Back again - muchas gracias Joe for the kind words, I could very easily say the same about you!
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I don't wish to anger or insult anyone over the Tucson artifacts. I do not know who or whom created them, nor buried them, nor their reason(s) so anything attempting to address those issues runs into pure speculation. So if anything I said is offensive, my apologies and no offense was intended. I can't see any ancient people(s) traveling from the Old World, using lead alloy swords or spear heads. The metal is simply too soft, even with antimony added for hardener, as most bullet-casting folks can attest. It helps, but not enough to use as an edged hand weapon unless in the form of a club or mace or projectile. IF the artifacts were intended to be an archaeological hoax, the logical items to make from lead would have been sling bullets, which were often shaped like a football, and could be inscribed by the owners. Archaeologists have been shocked to find ancient Greek sling bullets inscribed with terms like "take that!" Or spindle whorls, lamps, many other items could have been made up fairly easily (there is a regular industry today making fake clay "ancient Roman" lamps in fact) so the obvious question is what the purpose of these Tucson artifacts really was? I propose that their intended function was DECORATIVE, or ornamental, to use in some kind of quasi-temple or actual temple; as to what group would be associated, I do not know the answer. My personal guess is some Mormon group, possibly a splinter group which was neither numerous nor continued to exist to our day. The link or perhaps key is in the mention of the Toltecs, which as you know is prominent in Mormon thinking about the history of ancient America. One other point here but the source of the metal used for making the Tucson artifacts might have been linotype metal, used for newspaper printing type. It was possible to buy this (used) fairly cheaply for many years, melts readily and makes good detailed castings hence the use for making letter type. For those convinced that the Tucson artifacts are the genuine article, along with the story they tell of a Roman/Samaritan Jewish colony in southwestern America circa 8th century AD, I do keep the door open so will certainly listen to any argument or view any evidence proposed to support it. I have read Covey's book (some years ago and do not own a copy) and also several articles supporting them as genuine, as well as participated in a somewhat lengthy and interesting discussion on another forum (LDMA) which raised many interesting points. I would sooner discuss the possibility, even probability, of Old World visitors dating hundreds or even several thousand years before the time period supposed for Calalus, and not some massive colony/pseudo-empire warring with Toltecs and Olmecs etc. The Los Lunas decalogue (which I prefer to spell with a k, as was formerly correct) is one example of a 'calling card' left by visitors from across the seas. The sailing directions left near Pyramid lake in Nevada are another, and then there are the mysterious seven-mile long stone walls in California, which no one seems to agree as to who or whom built them, nor how old they really are. The Norse sagas tell of voyages made to Vinland to obtain a cargo of lumber to bring back to Europe and sell - just as Diodorus and Aristotle tell of Carthaginians traveling to their "secret" land for lumber, gold, silver, jewels and fish. These types of expeditions (besides being logical) would not leave behind massive stone ruins of ancient cities, nor much of any evidence, just scattered graffiti as most explorers have left and the occasional artifact like the "Roman" stone statue head found in . I realize that our historians completely dismiss this idea (except for a few) although the current dogma of Isolationist theory will not hold water. <copyright Romeo Hristov, borrowed under Fair Use provisions, from the interesting article online at:
Roman Head from Mexico > It is somewhat of a waste of time to discuss such questionable items as the Tucson artifacts. There are issues with them that point to a modern origin. Unless some compelling evidence should surface to support them, I don't see how we might profit by studying them in detail. I am happy to re-examine the topic if and when such evidence(s) might be brought forward. I will go out on the proverbial limb even farther and state that I am 100% confident that solid evidence of ancient Mediterranean visitors is to be found in the Tucson/Phoenix/Globe area, as well as along the Colorado river. But perhaps this is all too far off-topic and should be in a separate thread. While I was typing this up I see new posts appeared, and in particular Garry mentioned a 'confession' by one of the creator(s) of the Tucson artifacts. I would be interested in seeing that, if anyone can post it? Thank you in advance. I have to sign off but will try to pop in later this evening. Coffee anyone?
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