540-meter long defensive wall, averaging 18 meters in height, with some stones weighing around 200 tons. The city is also known for its famous twelve-sided stone, which raises questions about the builders' capabilities. The irregular, interlocking shapes of the stones are highlighted as a mystery, with their precise fitting making it almost impossible to insert a thin blade into the cracks. The article suggests this unique building style, using irregularly shaped stones, might have been a method to protect the structures against earthquakes, unlike the square stones used in Egypt.

Ancient Engineering and Mysteries

Spanish conquistadors were awestruck by these constructions, but the indigenous people offered no explanation. Monks attributed the work to the devil. The transport and erection of these massive stones present a problem similar to that of the Egyptian pyramids. The text speculates on how the stones were shaped, suggesting it was not done with stone axes or files, but rather by a method that made them soft, like cheese. The possibility of a 'natural method' for softening stone, unknown to modern science, is raised.

P.H. Fawcett and the Lost City

The article then shifts to the story of British artillery officer P.H. Fawcett, who disappeared in the Matto Grosso region of Brazil while searching for a lost city inhabited by a lost civilization of white Indians. Despite extensive expeditions, Fawcett was never found, and his disappearance remains a mystery. His son, Brian Fawcett, compiled his father's notes, which included a possible explanation for how ancient Peruvians could shape stone as if it were cheese.

The Bird's Nest and Stone Shaping

Fawcett heard a legend about a bird, resembling a kingfisher, that built its nests in round holes on the cliffs of the Andes between Peru and Bolivia. These holes, found even in granite cliffs, were reportedly made by the birds themselves. A man who had spent 25 years in the forests explained that the birds would rub leaves in circles on the rock, gradually creating a round hole large enough for their nests. This anecdote is presented as a potential clue to the ancient stone-shaping methods.

The 'Natural Method' of Stone Softening

Fawcett's nephew, who had spent time in the Chuncho region near the Pyrene River in Peru, experienced a similar phenomenon. His horse's spurs were severely worn down after passing through an area with short, dark-red-leafed plants. The owner of a nearby chacra (farm) explained that these plants, when used by the Incas, could soften stone, making it pliable like dough. This 'natural method' is presented as a possible explanation for the precise fitting of the massive stones in Inca constructions.

Inca Road Network and Communication

The Inca civilization also possessed an advanced road network, spanning up to 2500-3000 km. These roads, 6-8 meters wide, were often paved with stones bound by asphalt-like material. They traversed mountains, valleys, cliffs, and rivers, featuring impressive suspension bridges and stone bridges. Along these routes, 'inns' or rest stops were located, supporting a highly developed postal system with relay runners who could cover several hundred kilometers per day.

Origins and Connections to Atlantis

The article posits that the memories of these ancient civilizations are attributed to the Inca Indians. However, it suggests that these cultures may have been influenced by an even older, mysterious people who left behind the giant ancient monuments that the invading Inca found. Similar legends exist among the Maya of Yucatan and the Aztecs of Mexico. The text strongly suggests that the 'Eastern land' from which these civilizations originated is Atlantis, drawing parallels between the Aztec legend of Aztlan and Atlantis.

Religious Parallels and Pyramids

Despite a lack of direct contact between the Maya and Inca civilizations, ancient legends suggest they originated from a common people. A story from 1764 tells of indigenous people who believed their ancestor, the Great Spirit, ruled the world from the direction of the sunrise. The use of alcoholic beverages is mentioned as a factor that led to humans losing contact with the divine, a concept linked to the decline of Atlantean civilization. The article notes striking similarities between religious symbols and practices in the New World and the Old World, which Spanish priests attributed to the devil. The cross, a symbol of life, was prevalent in both regions. The word for 'god' in indigenous languages ('Teo' or 'Zeo') is compared to Greek 'Theos', Latin 'Deus', and Egyptian 'Tau'. Baptism ceremonies involving water and the consumption of cakes marked with a cross, similar to Egyptian rituals, are also mentioned.

Pyramids Across Continents

Scott-Elliott is quoted stating that pyramids are the primary sacred buildings on both sides of the Atlantic. The structural identity and orientation of pyramids in Egypt, Mexico, and Central America are too similar to be coincidental. While many American pyramids are truncated or flattened, those in Yucatan and Palenque are pointed, similar to Egyptian pyramids. The pyramids of Cholula are compared to those at Dahshur, Saqqara, and the step pyramids at Meidum, suggesting a common model.

Atlantis and the Amazon

Many believe the solution to the Atlantis mystery lies in the jungles of South America. P.H. Fawcett was convinced that remnants of a lost Atlantean civilization still existed in the Brazilian jungles, in vast, unexplored regions.

Uncontacted Peoples and Atlantean Legacy

Tribes along the Amazon River generally avoid venturing deep into the jungle. However, when they do get lost, they sometimes report seeing white, tall Indians who avoid contact and disappear. These uncontacted peoples are believed to live even deeper in the jungle than the hunting grounds of the indigenous tribes. The article concludes by reflecting on the future, imagining world museums adorned with artifacts from Atlantis and libraries containing translations of its inscriptions, shedding new light on human history and solving present-day problems.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the mysteries of ancient civilizations, particularly in South America (Tiahuanaco, Cuzco, Inca), their advanced engineering capabilities, and the persistent theories linking them to the lost continent of Atlantis. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these ancient enigmas, presenting various theories, legends, and historical accounts without definitive conclusions, but with a clear fascination for the possibility of a lost, advanced civilization like Atlantis influencing early human history. The issue also touches upon the nature of evidence, the limits of modern scientific understanding, and the enduring power of ancient myths and legends.

Correction and Future Issues

A correction is noted for 'Brev 3, Serie C', stating that 'syre' (oxygen) should be 'kolsyra' (carbon dioxide) when referring to plants absorbing from the air. The issue announces that Gert Carlsson has concluded his series on Atlantis and that the next 'Brev' in Serie C, titled 'SPRÅKETS URSPRUNG - ATLANTIS?' (The Origin of Language - Atlantis?), will feature Anna-Lisa Helle discussing the phonetic origins of written languages, potentially traceable to Atlantis.