Mysteria - Issue 40 - 1982 05

Magazine Overview

MYSTERIA, issue number 40, published in May 1982, is a German-language specialist journal for UFO research and pre-astronautics. It is published by MYSTERIA-Verlag and costs DM 3.50. The cover features a collage of images related to ancient artifacts and structures, hinting at themes of ancient mysteries and civilizations.

Editorial and Content

The issue begins with a table of contents, detailing articles and sections. Notably, it includes "Fotos von der AAS-Türkei-Reise" (Photos from the AAS Turkey Trip), "Abenteuer in der Türkei" (Adventure in Turkey), and "Leserbriefe" (Letters to the Editor). It also lists editorial staff and contact information, including Axel Ertelt as Editor-in-Chief and Hans-Werner Sachmann as editor for the Dortmund section.

"MYSTERIA privat" - Irregular Publication and Postal Issues

A section titled "MYSTERIA privat" addresses reader inquiries about the irregular publication schedule. The editors explain that the original plan for a monthly magazine has become difficult to maintain due to the time commitment involved in production and distribution, especially as it is a private venture. They announce that the magazine will now be published at irregular intervals, approximately every two months, though subscriptions will still cover 12 issues. They also mention the possibility of more extensive anthologies in the future, potentially replacing the current format after issue number 50. Additionally, they address the issue of underfranked mail received from readers, stating that due to increased postal costs, such mail will be returned, and they urge readers to adhere to new postal rates.

"Reisebericht" - AAS Expedition to Turkey

The main feature of this issue is a detailed travelogue of an expedition to Turkey organized by the Ancient Astronaut Society (AAS), led by Erich von Däniken. The article, titled "ABENTEUER in der TÜRKEI" (Adventure in Turkey), recounts the experiences of the MYSTERIA editorial team who participated in the tour from April 17th to April 24th, 1982.

The expedition's itinerary included visits to significant historical and archaeological sites. The initial planned program by American Express is presented, followed by the actual program which saw some adjustments. Key locations visited include:

• Istanbul: Topkapi Palace (with mention of the Piri Reis maps), Hagia Sophia, Süleymaniye Mosque, and underground cisterns.
• Ankara: Hittite Museum.
• Hattuscha: Ruins of the ancient Hittite city and rock sanctuaries like Yazilikaya.
• Kappadokien: Underground cities (Derinkuyu and Kaymakli).
• Nemrud Dag: The mountain summit with its monumental statues and a gravel pyramid.

The report details the logistical challenges, including travel arrangements with Turkish Airlines and Swissair, and the physical demands of the expedition, particularly the ascent of Nemrud Dag in the dark and cold. The author emphasizes that AAS expeditions are not leisurely tours but involve hard work and require participants to be prepared for strenuous conditions.

The Piri Reis Map Controversy

A significant portion of the travelogue focuses on the Piri Reis map. The expedition's inability to view the original map at the Topkapi Palace, as it was reportedly moved to the Military Museum and inaccessible due to restoration, is highlighted as a disappointment. The article explains the map's significance, noting its detailed depiction of coastlines that allegedly match satellite imagery and its inclusion of details discovered centuries later, such as a mountain range in Antarctica. The author expresses frustration and speculation regarding why the group was denied access to this crucial artifact, referencing a report by Swiss journalist Heinrich Muhle who claimed to have seen the original map in the Topkapi Palace archives later.

Reflections on Pre-Astronautics and Media Representation

The article reflects on the broader implications of the expedition for pre-astronautic research. It suggests parallels between ancient structures in Turkey and those in South America. The author also touches upon the critical reception of Erich von Däniken's work, citing an instance where the German magazine STERN allegedly misrepresented statements made by participants of a previous AAS tour, leading to a reprimand from the German Press Council. The MYSTERIA-Redaktion's intention was to provide an unbiased perspective.

Other Sections

The issue also includes a section on "Meldungen" (Reports) from international correspondents, a "MYSTERIA-Bibliothek" (MYSTERIA Library) section, and a call for reader participation in a contest or survey titled "WO IST WAS" (Where is What).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue strongly emphasizes the importance of firsthand research and direct experience in the field of pre-astronautics, as exemplified by the detailed travelogue. There is a clear stance against sensationalism and misrepresentation in the media, advocating for a more objective approach to investigating ancient mysteries and potential extraterrestrial influences. The magazine positions itself as a platform for serious enthusiasts and researchers, providing in-depth reports and analysis. The editorial stance is supportive of Erich von Däniken's work and the Ancient Astronaut Society, while also acknowledging the practical challenges of producing such a specialized publication.

This issue of MYSTERIA, identified as issue 12/81, focuses heavily on a travelogue detailing an expedition to Turkey. The trip was led by the renowned author Erich von Däniken and included participants such as Axel Ertelt, a hobby researcher and UFO enthusiast, and Hans-Werner Sachmann, a UFO/Prä-Astronautik researcher. The expedition, organized by the German-speaking section of the Ancient Astronaut Society (AAS), aimed to investigate ancient sites and uncover evidence supporting the theory of extraterrestrial influence on early human civilizations.

Expedition to Turkey

The travelogue, primarily written by Axel Ertelt, chronicles the group's journey through various significant locations in Turkey. The expedition began with a flight from Zurich to Istanbul, where they visited major mosques. A key point of interest was the Piri Reis map, a 1513 world map from the estate of a Turkish admiral, which is believed by some to show evidence of aerial perspectives, possibly of extraterrestrial origin. However, the map was moved to a military museum for preservation, preventing the group from viewing it.

The journey continued to Ankara, where the group visited the Hittite museum, examining reliefs and artifacts that some interpret as depictions of extraterrestrial beings. The tour also included a visit to Hattuscha, the ancient Hittite capital, where the ruins, particularly the Lion Gate and other stone carvings, were scrutinized for signs of contact with "star gods" or ancient astronauts. The construction methods and symbols found at these sites are often interpreted by Däniken's followers as evidence of advanced, non-human intervention.

A particularly challenging part of the expedition involved a nighttime ascent of Nemrud Dag, a mountain topped with colossal statues and a unique conical structure. The group experienced extreme cold and darkness during the climb, witnessing the sunrise over the ancient complex. Däniken suggested the conical structure might have served as a landing pad for spacecraft.

Underground Cities of Derinkuyu and Kaymakli

A significant portion of the report is dedicated to the exploration of the underground cities of Derinkuyu and Kaymakli in Cappadocia. These vast subterranean complexes, carved into tuff rock, were once inhabited by thousands of people. While previously attributed to early Christians seeking refuge, the discovery of Hittite artifacts within these systems has led to speculation that their construction predates Christianity. The purpose of these cities remains a mystery, with theories ranging from defense against invaders to protection from natural disasters like volcanic eruptions. The sheer scale and complexity of the ventilation systems and living quarters are highlighted, along with the surprising lack of waste found within them, which raises questions about their inhabitants and usage.

Personal Reflections and Incidents

Axel Ertelt describes the expedition as an "adventure that had it all" and "not for the faint-hearted." He notes the physical demands of the trip, including climbing and long bus journeys. An incident occurred during a bus ride where a passenger panicked and jumped out, sustaining a head injury, but was treated by a doctor within the group. The report emphasizes the group's overall health and resilience, with most participants completing the challenging excursions.

Themes and Theories

The central theme throughout the travelogue is the exploration of pre-history and the possibility of extraterrestrial involvement in human development, as proposed by Erich von Däniken. The expedition sought to find tangible evidence in ancient ruins, artifacts, and legends to support the "ancient astronaut" hypothesis. The report touches upon the interpretation of ancient symbols, such as the swastika, as universal solar symbols predating their negative association with Nazism. It also discusses the ongoing debate and differing interpretations of archaeological findings.

Reader Engagement and Editorial Notes

The issue includes a section for reader letters, discussing various topics including UFO sightings and the publication's schedule. A significant part of the end of the magazine is dedicated to the results of the "WAHL 1981" (Election 1981), a reader poll for the best article of the year. Reinhard Habeck's article "Die Schlange als Lichtträger" (The Snake as a Light Carrier) won first place for the second consecutive year. The report notes a low voter turnout compared to the previous year. There is also a correction regarding "stone discs" from Baian-Kara-Ula, clarifying that the image was a photomontage and not of actual "stone discs."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

MYSTERIA consistently explores themes related to UFOs, ancient mysteries, and alternative historical interpretations, particularly those popularized by Erich von Däniken. The magazine appears to foster a community of like-minded individuals interested in these subjects, as evidenced by the reader poll and the organization of group expeditions. The editorial stance, while presenting these theories, also acknowledges the ongoing nature of research and the need for further evidence, as reflected in Ertelt's concluding remarks about the unresolved mysteries of human history.

This issue of MYSTERIA-Bibliothek, spanning pages 21-30 and dated 1982, features a prominent article titled "DORTMUND IST ÄLTER!" by Hans-Werner Sachmann. The magazine also includes a section of "Auslandskorrespondenten" (Foreign Correspondents) reporting on various global news items.

Dortmund ist Älter!

The central article by Hans-Werner Sachmann challenges the official 1100th-anniversary celebration of Dortmund. Sachmann argues that historical documents and linguistic analysis point to the city being significantly older, at least 1400 years old, and potentially 2000 years or more. He criticizes historians and city archivists for overlooking certain facts and adhering to established, but potentially inaccurate, timelines.

Sachmann explains that determining a city's age relies on the earliest written records, but these documents are often created long after the initial settlement. He points to a document from 882 mentioning a man named Arnold living in "Throtmani," and another from 899 naming Dortmund "Trutmunia." He suggests that the name "Thortman" or "Throtman" likely originated in the Frankish era, possibly linked to Charlemagne's strategic founding of settlements. He posits that "Neu-Thort" or "Neu-Throt" (modern Dortmund) was founded northeast of an "alden dorp" (old village), implying an older settlement existed prior.

Further support for an earlier date comes from the Thidreksaga, which mentions the Nibelungen passing through Dortmund. Historian Dr. Gerd Müller suggests this event occurred around 575 AD, implying Dortmund existed then. Sachmann questions why the city celebrates 1100 years when evidence suggests it is at least 1400 years old, or even older if the Nibelungen passage is considered. He expresses his intention not to participate in the current celebrations.

Foreign Correspondents Reports

This section presents a series of short news items from around the world:

Pechsträhne für Wahrsager (Bad Streak for Fortune Tellers)

Francesco Fumarola, an astrologer from Brindisi, had several incorrect predictions for 1981, including airplane crashes, Khomeini's assassination, and the Pope breaking a leg. His colleague, Ramanand Shastri, was arrested for a false prophecy about Indira Gandhi's assassination.

Neues vom "Yeti" (News from the "Yeti")

Reports from Hubei Province, China, claim that around 200 farmers have seen "Yeti" specimens, described as large, hairy, human-like creatures. A Soviet expedition leader, Igor Tatsl, also claims to have confirmed the existence of the "Yeti" in the Pamir Mountains, with the Soviet Academy of Sciences planning an official investigation.

Cousteau am Amazonas (Cousteau on the Amazon)

Jacques Cousteau, at 72, is preparing his most ambitious expedition to explore the Amazon River and its tributaries in Brazil, aiming to discover thousands of unknown plants and animals.

"Pille" schon im 18. Jahrhundert ("Pill" already in the 18th Century)

Professor Angelo Melchiorre discovered documents in Italy indicating that a pill-shaped contraceptive device was used in the 18th century. The device was inserted into the uterus by a local priest, Don Amico Gizzi, who was later tried and executed as a heretic for promoting birth control.

Saurier liefen schneller als 100-Meter-Weltrekordler (Dinosaurs Ran Faster Than 100-Meter World Record Holders)

Footprints found in Texas suggest that dinosaurs could run at speeds of 40 km/h, faster than the current human 100-meter world record.

Roboter als Krankenschwester (Robot as Nurse)

Japan is developing robotic nurses to assist patients in hospitals. These robots can take temperatures, respond to acoustic signals, and adjust patient beds.

Lebende Totenmaske (Living Death Mask)

A German couple, Kurt and Gabi Lehr, received a death mask from an old man in the Ivory Coast. The mask repeatedly fell from its hanging place, even when secured with multiple hooks. The old man died the same night the mask seemed to come alive, taking on his features. The couple could not return the mask as the man had passed away.

Rätsel um gestrandete Wale (Riddle of Stranded Whales)

Dr. Richard Lambertsen discusses the mystery of 24 pilot whales stranding on Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard. Four theories are proposed: herd instinct, getting stranded during low tide while foraging, fleeing sharks, or ear parasites affecting their sense of direction. None have been definitively proven.

Ist Grabtuch Fälschung (Is Shroud a Forgery?)

Scientist Walter McCrone claims the Shroud of Turin is a forgery from around 1365 AD, stating the markings are iron oxide, not blood.

Fluch des Pharao (Curse of the Pharaoh)

A police officer in San Francisco, George La Brash, is suing for damages, claiming he suffered a heart attack due to the "curse" of Pharaoh Tutankhamun's mummy, which he guarded during an exhibition. His lawyer aims to prove that over a dozen people have died mysteriously due to the curse since the tomb's discovery in 1923.

Gehirnzellen zum Leben erweckt (Brain Cells Revived)

Swedish scientists have successfully revived dead brain cells in rats using a newly developed drug, potentially opening new perspectives for human medicine.

Akropolis am Einstürzen (Akropolis Collapsing)

The famous Akropolis in Athens is being dismantled and restored to prevent its complete collapse. It suffers from pollution and outdated restoration methods from 150 years ago. The original iron clamps used for repair are being replaced with titanium.

Uralte Tontafeln bestätigen Altes Testament (Ancient Clay Tablets Confirm Old Testament)

Approximately 16,500 ancient clay tablets found in Syria largely confirm the content of the Bible. Professor Giovanni Pettinato has deciphered a language from a 4500-year-old Semitic kingdom, finding biblical names and accounts of a great flood. The findings suggest a kingdom that existed 2500 years before Christ, possibly identifying Ebrium as Abraham's ancestor, which has caused political tension with Syria.

Gummibäume in der Taiga (Rubber Trees in the Taiga)

Soviet biologists discovered rubber trees in the Siberian Taiga, remnants of a subtropical plant species that lived there millions of years ago. The reason for their survival in the cold remains a mystery.

MYSTERIA-Bibliothek - Book Reviews

This section reviews several books:

• CAPITOL by Orson Scott Card: A science fiction novel about a world where the elite try to achieve immortality.
• LEBENSGEISTER GMBH by Robert Sheckley: A story about transferring souls into new bodies, with the risk of soul conflict.
• AM ENDE DES WEGES by Poul Anderson: The conclusion of the Dominic Flandry series, dealing with the potential dissolution of the Terran Empire.
• NEUE HEIMAT TERRA by S.U. Wiemer: A science fiction novel about the destruction of Terra and the struggle for survival.
• DER GRÜNE PHÖNIX by Andreas Weiler: Part of "Die Terranauten" series, depicting a post-conflict Earth transformed into an ecological paradise, threatened by a conflict between Bios and Technos.
• DER GELBE TOD by Robert W. Chambers: A collection of stories, considered a precursor to H.P. Lovecraft, about a terrible book that induces madness.
• EXTRATERRESTRISCHE INTELLIGENZEN by Dieter von Reeken: An updated bibliography on "extraterrestrial life and UFOs" from 1971-1975.
• LEBEN IN UNIVERSELLER SCHAU by Hermann Ilg: A booklet exploring the universal nature of life and extraterrestrial guidance.
• DIE GLADIATOREN by Josef Nyáry: A historical account of gladiatorial combat in ancient Rome.
• SIE WAREN NIE FORT by Michael Appel: A book examining UFO phenomena, arguing that extraterrestrial civilizations have always been present and never left Earth.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are historical revisionism (particularly concerning Dortmund's age), the exploration of mysteries and unexplained phenomena (Yeti, curses, whale strandings), and the intersection of history, mythology, and science fiction. The editorial stance appears to favor questioning established narratives and presenting alternative interpretations of historical events and unexplained occurrences, often drawing on less conventional sources or interpretations. There is a clear interest in ancient history, archaeology, and speculative topics like UFOs and extraterrestrial life.

MYSTERIA, Issue 31, dated October 30, 1982, is a German-language magazine focusing on topics of mystery, science, and the unexplained. The issue features reviews of two books, a reader contest, and a special offer for used equipment.

Book Reviews

Die Einstein-Rosen-Brücke by Johannes von Buttlar

This review discusses Johannes von Buttlar's book, which is 256 pages long and published by C. Bertelsmann Verlag in Munich. The book is priced at DM 32. Von Buttlar's theory is based on the work of New Zealand scientist Roy P. Kerr regarding rotating black holes. The theory posits that the immense gravitational forces within black holes create openings, similar to whirlpools, which could serve as "Einstein-Rosen bridges." These bridges are theorized to act as navigation corridors for future spacecraft, enabling travel to distant parts of the universe and potentially to different points in time. The concept of bridges as corridors was first explored by Albert Einstein and Nathan Rosen in 1935. The review highlights von Buttlar as a successful author in this field, noting his books have been translated into 27 languages and that he is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and a frequent guest on television and radio programs.

Als man noch protokeltisch sprach by Hans-Rudolf Hitz

This review covers the book by Hans-Rudolf Hitz, which is 186 pages long and includes illustrations, drawings, and tables. It was published by Juris Verlag in Zurich in 1982. The author gained recognition in AAS circles after presenting at the AAS meeting in Fulda in October 1981, discussing the Glozel inscriptions. Hitz's book allows readers to thoroughly examine his research findings. It offers interested laypeople the opportunity to engage with Hitz's theories, which suggest that a form of proto-Celtic language might have been spoken in Glozel, a village in the French department of Allier, where the legendary inscribed tablets were found in 1924. Hitz has attempted a partial decipherment of these inscriptions, uncovering surprising philological connections that he illustrates with numerous examples of words and symbols. The review recommends the book for those interested in theories of ancient languages and megaliths.

Reader Contest: WO IST WAS?

Page 2 of the magazine presents a visual puzzle titled "WO IST WAS?" (Where is What?). It features a photograph of a temple complex and asks readers to identify its location from five options: 1. England, 2. Bolivia, 3. Greece, 4. Sri Lanka, 5. Egypt. The correct submission will be entered into a book lottery, with the legal recourse excluded. The deadline for entries is October 30, 1982. Employees of MYSTERIA-Redaktionen, regular contributors, and the submitter of the photo or their family members are excluded from participation.

Special Offer

An "Achtung: Sonderangebot" (Attention: Special Offer) section advertises two used items for sale on behalf of a customer:

• X66: Mobile Car Radio (CB-Funk / with or without antenna): Original price approx. DM 550, offered for DM 198.
• X65: SPIRIT-UMDRUCKER with crank operation: Original price approx. DM 200, offered for DM 80.

Both items are described as being in very good condition. Inquiries should be directed to the editorial office (Chefredaktion).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of MYSTERIA continues its focus on fringe science, ancient mysteries, and speculative theories, as evidenced by the book reviews on interstellar travel via black holes and the linguistic analysis of ancient inscriptions. The magazine actively engages its readership through contests and special offers, fostering a sense of community and participation. The editorial stance appears to be one of exploration and open-mindedness towards unconventional ideas, while also maintaining a degree of critical review, as seen in the detailed summaries of the books.