New Worlds, July 1960

# NEW WORLDS SCIENCE FICTION, JULY 1960

This issue features science fiction stories and two nonfiction articles. "Project Mars" by Philip E. High concerns an archaeological expedition on Mars three years into excavation. The team leader Hilton convenes a meeting to address stalled progress: they've uncovered an enormous city surpassing London and New York in size, murals depicting spaceships with star charts, aircraft, and vehicular traffic, yet have discovered no mechanical devices—no wheels, springs, cogs, or switches. Archaeologist Chinnock reports the written language (indented markings like inverted braille) translated through computer analysis, yielding mysterious labels: artifacts containing bluish and yellow substances are marked "house with four rooms" and "to clean and repair." Officer Leas warns against destructive testing, fearing the gelatinous materials may be explosives. The novelet "Planet of Death" by Brian W. Aldiss is listed. Other fiction includes Arthur Sellings's "The Outstretched Hand," George Longdon's "I Like You," and J. G. Ballard's "Manhole 69." Kenneth Johns contributes an article "Biologically Speaking" and George Chailey an article on "Cave Painting."