Sign - No 18 - 1992 03-04

Magazine Overview

This issue of SIGN, a Swiss interdisciplinary journal dedicated to UFOs and other unexplained atmospheric and terrestrial phenomena, is dated March-April 1992 and is in its 4th year of publication, issue number 18. The magazine is published bi-monthly by Luc Bürgin, who also serves as the editor. The cover highlights several key articles, including an investigation into Bob Lazar's claims, a CE-III case baffling German researchers, insights into pseudo-astronautics, the 'helicopter of Abydos,' the discovery of Ley Lines in Switzerland, and cattle mutilations in Japan.

Featured Articles

Bob Lazar: The Evidence?

This extensive report by Luc Bürgin revisits the claims of Bob Lazar, an American who in 1990 alleged to have seen nine UFOs at a secret hangar at the S-4 test site of the US Air Force. Lazar stated he worked on a project to understand the propulsion systems of these extraterrestrial craft. The article posits that Lazar's claims, if true, represent a monumental scientific sensation. It notes that intelligence agencies like the CIA and NSA have been compelled to release thousands of UFO reports due to public pressure, yet continue to withhold hundreds more citing national security. Lazar's assertion that the US government possesses nine crashed flying saucers housed in secret hangars initially led many to dismiss him as a crank. However, the article suggests growing evidence supports his story, potentially leading to a major scientific scandal. Lazar claims to have worked on the propulsion system from late 1988 to early 1989 under contract with American authorities. He describes the technology as belonging to an intelligence from the Zeta Reticulum system, with beings approximately 1.10 meters tall, weighing 25-50 pounds, described as grey-skinned, hairless, with large eyes and flat noses. The article details Lazar's alleged involvement in Project Galileo, which focused on antigravity propulsion, and mentions Project Sidekick and Project Looking Glass. He describes being given access to 120 binders of information on extraterrestrials and their technology. A key piece of information from these dossiers was a failed experiment in May 1987 at the Nevada test site involving an underground reactor, which exploded, killing the scientists involved. Lazar was reportedly brought in to replace them. The article also touches upon Dr. Teller's alleged involvement in Lazar's recruitment, with Teller initially denying knowledge of Lazar but later refusing to comment on camera. Efforts to silence Lazar are detailed, including universities having no record of him and negative responses from Los Alamos. However, an internal phone book and a newspaper report about his rocket car development were reportedly found. Lazar has produced a video to make his scientific findings available for public scrutiny.

CE-III Fall hält deutsche Forscher in Atem! (CE-III Case Baffles German Researchers!)

This article by Luc Bürgin recounts a UFO sighting in the former German Democratic Republic (GDR) on January 18, 1991. A 39-year-old woman in Ronneburg reported hearing a loud noise and seeing a formation of bright lights in the sky, which she initially thought might be a squadron of aircraft. She was then caught in a sudden, violent storm and thrown against a tree. The streetlights flickered. Afterward, she observed a bright light emanating from a hovering disc-shaped object. The underside of the UFO, with red lights, rotated. She then saw three humanoid figures in tight-fitting silver suits, boots, and helmets inside a transparent sphere. As the beings noticed her, they pointed a long staff at her, and the object vanished instantly. The witness was deeply disturbed, fearing disbelief. A local newspaper reported the incident somewhat mockingly. However, later, a couple came forward claiming to have also seen and heard the object. The local UFO research group GEP, known for its critical stance, investigated the case but could not explain it, leaving it a mystery. Notably, power outages were reported in homes up to 1 km away from the incident site at the time, suggesting electromagnetic anomalies often associated with UFO phenomena.

Seltsame Viehverstümmelungen nun auch in Japan (Strange Cattle Mutilations Now Also in Japan)

This report details the phenomenon of cattle mutilations, previously observed in the US, now appearing in Japan. Since the 1970s, ranchers have found dead cattle with specific organs removed by what veterinarians described as high-tech instruments, often without any signs of violence. While the link to UFOs is hypothetical, some reports mention strange light objects seen in the vicinity. The first reported case in Japan occurred on December 29, 1990, in Kinryuu, where a farmer's cow was found dead with its tongue and teats removed. Local veterinarians could not determine the cause of death. On January 4, 1991, the same farmer witnessed his dogs barking frantically and saw a bright, jellyfish-like flying object emerge from his barn and disappear into the sky. Upon inspection, he found one of his cows had a broken leg, which a veterinarian attributed to external force. The events bear significant parallels to the American cases.

Ley-lines auch in der Schweiz! (Ley Lines Also in Switzerland!)

This article discusses the phenomenon of Ley Lines, straight geographical lines connecting ancient sites like churches and religious monuments across Europe, as explored by Erich von Däniken. New findings from Switzerland are presented, with Armin Frey, a hobby historian, reporting the discovery of churches in the Canton of Bern lying on a straight line. He also identified a line in the Canton of Wallis with eight religious structures, suggesting a prehistoric connection. However, mainstream science, represented by Zurich theology professor Christof Werner and retired art history professor Adolf Reindle, dismisses the topic as 'phantasmagoria' and claims a lack of research. The article counters that a substantial body of literature on 'Ley Lines' exists, including scientific investigations, and SIGN intends to pursue this topic further.

Other Mentions

'Licht für den Pharao' (Light for the Pharaoh): A new book by Peter Krassa and Reinhard Habeck is mentioned, which will explore Egyptian reliefs depicting anomalies and is to be presented in Vienna. The authors are also working on a subsequent book about ancient Egyptians.

Mikrowellen? (Microwaves?): New findings regarding crop circles in England suggest they might be caused by short, high-intensity heat, possibly from microwaves, based on microscopic examinations of bent grain.

Neues UFO-Buch (New UFO Book): Illobrand von Ludwiger, head of the scientific UFO research group MUFON-CES, has completed a manuscript on the state of UFO research, to be published by Verlag 2001.

18 Kampfflugzeuge verfolgen UFO! (18 Fighter Jets Pursue UFO!): A report from February 11, 1992, states that 18 South Korean Air Force fighter jets pursued an unidentified flying object detected on radar, which was moving at supersonic speed towards the west coast. The object disappeared before the jets could intercept it.

A.A.S.-Meeting in Lüdenscheid: An announcement for a one-day meeting of the Ancient Astronaut Society on August 22, 1992, in Lüdenscheid, Germany. Speakers include Erich von Däniken, Peter Krassa, Reinhard Habeck, Peter Fiebag, Wolfgang Siebenhaar, Walter Jörg Langbein, Jörg Dendl, Hans-Werner Sachmann, Johannes Fiebag, and Luc Bürgin.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of SIGN are UFO sightings, alleged government cover-ups, extraterrestrial technology, ancient mysteries, and unexplained phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these subjects, presenting evidence and witness testimonies, even when they challenge conventional scientific understanding. The magazine actively seeks to investigate and report on these phenomena, encouraging further research and public awareness, as exemplified by its commitment to follow up on the Ley Lines investigation and to publish an expert review of Bob Lazar's video evidence in a future issue. The magazine positions itself as a platform for exploring controversial topics that are often dismissed by mainstream science and media.

This issue of the magazine 'SIGN' features a prominent article titled "'Hubschrauber' von Abydos: Die wissenschaftliche Erklärung" ('Helicopters' from Abydos: The Scientific Explanation). The magazine also includes a "LESERBRIEFE" (Reader Letters) section and a regular column titled "Was ist 'Prä-Astronautik'?" (What is 'Pre-Astronautics'?) by Hans-Werner Sachmann, along with a "Prä-Astronautik-Insider" update.

'Helicopters' from Abydos: The Scientific Explanation

The main article discusses a widely circulated image of an Egyptian relief from the entrance of the Sethos Temple in Abydos. The relief, when viewed by a layperson, appears to depict three modern objects: a tank, a helicopter, and a submarine or airplane. This has led to questions about the authenticity of the depiction and its scientific explanation.

The magazine presents the official statement from the Egyptological Seminar of the University of Basel. They confirm that the image is indeed a hieroglyphic inscription, but it is a correction. The stonecutter apparently made a mistake initially and then corrected the text later. The statement explains that the plaster and paint that would have concealed this correction in antiquity are now missing, causing the inscription to look peculiar. However, they assert that the symbols have absolutely nothing to do with airplanes, tanks, or similar modern technology.

The article concludes with a skeptical remark: "Whether this is the ultimate wisdom, we dare to doubt quietly..."

Leserbriefe (Reader Letters)

This section features positive feedback from readers:

• Peter Krassa from Austria praises "SIGN" for its improving content and graphic design, calling it a "major hit."
• Hans-Jörg Vogel from West Germany (BRD) also commends the issue, stating it is "excellently done again."
• Hans-Werner Sachmann from West Germany notes that "SPIEGEL" magazine is apparently working on a comprehensive report about UFOs, though its publication date is uncertain.
• Bruno Mancusi from Switzerland recounts his experience as a discussion guest on a recent UFO report shown on West Swiss television, mentioning that while he was invited, he could not influence the content, which ultimately contained some "annoying errors."

Prä-Astronautik-Insider (Pre-Astronautics Insider)

This update by Hans-Werner Sachmann provides brief news items:

• Item 038 announces the marriage of Peter Fiebag (co-author of several books on the topic) and Claudia Reimann on March 28, 1992, in Northeim. The Pre-Astronautics (PA) community sends its best wishes.
• Item 039 announces that the long-out-of-print book "Die kosmischen Eingeweihten" (The Cosmic Initiates) will be reissued in a revised and expanded edition in June of this year. The new title will be "Gesandte des Alls" (Envoys of the Universe) by Fiebag/Fiebag/Sachmann. Pre-orders can be placed through IPE at a specified address in Herne 2, West Germany.

Was ist 'Prä-Astronautik'? (What is 'Pre-Astronautics'?)

This section, also by Hans-Werner Sachmann, delves into the definition of Pre-Astronautics (PA), citing various sources:

• A quote from Dopatka's "Lexikon der Prä-Astronautik" (Düsseldorf 1979) defines PA as a theory that ancient Earth phenomena are solvable by considering the possibility of multiple landings by humanoid cosmic visitors, creating a common denominator for discussions on this fringe science.
• A quote from Fiebag/Fiebag's "Aus den Tiefen des Alls" (Tübingen 1985) describes PA as the research, evidence, and reconstruction of visits, contacts, or interventions on planet Earth by beings from outside the solar system or by beings operating spacecraft, occurring in historical, prehistoric, and early Earth times.
• A quote from Drury's "Lexikon esoterischen Wissens" (Munich 1988) characterizes PA as a modern branch of "fantastic science," stemming from the hypotheses of Erich von Däniken and others, which posits that earthly cultures were founded by visitors from space.
• A quote from Gossler's "Lexikon Grenzwissenschaften" (Landsberg 1988) defines PA as the theory that in prehistoric times, members of alien civilizations landed on Earth and influenced the development of cultures.

Sachmann then synthesizes these definitions, stating that if the boundaries are not set too narrowly, PA encompasses:

1. Focus on the past (prehistory).
2. Involvement with (historical) space travel.
3. Openness regarding whether this early astronautics was by extraterrestrials or terrestrial beings.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the interpretation of ancient artifacts and the exploration of fringe scientific theories. The magazine appears to be a platform for discussions on topics like ancient mysteries, potential extraterrestrial influence on early human history (Pre-Astronautics), and UFO phenomena. The editorial stance, particularly regarding the Abydos hieroglyphs, acknowledges scientific explanations but retains a degree of skepticism, suggesting that the debate may not be fully settled. The reader letters indicate a strong interest in these subjects among the readership.