Archive for May 15th, 2006

Unidentified Egyptian Animal

Crypto, Dinosaurs in Literature, s8int.com, Uncategorized, Unexplained Artifact | Posted by Chris Parker
May 15 2006

 

It’s true that we can’t consistently tell the difference between a sheep and a goat, but does that mean we can’t be experts on “extinct” animals? What?

This is an Egyptian Amulet from the New Kingdom period (up to 2700 years before Christ). The description of the amulet is that it is made of Sard or carnelian; a representation of an “unidentified animal”.

And so it is, but–if one believes that certain creatures died out millions of years ago, one is unlikely to consider them as a possibility when  attempting to identify the animal in question.

On the other hand, if one believes that man co-existed with all living creatures, one might come up with a surprising indentification. Maybe our guess is correct-there is only this one view of the piece available.

On the other hand, maybe its a goat or a sheep-or yes a rabbit.

Source:Los Angeles County Museum of Art

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‘Brazilian Stonehenge’ discovered

Sophistication of Ancestors, Uncategorized, Unexplained Artifact | Posted by Chris Parker
May 15 2006

By Steve Kingstone
BBC News, Sao Paulo

Forwarded by Shane. Thanks!   

Brazilian archaeologists have found an ancient stone structure in a remote corner of the Amazon that may cast new light on the region’s past. The site, thought to be an observatory or place of worship, pre-dates European colonisation and is said to suggest a sophisticated knowledge of astronomy.  Its appearance is being compared to the English site of Stonehenge. It was traditionally thought that before European colonisation, the Amazon had no advanced societies.  The archaeologists made the discovery in the state of Amapa, in the far north of Brazil. A total of 127 large blocks of stone were found driven into the ground on top of a hill.Well preserved and each weighing several tons, the stones were arranged upright and evenly spaced. 

It is not yet known when the structure was built, but fragments of indigenous pottery found at the site are thought to be 2,000 years old.  

What impressed researchers was the sophistication of the construction. The stones appear to have been laid out to help pinpoint the winter solstice, when the sun is at its lowest in the sky. 

It is thought the ancient people of the Amazon used the stars and phases of the moon to determine crop cycles. Although the discovery at Amapa is being compared to Stonehenge , the ancient stone circle in southern England , the English site is considerably older. 

It is thought to have been erected some time between 3000 and 1600 BC.!

 

 

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