Indisputable Proof
Page 40
“Well,” Pakhom swallowed hard, “the white blood cells in this sample had a total of 24 chromosomes instead of 46. It included the usual 23 that came from the mother’s side and then a “Y” sex chromosome. This “Y” sex chromosome resulted in the person being male, but because it lacked the other 22 autosomes, it suggests the man whose blood is on that pant leg was fathered from a source other than a human male. Or,” Pakhom chuckled awkwardly, “wasn’t fathered at all. Neither case, of course, is possible.”
After Pakhom finished, el Sha’er nodded slowly and stood. “Now I understand. The sample is corrupt. You may dispose of it, Mr. Pakhom.”
AUTHOR’S NOTE’S
The truth?
While this is a work of fiction, many elements of the story—history, mysteries, and locations—are accurate. Here is a summation of the facts:
According to the Bible, Joseph of Arimathea, the man who gave up his newly built family tomb to house Christ’s body after the resurrection, was a metals dealer and is thought by some scholars to have traveled a great distance from Israel. Some suggest he went as far as South America to trade his wares.
The Costa Rican stone spheres are as described in the story, with most located in and around the town of Palmar Sur. Since stone cannot be carbon dated, their origin is unknown. Some suggest they were made around 800 AD, but it is also possible they date back to the first century or earlier. The stones were carved from indigenous rock—which is not a mystery—but there is no record why they were created or why they continued to be carved by the native Costa Ricans over the centuries. There are currently two spheres on display in the U.S. as depicted in the story: at the Museum of the National Geographic Society in Washington, DC, and in the courtyard on the Harvard University campus near the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography.
The Sudarium of Oviedo is a revered religious artifact residing in the Cathedral of San Salvador in a special room called the Cámara Santa, as described. The cloth is kept inside the Arca Santa, a reliquary chest, and only brought out for display three times a year: Good Friday, the beginning of the Feast of the Cross on September 14th, and the end of the Feast of the Cross on September 21st. There is blood and lymph dried into the fabric. It has undergone analysis and testing, as has the Shroud of Turin, although the results have not always been released to the public. Both cloths contain blood type AB positive, a rare type, applicable to only five percent of the world’s population.
The “Formacion Descartes Santa Elena” is a natural land formation on the coastline of Costa Rica on the Pacific Ocean side. It is within the Parque Nacional Santa Rosa (Santa Rosa National Park). The authors are unaware whether it leads to a recess or cave.
Reference to Jesus Christ is excluded in the tomes of most well-known historians during the first century, even those who lived in and around Israel. The most famous historian at that time, Flavius Josephus, does indeed mention Him in Antiquities of the Jews as a teacher who attracted a mass following and was revered after death, but the authenticity of an additional passage summarizing Christ’s ministry and death by crucifixion has been questioned by scholars since the 17th century. The writing is a stark departure from Josephus’ text, with words and phrases characteristic of the Christian style. Many scholars believe the text was inserted into Josephus’ work hundreds of years after his death.
The Petra on the Greek Isle of Patmos exists. It was a refuge for hermits dating back to the early Christian era. It is speculated that, during John the Apostle’s exile on Patmos, he frequented this large outcropping of earth situated at the end of the bay. As mentioned, the Petra has hewn steps, carved holes for holding candles, and a cistern.
According to the Bible, Joseph, Mary, and the Baby Jesus fled to Egypt during the “Massacre of the Innocents,” when King Herod the Great decreed the execution of all first-born male children in Bethlehem in order to avoid being dethroned by a newborn King of the Jews foretold by the Magi. There is, indeed, no mention of Jesus Christ in the Bible from the age of 13 until He began teaching the Gospel at the age of 30. Some have suggested He returned to Egypt during that time, although no reasonable explanation has been proposed.
Many cultures, including the ones cited in the story, are said to have very similar legends to the account of Jesus Christ in the Bible. As pointed out, the Egyptian figure Horus was said to have been born on December 25th, performed miracles, was crucified, and was resurrected on the third day after death. Supposedly, the Horus story can be found in Egyptian writing dating back to 1500 BC. The notion that Horus and other deities had the same characteristics as Jesus Christ long before the Christian era, and thus became the basis for Jesus’ story, is a highly debated topic.
The Copper Scroll of the Dead Sea Scrolls, as depicted in the story, is accurate. The metal scroll contains 64 lines of text, 63 of which are directions to buried treasure—hordes of gold and silver. Possibly because of the obscure references to landmarks which no longer exist, none of the gold and silver has ever been recovered. Other theories propose that the 63 locations of treasure never existed. Interestingly, the 64th line does, indeed, mention a second, duplicate scroll, which is said to contain more detailed information regarding the location of the treasures. The Copper Scroll is unique when compared to the rest of the Dead Sea Scrolls for the numerous reasons listed in the story, including the use of dialect and text which dramatically differs from the rest of the scrolls that were written on parchment and animal skins. Curiously, there are two or three Greek letters which follow seven of the 63 listings of treasures. No one has determined their meaning or why Greek letters would have been etched next to the Hebrew writing.
There was once a religious fanatical organization known as Flagellants. Their inception can be traced to 13th-century Italy. They were condemned by the Catholic Church as heretical. Their followers implemented public flagellation in their rituals. The sect reached its pinnacle of support during the Black Plague. While flagellation, also known as “Mortification of the Flesh,” is sometimes practiced today, the Flagellants as a group do not exist to the authors’ knowledge.
As stated in the story, there was a group called the “Sons of Light” in first-century Israel, who lived on the shores of the Dead Sea. They were also known as the Essenes and are considered by most scholars to be the authors of the Dead Sea Scrolls. The “True Sons of Light” is a fictitious group.
French architect Jean-Pierre Houdin theorized that the Great Pyramid in Egypt was built using an ascending ramp which followed the sides of the pyramid at a seven-degree angle, twisting around until it eventually reached the top. At the conclusion of the pyramid’s construction, Houdin believes the builders encased the outer shell of the pyramid to conceal the ramp, which he postulates is still in place today.
The hotel referenced in the story, Sonali Giza Hotel, is fictitious. While there is a strong theory that a second sphinx once existed to form a matched pair with the Great Sphinx on the Giza Plateau, there is no evidence suggesting where it may have stood on the Egyptian landscape.
The German World War II “Gold Train” was as described in the story. Countless pieces of artwork were never recovered.
The ceremony of the Feast of the Cross in Oviedo, Spain, when the Sudarium is brought out for public display, was altered by the authors for purposes of the story.
As of this writing, Las Vegas, Nevada, in the USA, does indeed have 21 of the 28 largest hotels (based on number of rooms) in the world.
EVIL IN THE BEGINNING
Coming 2013
In the riverside town of Green Cove Springs, Florida, the freshwater spring at the city park briefly turns blood-red, startling onlookers. Moments later, the last of the discolored water flows into the stream and empties into the river.
Only one man knows this event is a prelude to evil.
Dr. Curt Lohan and Scott Marks return in the sequel to
Death in the Beginning when they discover a hidden cave near the St. Johns River. The cave contains remnants of an ancient cross-oceanic expedition by one of the most enigmatic civilizations that ever inhabited the Earth. As sinister characters emerge in the small town and people begin to disappear, the terrifying truth becomes evident: the magnificent archaeological site holds a dark secret that has been unleashed on the world.
About the Authors
Vicky Knerly is a native of Syracuse, New York, and currently resides on St. Simons Island, Georgia, with her husband and sons. She has a bachelor’s degree in English and two masters’ degrees, and she has won awards for her research-based writing. She currently works for a private university based in Melbourne, Florida, where she also teaches as an adjunct professor.
Gary Williams lives in Jacksonville, Florida, with his wife and children. He has a bachelor’s degree in Business Marketing and writes full time. His hobbies include fishing, history and watching football.
In 2009, Gary and Vicky formally partnered as co-writers. Their debut novel, “Death in the Beginning,” was published electronically November 2011 quickly followed by their second novel, “Three Keys to Murder”. Look for “Evil in the Beginning” in 2013.