Hi Linda:
We are all looking for the straight story, rather than the constant dribble of innuendos and so called "facts" everyone has been fed for so many years.
And those interested have also seen Joe, Gary and Billy in Ryan's videos #7 and #8 and heard directly from them the facts about these stones. I must admit a sense of disappointment, having speculated that the original stones Travis claimed to have found had never been out of and remained in the family's possession to this day. But Joe's and Garry's words, beginning about six minutes into Video #8 had shaken that belief.
I was also somewhat disappointed, but not surprised, to have another theory of mine ridiculed, not just on these sites, but in the video as well. That particular theory was based on a belief in the heart stone being a genuine artifact and possibly found by Travis already broken and repaired as seemed apparent in the "bumper photo". I had suggested that the glue used in such a circumstance, ie: over a hundred years or more ago, could have been manufactured from pine sap (gum). That possibility did not arise from a vacuum, but from prior study and a practical knowledge of historical artifacts and back country survival methods. I mistakenly assumed that at least a couple of folks would at least look it up. Or that those who shared such knowledge would comment on the possibility. For those who didn't then, and considering the most recent "revelation" that the heart stone was broken by Travis' father, who panicked for some reason and used cement from a tire and tube patching kit to put it back together, you might Google where such cement (glue) came from....the most common and primary ingredient being rubber gum ( aka tree sap).
To make it easy for those who might be interested....
How To Make Pine Pitch Glue Primative Skills
https://www.google.ca/search?q=glue...nYjIXKAhVH1h4KHcC0AlwQsAQIPw&biw=1161&bih=596
Some generalized info on natural adhesives....including tree saps of various types.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adhesive
Regards:SH.