1974 10 00 SAGA - John Keel - Ancient Astronauts Modern Mysteries

Magazine Overview

This issue of SAGA magazine, titled "Ancient Astronauts Modern Mysteries" and authored by John A. Keel, explores the possibility of advanced ancient civilizations in North America that predate recorded history. It challenges conventional timelines and narratives, presenting evidence and legends that suggest a much older and more complex human past.

The First American

The article begins by questioning the widely accepted notion that Virginia Dare was the first European child born in North America. It posits that Snorre Karlsefni, son of the Viking explorer Torfinn Karlsefni, born in Newfoundland in the year 1020, holds this title. The author highlights the archaeological rediscovery of Viking longhouses and artifacts across North America, asserting that Vikings visited the continent centuries before Columbus. Furthermore, the article suggests that even the Vikings were not the first inhabitants, proposing that a highly advanced race, whose origins are unknown, populated North America thousands of years prior, possessing technology that rivaled or surpassed contemporary European cultures.

It is also suggested that ancient civilizations like the Egyptians and Chinese were aware of North America and included it on their maps. The article critiques Christopher Columbus's voyage, stating he was opportunistic and geographically ignorant, misidentifying his destination and not realizing he had discovered a new continent. The author implies that the ancient mapmakers possessed a far superior understanding of global geography.

The text then presents a fascinating claim from historians Pliny and Pomponius Mela about a boatload of red-complexioned people arriving on the German coast in 62 B.C. This is interpreted as evidence of adventurous American Indians traveling to Europe long before Europeans ventured across the Atlantic, suggesting that if Indians could make such a journey, so too could Phoenicians, Egyptians, and other early peoples have visited North America.

Towers and Henges

Upon their arrival in New England, early Europeans were surprised by the presence of ancient stone towers, large earth mounds, and other mysterious structures. Many of these were destroyed during colonization, but new discoveries continue to emerge. The article mentions the finding of hundreds of miles of wide roads in the Southwest in the 1930s, noting that Native Americans, lacking horses or the wheel, had no practical need for such extensive road systems. Dolmens and Stonehenge-like structures found across the U.S. are described as having been built with mathematical precision and are believed by modern scientists to have served as astronomical observatories, a level of sophistication beyond that of nomadic Indian hunters.

The ancient builders also left behind a complex irrigation system, meticulously designed and surveyed, far exceeding the capabilities of the indigenous populations. The Mississippi and Ohio Valleys are noted for ancient structures and traces of a civilization comparable to those of the Indus and Nile Valleys. Stone cities dating back 8,000 years are reportedly being unearthed in the Mississippi Valley. Excavations in Indian mounds have revealed metal artifacts of iron, copper, and alloys, indicating a knowledge of metallurgy unknown to Native Americans, who were limited to working meteoric iron for ceremonial purposes. The discovery of copper armor suits and skeletons with copper noses suggests advanced craftsmanship and burial practices.

The Great Lakes region reveals a vast network of ancient copper mines, some in use 2,000 years ago, requiring thousands of workers. The article contrasts this with the Indians' focus on flint arrowheads and animal skins. It also points to ancient oil wells discovered in Titusville, Pennsylvania, and Enniskillen, Canada, with tools and construction methods similar to those found in ancient copper mines, suggesting industrial activity thousands of years before modern discoveries.

The Moon-Eyed People

Native American myths and legends speak of encounters with strange white people who once inhabited parts of the continent. Tribes in Kentucky and West Virginia told of a bizarre group known as "moon-eyed people" with pale skin and large, round eyes, so sensitive to light that they avoided daylight. They lived in stone villages and were fiercely protective of their territory, leading Indians to avoid these areas. The article speculates that these "moon-eyed people" might be remnants of the "lost colony" of Roanoke Island, which mysteriously disappeared.

It also touches upon the disappearance of the entire Greenland settlement established by Vikings, suggesting a possible migration to North America. Indian legends describe tall, blond gods, some clad in armor like Vikings, others in flowing robes, possessing magical rods and the power of flight, riding in "metal birds." The Eskimos are mentioned as having a resemblance to the ancient Olmecs and claim they were originally brought to the far north in "metal birds," hinting at an advanced, Atlantis-like civilization.

The article connects these legends to the disappearance of the Olmec civilization. It also discusses the presence of giants, with Delaware Indians recounting a history of conflict with a race of giants called the Alligewi, who built mighty cities and fortifications in the eastern U.S. The Indians eventually drove the Alligewi westward, where bones of 7 to 10-foot-tall people were found in Minnesota mounds. Similar legends of giants arriving by reed rafts are found in Ecuador, suggesting a possible connection between the "moon-eyed people" and the Alligewi.

Our Lost History

The author concludes that physical evidence across North America points to an advanced culture thriving long before the arrival of Indians from Asia. The similarities between mounds, henges, and constructions in Europe, Asia, and Pacific islands suggest a once-worldwide culture that likely reached its peak before the last Ice Age. Geological calamities may have led to its degeneration, but fragments of its global maps were preserved and passed down, eventually reaching Columbus. The giants, once builders of monoliths, may have devolved into a primitive state. Eventually, they were driven from their homeland by Indians, with some possibly fleeing to South America. The article speculates that these ancient gods might have been survivors of a forgotten golden age or even visitors from another planet, influencing early man and being worshipped as deities. The author provocatively suggests that Atlantis may not have sunk but might be the land we live on today.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the concept of ancient astronauts and the re-evaluation of established historical timelines. The editorial stance is one of questioning conventional narratives and exploring alternative explanations for ancient mysteries, drawing upon archaeological evidence, ancient texts, and indigenous legends. The magazine promotes the idea that North America was home to advanced civilizations with sophisticated technology and global connections, potentially predating known human history and possibly having extraterrestrial origins or influences. The author, John A. Keel, clearly advocates for a revisionist view of history, emphasizing the "lost history" of the continent and its potential connection to legendary places like Atlantis or even other worlds.