Tucson Lead Artifacts

Just returned from Tucson Arizona, where I examined the Tucson lead artifacts with geologist Scott Wolter and historian Michael Carr. These artifacts were discovered in the 1920s buried about 5 feet below the desert surface in a layer of caliche (a cementing together of the desert soil and minerals) outside Tucson. There are 31 artifacts, mostly crosses, swords and spears. The artifacts appear to be ceremonial and are engraved with both Latin and Hebrew writing, along with both Christian and Jewish religious symbols. The dates on the artifacts (using Roman Numerals) range from the 8th to 10th centuries A.D. Those who support the authenticity of the artifacts theorize that they are the work of a group of Christianized Jews from southern France who somehow found their way to what is now Arizona. Based on Wolter’s microscopic examination of the buildup of mineral deposits on the artifacts, the artifacts appear to be ancient. If so, these artifacts could be among the most important finds in American archeological history. Ironically, the site where the artifacts were found is adjacent to what is now Christopher Columbus Park—perhaps it is time to rename this park?

Here is a picture of a pair of ceremonial crosses:

And here is some Hebrew writing on one of them:

Here is some Latin writing on one of the crosses:

Here is discovery site, in the desert outside Tucson:

My New Book--Thief on the Cross

My new book is now live on Kindle. Title is, "Thief on the Cross: Templar Secrets in America."

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006OQIXCG/ref=rdr_kindle_ext_tmb

Here is summary:

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Why would a collector of ancient American artifacts hand over his prized pieces to a historian and then shoot himself in the head? And why does an ancient Templar scroll in his possession refer to Jesus Christ as “The Thief on the Cross?”

The answer places historian Cameron Thorne at the dangerous intersection of secret American history and modern geopolitical intrigue. Following clues contained in both ancient American artifacts and medieval European masterpieces, Cameron and his fiancée Amanda Spencer race to uncover the true secrets of early Christianity before a splinter group of Mormon zealots silence them forever.

Just as they did in "Cabal of the Westford Knight: Templars at the Newport Tower," Cameron and Amanda discover, examine and interpret ancient artifacts and legends scattered throughout North America that reveal a history of European exploration long before Columbus. But how do the Burrows Cave stone carvings, the Bat Creek Stone, the Prince Madoc legend, the Book of Mormon and the Mandan tribe of “White Indians” relate to the medieval Templars? Only when they learn about the head of Baphomet and examine Leonard da Vinci’s Mona Lisa and Virgin on the Rocks do the pieces finally begin to fit together.

What they learn shocks them. And may get them killed.
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(Warning: The title and subject matter are a bit controversial, and may be offensive to readers with strong Christian beliefs.)

This is a “soft” release for friends and family, priced at $2.99 for the first few weeks. My hope is that early readers will notify me of any typos and also post reviews if they like the book. The physical book will be available in a few weeks.

Wolter/Brody Talk on Dec 20; Newport Tower Illumination

Scott Wolter and I will be speaking at the Bristol Masonic Lodge in North Attleboro, MA on Dec 20 at 7:30 PM. Event is open to public. We will be discussing material from our old books as well as soon-to-be-released books. And on the 19th, 20th and 21st we will be viewing the winter solstice illumination at the Newport Tower at 9:00 (hoping for clear skies on at least 1 day). Info on talk here: http://www.bristollodge.com/december2011

Westford Knight Tour July 23

This Saturday 7/23 I will be leading a free tour of the Westford Knight sites in and around Westford, MA. All are welcome. Here is our itinerary:

1. 10:15. Meet at Abbot Middle School parking lot and walk to Knight carving. Address of school is 25 Depot Street, Westford.

2. 10:45. Drive to Westford library to view Boat Stone.

3. 11:15. Drive to Tyngsboro Map Stone.

4. 12:00. Drive to Druid Hill in Lowell. Brown bag lunch at park on site.

5. 1:15. Drive to America's Stonehenge in North Salem, NH. Note there is entrance fee to get in.

Obviously, folks can skip the last site or 2 if they want(yes, I realize these sites may be only tangentially related to the Knight carving). My only request is I would like a head count. People can email me at dsbrody@comcast.net .

My cell is 978-821-1023 for anyone who may need to contact me.

Dave Brody

Discovery Channel Episode--Lack of Integrity

Below is a copy of the letter I sent to Engel Entertainment, the producers of the American Treasures "Westford Knight" episode that aired last night (March 15, 2011) on Discovery Channel, in which I was an on-air guest. Needless to say, I thought the production was lacking in journalistic integrity and academic rigor. I strongly advise other researchers not to participate in Engel Entertainment productions.

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Dear Mr. Heinzelman:

I want to formally voice my displeasure and disappointment regarding the American Treasures “Westford Knight” episode that aired last night (March 15, 2011) on Discovery Channel, in which I was an on-air guest. I was surprised by the lack of both journalistic integrity and academic rigor in the Engel Entertainment production. Specifically:

1. I was under the impression that the evidence both for and against the authenticity of the Westford Knight carving would be presented. Instead, through creative and sometimes fraudulent editing, the evidence in favor of authenticity was whitewashed from the record. At one point the host asked me for evidence in support of the carving. Instead of airing my response (I detailed a number of other artifacts, sites, maps, documents, geological reports, etc. supporting authenticity), the camera cut to an image of me with a blank face. At another point one of the hosts declared the carving could have been carved in the 1940s, when I had just shown him written evidence (off camera) that the carving existed as early as the 1860s. Viewers, of course, should be free to judge the evidence and reach their own conclusions. But for Engel to use the editing process to skew and even suppress that evidence displays a complete lack of integrity. In essence, Engel is committing fraud on its viewers.

2. Equally disturbing was the use of personal attacks and innuendo by the hosts. According to your hosts, I am a lawyer, so my inclination to “tell the truth” must be in question. Also, I, like other believers of alternative histories, may or may not be “bleeping crazy.” The hosts are supposed to be academic professionals, trained to observe and analyze. I didn’t realize name-calling and innuendo now constitute academic rigor.

I agreed to appear on this show as a way to enlist outside professionals to study and analyze the carving (despite the “staged” telephone call, Engel approached me about this project, not vice-versa). I was hoping the hosts might have some ideas on how to further study the artifact. At a minimum, I thought the publicity would help get the public behind efforts to preserve the artifact for future study. Instead, I find myself as an unwilling participant in a television production that is appallingly lacking in integrity, honesty and intellectual rigor.

I will be contacting the other researchers I know in this field and advising them to stay far away from Engel Entertainment projects. I would appreciate you passing this on to the appropriate members of your company, and to the Discovery Channel as well.

Sincerely,

David S. Brody

Discovery Channel--Westford Knight

For those interested in the Westford Knight carving, Discovery Channel is running a show featuring the Knight and Boat Stone ths week. Series is entitled “American Treasures,” episode “Witches and White Magic.” It airs Tuesday, March 15, 7:00-7:30 on Discovery, and then will probably rerun a few times. I haven’t seen it, so I don’t know if it’s any good, but they spent a full day in Westford filming in November.

New Newport Inscription

This inscription was found at low tide after a major storm in April, 2010, along the beach in Newport, RI not far from the Newport Tower. The inscription reads, "IN HOC SIGNO VINCES," which is a Latin phrase translating to, "With this as your standard you shall have victory." The slogan has been used by various military and religious groups over the centuries, including the Knights Templar. On the back side of the stone there are other markings which we have not yet identified, but one marking appears to be a Templar cross. The stone has since been reburied in the sand by the surf, but we have marked its location and will return to study it further when weather and tidal conditions allow.