Mysteria - Issue 06 - 1979 06

Magazine Overview

This issue of MYSTERIA, a German-language magazine focused on UFO research and pre-astronautics, is dated 6/79 and is part of the 1st volume. The cover features a photograph from the 6th World Conference of the AAS (Ancient Astronaut Society) in Munich, where the president, Dr. Gene M. Phillips, presents an award to Professor Harry O. Ruppe.

Table of Contents and Editorial Information

The issue includes a detailed table of contents, editorial information, and an impressum. The editorial team includes Editor-in-Chief Axel Ertelt and Editor Hans-Werner Sachmann. The magazine is described as a private publication that appears monthly. Copyright for signed articles belongs to the authors, while unsigned articles are copyrighted by the editorial team. Reprints are only permitted with written consent. The magazine does not pay for unsolicited manuscripts and reserves the right to shorten or edit submissions. No honoraria are paid as the magazine operates on a cost-recovery basis. An annual book prize is awarded for the best reader contribution. Subscription details and bank account information for orders are provided.

Articles and Features

Letter to the Editor

A letter from Erich von Däniken is featured, responding to a previous article titled "What We Notice" (MYSTERIA Nr. 3/79). Von Däniken confirms that a measurable trace was found at the Martand temple, though its meaning remains speculative and requires excavation.

Prehistoric UFO Base: The Externsteine

Ferdi Heller presents a multi-part series on the Externsteine in Germany, suggesting it was a prehistoric UFO base or a center for extraterrestrial visitors. He discusses a 'rocket symbol' found within an oval in one of the Externstein grottos, theorizing it was burned into the rock by a laser-like beam. Heller also mentions that the stones in this area emit warmth, as noted by Wilhelm Teudt in 1929, and that the symbols are not of Celtic or Germanic origin, suggesting they were created by earlier, possibly extraterrestrial, visitors.

Did Earth Have 421 Days in Ancient Times?

This section discusses a hypothesis about the Earth's rotation slowing down over time, referencing Immanuel Kant. It explores findings from ancient corals suggesting that 430 million years ago, a year had 421 days, each lasting 21 hours. An Armenian scientist, Aslajan, proposes that the Earth's shrinking compensates for the tidal braking effect, maintaining a constant rotation speed.

What is UFO Research?

This article argues that UFO research must extend beyond eyewitness accounts to include speculation. It suggests that every speculation about UFOs, no matter how fantastic, is worth exploring. The magazine previously published an article on 'UFO-nauts' in issue 4/79.

The Mystery of Angel Hair Solved?

Manfred Lies investigates the phenomenon of 'angel hair,' a fibrous substance sometimes reported in connection with UFO sightings. He describes its appearance as spiderweb-like or gelatinous, and its tendency to dissolve. Lies proposes that angel hair might be a byproduct of UFOs traveling through time. When a UFO lands, atmospheric substances and soil particles might adhere to it due to static electricity. Upon takeoff, the UFO's powerful force field, which rotates to overcome time and space, could cause these substances to form into fibers. These fibers, dispersed through time and space, would eventually settle on Earth, appearing as angel hair. He notes that traditional practices like using tinsel (lametta) at Christmas might symbolize these ancient observations.

Gods and Spacemen: Space Travelers in Ancient Greece

W. Raymond Drake's report continues, discussing Pythagoras and his teachings. Drake mentions that Pythagoras claimed to have been transported around the Earth supernaturally and had friendships with 'space beings.' The article also touches upon legends of people being transported to lands of eternal youth and merging with immortals, citing examples of time displacement and unusual disappearances.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of MYSTERIA strongly emphasizes the intersection of UFO phenomena with ancient history, mythology, and pre-astronautics. The editorial stance appears to be open to speculative theories, encouraging readers to engage with unconventional ideas about extraterrestrial influence on Earth's past. The magazine aims to present evidence and theories that challenge mainstream scientific and historical narratives, fostering a community of researchers interested in these topics.

This issue of MYSTERIA, titled "Prä-Astronautik / UFO-Forschung," is issue number 11, published in 1979. It features a cover story about the alleged reverse-engineering of an alien weapon by the Russians following a UFO crash.

UFO Crash in the Soviet Union: Russians Replicate Alien Beam Weapon

The lead article by Peter Fiebag details an incident on December 14, 1977, where a Soviet citizen named Dimitri Roskonovitch (name changed for safety) witnessed a UFO crash near Minsk. The object, described as large, bright, and round, descended rapidly, maneuvered erratically, and was then hit by an explosion, causing it to break apart. Roskonovitch found the central body intact. Military personnel arrived, and after they left, he discovered scorched earth and dead wildlife, indicating the immense destructive power of the object or its technology. He decided to flee the Soviet Union to warn the West. The article notes that in May of the previous year, the Soviet news agency TASS reported the development of a novel handheld weapon with unlimited range. Further reports from the news agency Reuter in May of the current year confirmed that the Soviets had tested a new beam weapon in Vietnam during the Sino-Vietnamese border war, causing severe injuries to Chinese soldiers. The article concludes that the Soviets have likely managed to replicate the alien weapon.

Pre-Astronautics and Ancient Civilizations

Several articles explore the concept of pre-astronautics, suggesting that ancient civilizations may have been influenced or visited by extraterrestrials. One section summarizes W. Raymond Drake's book "Gods and Spacemen in Greece and Rome," translated by Karl-Heinz Villis. It discusses ancient figures like Epimenides, who was believed to have slept for 57 years and gained wisdom, and Aristeas of Proconessus, who disappeared and reappeared centuries later. The text speculates that these figures, along with others like Lycurgus, Aethalides, and Pythagoras, might have been informed by "spacemen."

6th World Congress of the Ancient Astronaut Society (AAS) in Munich

Pages 14-17 extensively cover the 6th World Congress of the AAS, held from June 14-16 in Munich, Germany. The AAS, founded in 1973 by American lawyer Dr. Gene M. Phillips, aims to scientifically investigate evidence supporting the theories that Earth was visited by extraterrestrials in prehistoric times and that current civilization is not the first. The society has approximately 4,000 members worldwide and plans to establish a museum.

Key presentations at the congress included:

• Dr. Gene M. Phillips: Opened the congress, outlining its goals and the 25 problem points in early history that could be solved by considering extraterrestrial intervention.
• Dr. Luis E. Navia: Discussed the scientific methodology applicable to pre-astronautic hypotheses.
• Prof. Dr. Harry O. Ruppe: Spoke on interstellar flight, suggesting that reaching nearby stars might be possible in the future and that humanity should consider both visiting and being visited.
• Dr. Duncan Lunan: Explored whether humanity is a protected species by advanced alien civilizations.
• Walter-Jörg Langbein: Argued that Old Testament texts contain numerous references to extraterrestrial visits and the creation of intelligent humans.
• George Sasson and Rodney Dale: Presented on the "Manna Machine," proposing that ancient technology was mistaken for religion and that extraterrestrials supplied the Israelites in the desert.
• Ulrich Dopatka: Introduced his lexicon of pre-astronautics.
• Walter Ernsting: Delivered a humorous and critical presentation, refuting Hoimar von Ditfurth's attempts to discredit UFO research and pre-astronautics. Ernsting advocated for public initiative against what he termed "mass deception" under the guise of science.
• Zecharia Sitchin: Presented his theory of the "Twelfth Planet," believed to be the home of the "Nefilim," an extraterrestrial race that colonized Earth 450,000 years ago.
• Prof. Dileep Kumar Kanjilal: Discussed flying apparatuses in ancient Indian Sanskrit texts.
• Josef F. Blumrich: Presented his work on the reconstruction of Ezekiel's spaceship.
• Erich von Däniken: Showcased his archive with slides, criticizing the press and suggesting that conventional academics like Professor von Ditfurth have a "disturbed relationship with the truth."

The congress featured discussions and a banquet. A notable event was the screening of an Eduard Meier film, which was met with controversy regarding its authenticity.

Book Reviews

The issue includes reviews of several books related to UFO research and pre-astronautics:

• "BOREALIS" by Rolf Telano: A self-published work from 1979 that presents a message from a Venusian world, emphasizing self-responsibility and freedom. The reviewer notes its engaging narrative and its inclusion in the reading lists of serious UFO researchers.
• "GESCHICHTE BEGINNT IN BIMINI" by Pierre Carnac: This book challenges the traditional view that history began in Sumer, proposing that Bimini in the Bahamas was the cradle of humanity. It discusses mysterious underwater structures and suggests a connection to Atlantis research.

Editorial Notes and Announcements

The editorial section mentions that sensational events related to the AAS World Congress and the Externsteine site have occurred, which will be detailed in the next issue. It also includes announcements for lectures by Prof. Dr. Hans Holzer in Düsseldorf.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the potential influence of extraterrestrial civilizations on ancient human history (pre-astronautics) and the ongoing investigation of UFO phenomena. The magazine appears to support the scientific exploration of these topics, as evidenced by its coverage of the AAS World Congress and its critical stance towards those who dismiss or ridicule UFO research, such as Hoimar von Ditfurth. The editorial stance leans towards an open-minded, yet critical, approach to unconventional theories, emphasizing scientific investigation and the re-examination of historical and religious texts for evidence of extraterrestrial contact.

This document is a personal letter from Erich von Däniken to Axel Ertelt, dated May 30, 1979. It is accompanied by a cartoon on a second page. The letter discusses von Däniken's recent experiences and research.

Letter from Erich von Däniken to Axel Ertelt

Erich von Däniken begins by apologizing for the significant delay in responding to Axel Ertelt's last issue, explaining that he has been on a lecture tour for the past three months. He then addresses the subject of Kashmir, stating that it was not a "game of confusion." Von Däniken confirms that he was indeed in Kashmir and, using his electronic equipment, discovered a radioactive trace measuring 52 meters in length that ran perfectly straight towards the Martand Temple.

Despite finding this trace, von Däniken found himself unable to make practical use of it. He notes that, despite local assistance, they were denied permission to conduct any excavation. In this regard, he describes the entire endeavor as a "failure" ('Reinfall').

Von Däniken further explains that he later had to be told by experts in radiation measurement technology that there could be various reasons for such a trace. These potential explanations include a uranium deposit in the ground, specific solar radiation angles in high valleys at certain times, or simply cosmic radiation that affects certain measuring devices differently.

To be certain about what was truly happening in Kashmir, von Däniken states that he would have to return there sooner or later, but this time with an excavation permit.

He concludes the letter by asking if they might see each other in Munich and sends his warm regards. The letter is signed by Erich von Däniken, with a note indicating L. Grossmann as his secretary. A disclaimer at the bottom states that no liability is accepted for unsolicited manuscripts, images, or documents.

Cartoon and Additional Content

The second page features a cartoon with two alien-like figures and a human figure who appears to be a theology student. The student, identified as Walter-Jörg Langbein, is depicted in a precarious situation, seemingly being interrogated by the aliens. He is quoted as saying, "Let me down again, if I promise never to rummage around in old writings again?" Below this, there is a caption attributed to W.J. Langbein: "He who doesn't know Däniken is sleeping!" The cartoon is signed "Reinhoffel HABECK."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The document highlights Erich von Däniken's ongoing research into unexplained phenomena, particularly his interest in ancient sites and potential evidence of extraterrestrial influence. The mention of a radioactive trace near an ancient temple and the subsequent expert explanations reflect a common theme in his work: investigating anomalies and seeking explanations beyond conventional science. The cartoon, with its humorous take on the study of ancient texts and the potential for encountering "gods from all" (aliens), also aligns with the broader subject matter often associated with von Däniken's popular writings. The editorial stance, as conveyed through the letter, is one of persistent inquiry and a desire for empirical investigation, even when faced with obstacles.