Sorry, the polish was caused by the ocean, not man, and there is no painted or dyed surfaces.natural inclusions with the same ancient type polish, and painted/ dyed surfaces.
Sorry, the polish was caused by the ocean, not man, and there is no painted or dyed surfaces.natural inclusions with the same ancient type polish, and painted/ dyed surfaces.
I get it, I understand what you think is happening here. I understand how obscure these photos look, but dismissing it as pareidolia just because your mind does not see the details or put the whole together is irresponsible and sad because it is discouraging to true investigation, a possiblity ok? but definitive without proper examination.... NO. That diagnosis is subject to the same subconscious programing.
here is an ancient polished stone. see how it has the similar crevices and scratches,
Hello, this is my first post here and well long overdue as I have had this artifact for sometime but has been somewhat of a mystery to me, Years ago I tried to get more information about it and failed, set it aside and going to try again today. Here is the story starting in the late 80's- early 90's
At Cascade head in Lincoln City Oregon, there is a cave (well it has since collapsed in since my childhood) which was fabled to me as a pirate cave. What fun it was to go to our favorite beach every year and also have the mystery of pirates. On low tides we could walk across the rocks to get to it. Along with looking at sea life we also picked up agates along the beach and collected them and put them in a jar.
We eventually moved away from Oregon and several years later I found the jar and started to go through them and inspect all the cool agates and other tid bits we found. I started to go through them and well to my astonishment one was quite different. It was not so rough and odd shaped, it was smooth, and symmetrical, I then identified it as a crude skull shape that looked to be cut near the jaw and polished to form the bulb of the back of the head! I began to look closely at its swirls and to even more astonishment saw depictions of pirates! They have since faded a little but I think are still showing. I have no idea what technique could have done this. and I think it is more likely carnelian than agate. Its ironic as a kid dreaming of finding treasure there and then many years later discovering we did.
My theory is that this was a form of pirate art that they would create in off times and use for trading. I have never seen anything like it. The legend goes of a 8ft African skeleton found and native legends of a winged canoe. I wonder if it could have also been part of Sir Francis Drakes expedition or just a west coast pirate, I really do not know much about all that happened there. https://beachconnection.net/news/skelet021914_809.php
So here it is! Starting with the right cheek, We have the captain, with a long brimmed had and long black beard. it seems the scratch lines up with the hat so it might be a clue how this process was done but its not like that on every depiction. Behind him is a Ghost with long beard and dreads. The 3 circles that were his eyes and mouth had disintegrated sinceI first discovered it but I think enough remains. It could have been picked up anywhere on the beach about a mile from the site or in the cove where the cave once was. unfortunately this may have been in the sea water eroding for a couple hundred years and in the hands of a know nothing teenager.
View attachment 1999104
a better view of the captain View attachment 1999112
The Left Cheek, Much of it I could never tell what it was, but I drew on the face from what I first saw discovering this as a teenager, the face was blue, and the man had a white beard, he was holding a torch, and in the back ground another arm was reaching up to light his torch with it. all the stuff to the right I could never tell what it was.
View attachment 1999108
a closer view of the 2 torches
View attachment 1999111
the back view, at first I could not tell what it was, now its like the most identifiable evil looking skull n crossbones with very pointy cheeks and triangular eyes and double pointed chin.
View attachment 1999113
Top view, to show the symmetrical shape, and the bulge of the back part of the skull, narrowing to the faceView attachment 1999114
3/4 view, and back lit to show possibly how it was dyed or painted. View attachment 1999116
I guess I forgot to take pics of the bottom, but there is not much to look at other than a crude jaw line, with a few scratches on it. I may be able to get those later if interest abounds to show how it might have been worked.
I want to know what it may be worth, and how does one go about selling something like this?
Thanks for the interest!
Let us know what the museum has to say please.thank you traeller777. I will give them a contact and direct them to this page so they can see my presentation and the scoffers.
Things people are not adressing: the level of polish is not found on natural stones. They are rough in shape, or have more of a milky texture on the outer edges.
the images are only on the outside not inner banding. the inside is relatively clear, yet opaque paint or dyes are found all on the edges. not consistent with other agates.
I am not saying they were trying to carve in a relief... but possibly use pits and scatches as a way to inlay paint for better adherence. they may just be natural scars that they then used as part of design elements. and these were not ancient romans, but the same surface quality is found on other ancient polished stones.
My brother lived in Portlathank you traeller777. I will give them a contact and direct them to this page so they can see my presentation and the scoffers.
Things people are not adressing: the level of polish is not found on natural stones. They are rough in shape, or have more of a milky texture on the outer edges.
the images are only on the outside not inner banding. the inside is relatively clear, yet opaque paint or dyes are found all on the edges. not consistent with other agates.
I am not saying they were trying to carve in a relief... but possibly use pits and scatches as a way to inlay paint for better adherence. they may just be natural scars that they then used as part of design elements.
You state in your abovethank you traeller777. I will give them a contact and direct them to this page so they can see my presentation and the scoffers.
Things people are not adressing: the level of polish is not found on natural stones. They are rough in shape, or have more of a milky texture on the outer edges.
the images are only on the outside not inner banding. the inside is relatively clear, yet opaque paint or dyes are found all on the edges. not consistent with other agates.
I am not saying they were trying to carve in a relief... but possibly use pits and scatches as a way to inlay paint for better adherence. they may just be natural scars that they then used as part of design elements. and these were not ancient romans, but the same surface quality is found on other ancient polished stones.
Who are the "scoffers"? A scoffer is someone who mocks, belittles, or makes fun of someone in a derisive way. No one who responded to you did that.. You asked for opinions then proceeded to argue with individuals who obviously have experience in these things. Everyone was polite and attempted to present their points clearly and intelligently. That was a rude remark.thank you traeller777. I will give them a contact and direct them to this page so they can see my presentation and the scoffers.
Things people are not adressing: the level of polish is not found on natural stones. They are rough in shape, or have more of a milky texture on the outer edges.
the images are only on the outside not inner banding. the inside is relatively clear, yet opaque paint or dyes are found all on the edges. not consistent with other agates.
I am not saying they were trying to carve in a relief... but possibly use pits and scatches as a way to inlay paint for better adherence. they may just be natural scars that they then used as part of design elements. and these were not ancient romans, but the same surface quality is found on other ancient polished stones.
Hello, this is my first post here and well long overdue as I have had this artifact for sometime but has been somewhat of a mystery to me, Years ago I tried to get more information about it and failed, set it aside and going to try again today. Here is the story starting in the late 80's- early 90's
At Cascade head in Lincoln City Oregon, there is a cave (well it has since collapsed in since my childhood) which was fabled to me as a pirate cave. What fun it was to go to our favorite beach every year and also have the mystery of pirates. On low tides we could walk across the rocks to get to it. Along with looking at sea life we also picked up agates along the beach and collected them and put them in a jar.
We eventually moved away from Oregon and several years later I found the jar and started to go through them and inspect all the cool agates and other tid bits we found. I started to go through them and well to my astonishment one was quite different. It was not so rough and odd shaped, it was smooth, and symmetrical, I then identified it as a crude skull shape that looked to be cut near the jaw and polished to form the bulb of the back of the head! I began to look closely at its swirls and to even more astonishment saw depictions of pirates! They have since faded a little but I think are still showing. I have no idea what technique could have done this. and I think it is more likely carnelian than agate. Its ironic as a kid dreaming of finding treasure there and then many years later discovering we did.
My theory is that this was a form of pirate art that they would create in off times and use for trading. I have never seen anything like it. The legend goes of a 8ft African skeleton found and native legends of a winged canoe. I wonder if it could have also been part of Sir Francis Drakes expedition or just a west coast pirate, I really do not know much about all that happened there. https://beachconnection.net/news/skelet021914_809.php
So here it is! Starting with the right cheek, We have the captain, with a long brimmed had and long black beard. it seems the scratch lines up with the hat so it might be a clue how this process was done but its not like that on every depiction. Behind him is a Ghost with long beard and dreads. The 3 circles that were his eyes and mouth had disintegrated sinceI first discovered it but I think enough remains. It could have been picked up anywhere on the beach about a mile from the site or in the cove where the cave once was. unfortunately this may have been in the sea water eroding for a couple hundred years and in the hands of a know nothing teenager.
View attachment 1999104
a better view of the captain View attachment 1999112
The Left Cheek, Much of it I could never tell what it was, but I drew on the face from what I first saw discovering this as a teenager, the face was blue, and the man had a white beard, he was holding a torch, and in the back ground another arm was reaching up to light his torch with it. all the stuff to the right I could never tell what it was.
View attachment 1999108
a closer view of the 2 torches
View attachment 1999111
the back view, at first I could not tell what it was, now its like the most identifiable evil looking skull n crossbones with very pointy cheeks and triangular eyes and double pointed chin.
View attachment 1999113
Top view, to show the symmetrical shape, and the bulge of the back part of the skull, narrowing to the faceView attachment 1999114
3/4 view, and back lit to show possibly how it was dyed or painted. View attachment 1999116
I guess I forgot to take pics of the bottom, but there is not much to look at other than a crude jaw line, with a few scratches on it. I may be able to get those later if interest abounds to show how it might have been worked.
I want to know what it may be worth, and how does one go about selling something like this?
Thanks for the interest!
Be kind, man. I always think of the saying, “there but for the grace of God go I.”This is another ridiculous attempt to convince educated rock hounds that a natural rock has been altered by human hands. I've seen it for many years on these online message boards and in person. Pareidolia is, in fact, what it is and that's ALL! Trying to save face is not a good reason to keep digging your hole deeper and deeper and finally bury yourself in it. Wake up man and you may learn something. Put all those pretty rocks you've found in a tumbler and shine 'em up. Maybe then they can be used as settings in cheap costume jewelry.
Edit: I recommend moving this to the geofact forum.