FINDING LOST CIVILIZATIONS This

on the stone. The markings appeared to be a series of parallellines, some of which were spread in a fan shape. I hadseen several similar stones and markings in museums andbooks detailing ancient Indian cultures. Although I couldnot say what these markings meant Ihad a sense that some of them wererelated to the sun.Two weeks after seeing this ancientstone I was in Talapia Square inGuadalajara. I was looking at somebeads, handmade jewelry, and stoneson a blanket; all were being sold by afellow who appeared to be an indigenousnative, which is to say he had Indianfeatures. The items spread out onhis blanket were varied and seemed torepresent ancient stones, jewelry, fossils,and like items from throughout the South Americas. TheIndian noticed I was interested in some of his fossil piecesand emptied the contents of a plastic bag on the blanket.Lying before me were dozens of miniature clay pots and figuresthat were native antiquities. He produced a small blackstone and placed it in my hand. I was somewhat startled todiscover that this small stone was etched with markings similarto those I had seen on the larger stone in Alta Vista. TheIndian said the stone had been found in the ancient ruins ofMachu Picchu, Peru. Even though onehas to be careful not to be fooled byfakes and reproductions, I knew thatwhat I held in my hand was authentic.The markings and the small stonewere similar to the one I had seen inAlta Vista. Could the Tecoxquines ofZacualpan, Mexico, and the Incas ofMachu Picchu, Peru, be related? Didthey worship the same gods? And,what was the significance of the stonemarkings? I’m not sure that I will everknow. However, I can say that I havestood at the altar of the ancients, felt its power, and beheldthe marvels that time has not altered since the dawn of ages.Sri Sathya Sai Babd, an Indian spiritual leader, said, “Seeingis Believing, I will believe in God only if I see Him, but areall things seen or heard or touched or tasted, as real as they20