Nexus - 1304 - New Times Magazine-pages

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The logical conclusion seemed to be that Moricz had shown something to von Diniken, was now caught by the fact that everyone seemed to know that he had done so, and had to make sure that whoever had shown him did not bear any grudges against Moricz, no doubt because Moricz himself would most likely have been asked not to show anyone else the site. The logical conclusion seemed to be that Moricz had shown said. "The name of Prince Charles, who had recently received a something to von Daniken, was now caught by the fact that degree in archaeology, was proposed, but I knew Neil Armstrong everyone seemed to know that he had done so, and had to make had Scottish connections. My mother was an Armstrong and via sure that whoever had shown him did not bear any grudges another Armstrong in Langholm, where Neil Armstrong had been against Moricz, no doubt because Moricz himself would most made an honorary citizen, I made contact. Months later, I got a likely have been asked not to show anyone else the site. reply that Neil Armstrong was more than willing to join us on this mission. It's when the expedition suddenly became a life's A small step for Armstrong, a major step for mankind challenge." By 1975, the story had killed the career of one notorious author, On 3 August 1976, when the expedition was winding down, so who would dare to tread in his footsteps? The answer: Neil Armstrong entered the tunnel system. Even though they were not Armstrong, the first man on the Moon—or rather, a Scotsman looking for it, the team members did not stumble upon a Metal who wanted to change the precarious status quo in which the Library. Had they done so, the discovery would have altered Metal Library controversy had found itself. mankind's perspective on our history and origins. For Amstrong, Stanley ("Stan") Hall had read von Daniken's book and it could have been his second great contribution to mankind's subsequently befriended Moricz. The latter confirmed that he had exploration. However, the team did catalogue 400 new plant met von Daniken in 1972 and had taken the species as well as a burial chamber inside the Swiss author from Guayaquil to Cuenca, cave, in which a seated body was found. The where they met Padre Carlos Crespi and saw chamber was later dated to 1500 BC, and it his collection of enigmatic artefacts. There was believed that at the time of the summer was insufficient time to take von Daniken to Jaramillo saw a solstice the sun illuminated this tomb. the "true location", so instead they decided to The story had gone from ancient astronauts show him a small cave some 30 minutes from library consisting of to astronaut par excellence, but what would be Cuenca, claiming it connected to the thousands of large, the next step? network. This seemed to clear up the von Daniken—Moricz controversy, but not the metal books stacked The third man Metal Library itself. i Everyone and everything had revolved Where was it? Moricz's 1969 expedition ti shelves, each with around Juan Moricz, but in retrospect he was had ventured into the Cueva de los Tayos, an average weight of the wrong centre of the universe. From 1969 which Moricz identified as the cave that led about 20 kilograms until 1991, the year he died, the Metal Library 3 into the Metal Library. But in 1969, no . eluded him. So what next? Metal Library had been uncovered. So each page impressed That Moricz was not the originator of from one side with Hall decided to organise an the story was clear, as von Daniken Ecuadorian-British expedition that . . himself noted on page 53 of his book. In ideographs, geometric designs and written would explore the Cueva de los Tayos; the 1973 interview with Der Spiegel, inscriptions. it would be a purely scientific Moricz confirmed that an unnamed expedition. person had shown him the cave. But I had met Stan Hall a few times over who was this person? the course of a decade, without knowing After Moricz died, Hall decided to that the person I was speaking to was track down this "third man", who had Stan Hall. He was a member of the disappeared into the shadows. Hall had audience at the Scottish Sauniére a name—Petronio Jaramillo—but Society conferences. Stan blends into nothing more. the background and is unlikely, if not "Moricz died in February 1991," said unwilling, to stand out. It's by pure accident that I found out I Hall. "I had a name and a telephone directory. But there were an knew Stan Hall—the Stan Hall, who furthermore lives nearby... awful lot of Jaramillos in Quito. Finally, I found him—or, rather, It provided me with an opportunity to get a personal perspective his mother. It was September 1991 when she gave me the phone on this story, and one I was willing to take with both hands. number of her son. I phoned him. He told me that it had taken 16 Originally set up to take place in 1977, the 1976 expedition years before our paths crossed. He was willing to meet me, and occurred at a time when von Diniken's public profile had been stated that he needed three days to fill me in." damaged by Moricz—and Hall was apparently about to endorse Jaramillo confirmed that when Moricz arrived in Guayaquil in Moricz's claim. It left von Daniken feeling wary about Hall for 964, he teamed up with lawyer Dr Gerardo Pefia Matheus. more than 20 years, until both men realised they were kindred Moricz told Matheus of his theory about how Hungarian people spirits rather than mortal enemies. have been at the root of practically every civilisation. Through Why did he do it? Hall wanted to create a framework: if there acquaintances, Andres Fernandez-Salvador Zaldumbide and was indeed a Metal Library of a lost civilisation, the first step Alfredo Moebius, Moricz met Jaramillo in Moebius's house, and would be to map the site. That was the main and only goal of the from there Moricz ran with Jaramillo's story. Hall was annoyed expedition; there was no treasure-seeking. Hall used his with himself, for various people had tried to direct him towards professional expertise to create a three-week exploration of this Jaramillo as early as 1975, but it took until 1991 before the two famous cave: a joint venture of the British and Ecuadorian met. armies, supported by a team of geologists, botanists and other Jaramillo and Hall realised that had it not been for Moricz, who specialists. focused attention on the Cueva de los Tayos (which was not the How did Neil Armstrong get involved? actual location of the library), the 1976 expedition could have "The expedition needed an honorary figurehead," Stan Hall resulted in the discovery of the century—and what a track record library consisting of thousands of large, metal books stacked an average weight of about 20 kilograms, each page impressed from one side with ideographs, geometric designs and written inscriptions. met. Jaramillo and Hall realised that had it not been for Moricz, who focused attention on the Cueva de los Tayos (which was not the actual location of the library), the 1976 expedition could have resulted in the discovery of the century—and what a track record 58 + NEXUS JUNE — JULY 2006 Jaramillo saw a on shelves, each with www.nexusmagazine.com