Since then, hundreds of individuals throughout the world have reproduced the Baghdad battery with stunning success. These experiments have all served to prove that electric battery technology was created and used nearly 1,800 years before the modern invention by Alessandro Volta in late 1799.
What could these primitive batteries have been used for? Beyond electroplating metals, some researchers have theorized that they may have been used for medicinal purposes or even as power sources for other advanced technological devices that have yet to be discovered (or perhaps rediscovered!).
Antikythera Mechanism
Sponge divers working off the isle of Antikythera discovered a very unique and interesting find in 1901. The divers found the remains of a remarkably complex clocklike mechanism. The technical complexity and engineering of the device is incredible—especially for a device that is believed to be more than 2,000 years old! After its discovery, the device sat in a museum for more than 50 years before historians began to take a serious interest in investigating its provenance and possible use.
Known as the Antikythera mechanism, it has been referred to as an intricate “clockwork computer.” This small bronze device was built sometime between 150 BC and 100 BC, and is unique in that it preceded any machine or device of comparable complexity by more than a millennium.
Consisting of a small box with dials on the outside and an extremely complex assembly of gear wheels mounted within, the Antikythera mechanism resembles a finely made 18th- or 19th-century Swiss clock. External hinged doors appeared to have been placed to protect the dials, and on all available surfaces of the box, doors, and dials, were long Greek inscriptions describing the operation and construction of the device. Despite the harsh salt water conditions, at least 20 wheel gears have been preserved including an incredibly intricate assembly of gears that were mounted eccentrically on a turntable and likely functions as a type of epicyclic or differential gear system. According to the Atlas Obscura (atlasobscura.com), the Antikythera mechanism is
[r]egarded as the first known analog computer, the mechanism can make precise calculations based on astronomical and mathematical principles developed by the ancient Greeks. Although its builder’s identity and what it was doing aboard a ship remain mysteries, scientists have worked for a century to piece together the mechanism’s history.
Somewhat surprisingly, most consider it unlikely that the Antikythera mechanism was a navigational tool. The harsh environment at sea would have presented a danger to the instrument’s delicate gears, and features such as eclipse predictions are unnecessary for navigation. The mechanism’s small size, however, does suggest that it was designed with portability in mind. According to some researchers, a more plausible story is that the mechanism was used to teach astronomy to those with little knowledge of the subject.
To use the instrument, you would simply enter a date using a crank, and, when the gears stopped spinning, a wealth of information appear at your fingertips: the positions of the Sun, Moon, planets, and stars, the lunar phase, the dates of upcoming solar eclipses, the speed of the Moon through the sky, and even the dates of the Olympic games. Perhaps most impressively, the mechanism’s calendar dial could compensate for the extra quarter-day in the astronomical year by turning the scale back one day every four years. The Julian calendar, which was the first in the region to include leap years, was not introduced until decades after the instrument was built.
Historically, nothing of this complexity has been discovered elsewhere, and nothing even remotely comparable is known to exist in any of the scientific texts or literary references from the period. In fact, from what we do know about the technology and science of the Hellenistic period, a device such as this should not even exist! Even the most complex mechanical devices from the period contained only simple gearing systems.
This intriguing device is currently housed in the Bronze Collection of the National Archaeological Museum of Athens. A replica of the mechanism is also located at the American Computer Museum in Bozeman, Montana.
Dendera Light Bulb
Deep beneath the Temple of Hathor at Dendera there is a stone relief that seemingly depicts a “bulb like” object, which some proponents believe is an ancient light bulb! Some ancient Egyptologists believe that the technology depicted appears to be similar to a Crookes Tube, which was an early form of light bulb. Within the bulb icon, there is a snake that forms a wavy line from a lotus flower (the socket of the bulb). Connected to this is a length or wire of cable that terminates in a small box. Next to the bulb is a two-armed djed pillar, which appears to be connected to the snake, as well as a small baboon holding two knives. The discovery of this enigmatic icon has been a source of significant controversy as it represents a significant departure from traditional Egyptian history.
Among the researchers who share this view is famed Swiss archaeologist Erich von Däniken. Von Däniken is a best-selling author best known for his often-controversial theories regarding “Ancient Astronauts” and the extraterrestrial influence on early human cultures and civilizations. According to von Däniken, the presence of electrically powered light sources might help to explain the notable absence of black soot and carbon deposits in temples and tombs. In his acclaimed book The Eyes of the Sphinx, von Däniken theorizes that the snake might represent a filament, the djed pillar was an insulator, and the tube itself was actually an ancient electric light bulb! According to von Däniken, the baboon was a warning sign and signified that the device was dangerous if used incorrectly.
Although most components of the Dendera Light Bulb certainly could correspond with modern electrical light bulb specifications, several overarching questions remain: How could such a supposedly primitive society have acquired the knowledge and tools to develop such an advanced technology? Secondly, even if the ancient Egyptians had developed a light bulb, how was it powered? Was a device similar to the Baghdad battery employed? Why have we not discovered any surviving “light bulbs”?
Saqqara Bird
In a tomb dated 200 BCE, deep below the sands of Saqqara, Egypt, an unusual artifact was recovered in 1898. The artifact is made of well-preserved sycamore wood that was thought to originate from the tomb’s epoch. Egyptian artifacts are recovered fairly often, so what makes this one unique? Well, this particular object is shaped like a modern-day airplane or glider! Due to its similar characteristics, it has been named the Saqqara Bird or Saqqara Glider. The object is approximately 5.6 inches in length, and has an overall wingspan of 7.2 inches. The artifact even has a tail section that mirrors a modern aircraft!
When it was originally discovered, the object was cataloged as a model of a bird and was stored, gathering dust, in the basement of the museum of Cairo until 1969, when it was “rediscovered” by Dr. Khalil Messiha, an Egyptologist and model plane enthusiast. Dr. Messiha immediately noticed that the artifact did not resemble any known bird species; however, it had definite similarity to an airplane! Since then, several artifacts similar to the Saqqara Bird have been recovered from various other tombs throughout Egypt.
Looking at the artifact, it certainly does appear “plane-like,” as the tail is vertical like an airplane, not horizontal like a bird would be. Many individuals have built balsa wood replicas, and they have successfully flown when thrown by hand.
Though mainstream Egyptologists believe that the Saqqara Glider may actually be a type of ceremonial object, or even a toy, several alternative theories suggest that it was developed as a model of an actual plane or glider that was either built, or witnessed, by the Egyptians. Intriguingly, bird models that the Egyptians typically built had legs, the Saqqara Bird does not. In addition, other models have painted feathers; again, this one does not.
One final interesting tidbit about the Saqqara Bird: Inscribed on the side of model are hieroglyphics that say “the Gift of Amon.” In ancient Egypt, Amon was known to be the God of wind and air, and the phrase “I want to fly” was allegedly found on a papyrus scroll that was discovered alongside t
he artifact.
Coso Artifact
From ancient Egypt, we move to the United States. In 1961, three friends were prospecting for geodes to sell in their rock shop near the small town of Olanche, California. Wallace Lane, Virginia Maxey, and Mike Mikesell had been digging for some time when they came across a specimen that was quite unusual. This particular geode appeared to be encrusted with fossilized shell fragments. In addition, they noticed two non-magnetic metallic objects protruding from the crest. Amazingly, these resembled a nail and a washer!
The next day, while at the store, Mike Mikesell attempted to cut the specimen in half. During the process, Mikesell claims to have ruined a nearly new diamond saw blade. Inside, he discovered a perfectly circular section of extremely hard, dense white material that appeared to be ceramic or porcelain. In the center of the ceramic substrate, there was a 2-millmeter shaft of shiny material that responded to a magnet. Mike-sell immediately recognized the object as a modern-era spark plug!
Virginia Maxey claims to have taken the unusual object to a geologist who dated the artifact to be approximately 500,000 years old. To date, we do not know the geologist’s name or what methods were used to date the object. For an object of this potential significance, it seems highly suspect that the geologist has never been identified, nor have his findings been published in any known trade journal. Furthermore, at the time the geologist has supposedly dated the Coso Artifact as being approximately 500,000 years old, there was no known method (such as the use of guide fossils) by which either the artifact or the concretions could have been accurately dated.
From “The Coso Artifact: Mystery From the Depths of Time?” by Pierre Stromberg and Paul Heinrich:
To help us to learn more about spark-plug technology of a century ago, we enlisted the help of the Spark Plug Collectors of America (SPCA). We sent letters to four different spark plug collectors describing the Coso Artifact, including Calais’s X-rays of the object in question. We expected the SPCA to provide some vague hints or no information at all about the artifact. The actual answers were stunning.
On September 9, 1999, Chad Windham, president of the SPCA, called Pierre Stromberg. Windham initially suspected that Stromberg was a fellow spark plug collector, writing incognito, with the motive of hoaxing him. His fears were compounded by the fact that there is an actual line of spark plugs named “Stromberg.” Though Stromberg repeatedly assured Windham that his intentions were purely for research, he was puzzled why Windham was so suspicious and asked him to explain. Windham replied that it was so obvious to him that the artifact was a contemporary spark plug, the letter had to be a hoax. “I knew what it was the moment I saw the X-rays,” Windham wrote.
Stromberg asked Windham if he could identify the particular make of the spark plug. Windham replied he was certain that it was a 1920s-era Champion spark plug. Later, Windham sent two identical spark plugs for comparison. Ten days after Windham’s telephone call, Bill Bond, founder of the SPCA and curator of a private museum of spark plugs containing more than 2,000 specimens, called Stromberg. Bond said he thought he knew the identity of the Coso Artifact: “a 1920s Champion spark plug.” Spark plug collectors Mike Healy and Jeff Bartheld (vice president of the SPCA) also concurred with Bond’s and Windham’s assessment about the spark plug. To date, there has been no dissent among the spark plug collectors as to the identity of the Coso Artifact.
Researchers today are divided regarding their beliefs as to the true origin of the Coso Artifact. It is likely that this enigmatic object is likely to remain controversial for the foreseeable future.
The Georgia Guidestones
Situated on a hilltop field 8 miles outside of the town of Elberton, Georgia, the Georgia Guidestones stand proudly as a testament to modern engineering and machinations. Modern? Yes, the construction of the Georgia Guidestones is well known. However, the details become murky beyond that.
Sometimes referred to as the “American Stonehenge,” the Georgia Guidestones are a megalithic monument that was erected in 1980 by the Elberton Granite Finishing Company. The stones are engraved in eight different languages (English, Spanish, Swahili, Hindi, Hebrew, Arabic, Chinese, and Russian) and relay 10 “commandments” for “an Age of Reason.” The stones were situated in a manner in which the winter and summer solstices could be delineated. The rocks are absolutely massive—and the quarrying, transportation, and erection are considered an amazing engineering feat even by today’s standards!
Figure 5-1: The Georgia Guidestones. Image courtesy of Larry Flaxman.
Each rock is 16 feet tall, with four of the blocks weighing more than 20 tons each. Together, they form the support for a 25,000-pound capstone. On each of the stones, the following sayings are inscribed:
1. Maintain humanity under 500,000,000 in perpetual balance with nature.
2. Guide reproduction wisely—improving fitness and diversity.
3. Unite humanity with a living new language.
4. Rule passion—faith—tradition—and all things with tempered reason.
5. Protect people and nations with fair laws and just courts.
6. Let all nations rule internally resolving external disputes in a world court.
7. Avoid petty laws and useless officials.
8. Balance personal rights with social duties.
9. Prize truth—beauty—love—seeking harmony with the infinite.
10. Be not a cancer on the earth—Leave room for nature—Leave room for nature.
Like most things “unknown,” the Georgia Guidestones have attracted many conspiratorial theories regarding its meaning. Theories abound regarding the true meaning behind the stones—with some believing that they have a satanic or Luciferian origin. Others believe that the Guidestones are actually an iconic representation of the New World Order (NWO)—and exemplify the beliefs that the secret “shadow government” supposedly espouses.
In 2009, Wired magazine ran a story on the Guidestones and provided a significant amount of background information regarding the origin of these mysterious stones. However, there are still many, many unexplained aspects of the story. According to the story, a man named Robert C. Christian showed up in Elberton County one day in June 1979, claiming to represent “a small group of loyal Americans” who had been planning the installation of an unusually large and complex stone monument. Christian had chosen Elberton—the granite capital of the world—because its quarries were said to produce the finest stone on the planet.
Joe Fendley, Elberton Granite’s president, was intrigued by the description Christian gave of the monument he had in mind, which would include stones larger than any that had been quarried in the county, and stones that were to be cut, finished, and assembled into some kind of enormous “astronomical instrument.”
Christian explained to Fendley that the structure would serve several purposes—as a compass, calendar, and clock—and would need to be engraved with a set of guides written in eight of the world’s major languages. Christian insisted it had to be capable of withstanding catastrophes and natural disasters, so that the shattered remnants of humanity would be able to use those guides to reestablish a better civilization than the one that was about to destroy itself.
Construction of the Guidestones got under way later that summer. Hundreds of photographs were taken to document the progress of the work. Jackhammers were used to gouge 114 feet into the rock at Pyramid Quarry, searching for hunks of granite big enough to yield the final stones. Fendley and his crew held their breath when the first 28-ton slab was lifted to the surface, wondering if their derricks would buckle under the weight. A special burner (essentially a narrowly focused rocket motor used to cut and finish large blocks of granite) was trucked to Elberton to clean and size the stones, and a pair of master stonecutters was hired to smooth them.
Then began the search for a suitable site for the Guidestones in Elberton County: a flat-topped hill rising above the pastures of the Double 7 Farms, with vistas in all directions. For $5,000, owner Wayne
Mullinex signed over a 5-acre plot. In addition to the payment, Christian granted lifetime cattle-grazing rights to Mullinex and his children, and Mullinex’s construction company got to lay the foundation for the Guidestones.
With the purchase of the land, the Guidestones’ future was set.
Apparently, a carefully cut slot in the Guidestones’ center column frames the sunrise on solstices and equinoxes. The astrological specifications for the Guidestones were so complex that Fendley had to retain the services of an astronomer from the University of Georgia to help implement the design. The four outer stones were to be oriented based on the limits of the sun’s yearly migration. The center column needed two precisely calibrated features: a hole through which the North Star would be visible at all times, and a slot that was to align with the position of the rising sun during the solstices and equinoxes. The principal component of the capstone was a 7/8-inch aperture through which a beam of sunlight would pass at noon each day, shining on the center stone to indicate the day of the year. Was this another Stonehenge? Was that what Christian had intended to build, an American version of that amazing British monument?
The main feature of the monument, though, would be the 10 dictates carved into both faces of the outer stones, in eight languages: English, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Arabic, Hebrew, Hindi, and Swahili. A mission statement of sorts (LET THESE BE GUIDESTONES TO AN AGE OF REASON) was also to be engraved on the sides of the capstone in Egyptian hieroglyphics, classical Greek, Sanskrit, and Babylonian cuneiform. The United Nations provided some of the translations (including those for the dead languages), which were stenciled onto the stones and etched with a sandblaster.
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