During 1961 three rock collectors; Wallace Lane, Virginia Maxey and Mike Mikesell were hunting for geodes near the town of Olancha in the state of California when they discovered a potential specimen that would stimulate more than five decades of controversy. While cutting through the geode they discovered that instead of the normal cluster of crystals they expected to find they discovered a white ceramic cylinder that had a central iron core that was surrounded by an accretion of rust coloured stone. A faint hexagonal discolouring of the surrounding material could also be made out with the naked eye. According to Ms. Maxey the artifact was examined by an experienced geologist who stated that material surrounding the cylinder was at least 500,000 years old.
1920's technology in the form of a spark plug encased in a 500,000 year old stone geode. This is the Coso Artifact - real mystery or mistaken analysis?
X-rays of the Coso Artifact revealed further metal components that several independent experts have identified as parts of a 1920’s spark plug or something similar. If the item is a genuine “Out of Place Artifact” then it throws our understanding of history into total disarray. Today the Coso Artifact has been largely discredited for three reasons. Firstly, iron objects that are exposed to rain and the correct type of sandy soil or clay can quite quickly build a concretion of rust that appears very much like sandstone. Secondly, the artifact has disappeared. It may still be in the possession of one of the surviving discoverers but according to various sources they are no longer prepared to discuss the matter. Thirdly, the identity of the geologist who dated the Coso Artifact has never been revealed. We’ve only included this item in our list because of the persistent interest in the discovery and the ongoing conspiracy theory that the Item was confiscated by the US Government and a gagging order placed on those that found it.
No comments:
Post a Comment