The Newport Tower

The Newport Tower
Medieval stone tower ... in Rhode Island. Does it look like any other Colonial structure you've seen? Recent carbon dating of the mortar indicates 1400s construction date (see post below).

The Westford Knight Sword

The Westford Knight Sword
Medieval Battle Sword ... in Westford, Massachusetts. Can anyone deny the pommel, hilt and blade punch-marked into the bedrock?

The Spirit Pond Rune Stone

The Spirit Pond Rune Stone
Medieval Inscription ... in Maine, near Popham Beach. Long passed off as a hoax, but how many people know the Runic language? And how is it that some of the Runic characters match rare runes on inscriptions found in Minnesota and Rhode Island? Carbon-dating of floorboards at nearby long house date to 1405.

The Narragansett Rune Stone

The Narragansett Rune Stone
Medieval Inscription ... in Rhode Island's Narragansett Bay. This Runic inscription is only visible for twenty minutes a day at low tide--is this also the work of a modern-day, Runic-speaking hoaxster?

The Westford Boat Stone

The Westford Boat Stone
Medieval Ship Carving ... in Westford, MA. Found near the Westford Knight site. Weathering patterns of carving are consistent with that of 600-year-old artifact. And why would a Colonial trail-marker depict a knorr, a 14th-century ship?

The Kensington Rune Stone

The Kensington Rune Stone
Medieval Inscription... in Minnesota. Forensic geology confirms the carvings predate European settlement of Minnesota--so did Runic-speaking Native Americans carve it?

The Hooked X Rune

The Hooked X Rune
Medieval Runic Character ... on inscriptions found in Maine, Minnesota and Rhode Island. But this rare rune was only recently found in Europe. This conclusively disproves any hoax theory while also linking these three artifacts together.

Sunday, February 5, 2012

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:

43 comments:

Anonymous said...

Amazing discovery ...Where are those artifacts now ? Are they on display anywhere ?

Ronen

David Brody said...

The artifacts are in the collection of the Arizona Historical Society, in Tucson, available for viewing by appointment.

Scott Wolter said...

David,

I don't know if I ever told you this or not, but the site you show a picture of is not the correct discovery site. Apparently, Don Burgess intentionally led us to different location to "protect" the actual location. Perhaps he thought we'd steal the real site...

Anyway, Chuck Bent, grandson of Thomas Bent, took us to actual location which is about a mile away from this spot.

Anonymous said...

Scott,

Regarding the lead artifacts in Arizona. Have you ever considered that they may have been left by the Spanish during Colonial times? They set up many missions in the Arizona region, including San José de Tumacácori Mission.

To me, it makes more sense that a group of people geared more towards colonization left these artifacts rather than a small, expeditionary force. You said yourself that these people would not have brought heavy lead to the New World, but would they have brought the skilled artisans and tools with them to mine and process the lead?

The Corss of Lorraine, known in Spanish as the Cruz de Lorena, is prevelant in many religious sects around the world and found on many Colonial Spanish artifacts.

Let me know what you think.

-Josh

Patrick Lord said...

Being a native of New England, I am surrounded by many mysterious locations. I would love to find out the truth about all these sites and artifacts. I hope Scott Wolter does a show on The Westford Knight.

David Brody said...

Josh, thanks for your post. The writing on the artifacts themselves tells the story of a group of explorers from France. I think your Spanish explorer possibility might otherwise make some sense, but why would the Spaniards identify themselves as Christianized French Jews?

-Dave

David Brody said...

Hi Patrick. Scott has examined the Westford Knight a few times. He believes the sword carving is very old. But he doesn't believe the rest of the carving (the shield and the knight's head) is anything more than the natural pitting of the bedrock. He has also examined the Westford Boat Stone (believed to be related to the Knight) in his lab and believes the weathering is consistent with what one would find on a 600-year-old artifact.

nitehawk6565 said...

what is the translation on the lead artifacts

David Brody said...

Nitehawk6565:

A number of the artifacts contain Latin wrtiting (there is also Hebrew) which essentially recounts the history of a group of Roman Jews who relocated to the Gaul region of France and in approximately 775 AD journeyed to a land they called ‘Calalus’ (presumably the American southwest). As was the case with many Jews of this period, apparently they had begun to become Christianized but also maintained many of their Jewish traditions. The writings recrount how they fought many wars with the local people, whom they called the Toltecs, eventually defeating them and ruling for more than 100 years. Finally, in 880 AD, their leader named Israel III freed the Toltecs. When Israel III died, war again broke out, this time catastrophically for the Europeans who were defeated and presumably killed and/or enslaved. The last record, telling of this final battle, is dated 895 AD.

This is a rough translation and others may interpret passages differently, but it will give you the gist of things.

Anonymous said...

Scott, have you done any study about the RH-negative blood type of the Basque people & how also their language is totally different than any other European language, and the possible genetic connections to RH-negative peoples in original Amerindians? I think you'll find something very...fascinating.-Danny Wayne Evans doc007gonz@gmail.com

A Colorful World said...

Just posted on my blog about this episode, and in doing research online, found your blog! I have added it to my blog list and my follow list. I am fascinated with all of this....live in Tucson...plan to make an appt. to see the artifacts! Thanks for having such a great blog on archaeoastronomy!

David Brody said...

Hi Marie, and welcome!

These artifacts are pretty compelling. I happened to speak to Scott Wolter yesterday and he remains convinced the geology indicates they are not a hoax. In fact, I am setting my current novel in Arizona, with a plot that is triggered by the lead artifacts and the Mustang Mountain runic inscription.

Unknown said...

The Moors were the 1st people to use Moor-Tar (Mortar). Therefore the Moors were the ones who built the Tower. In addition the Templar's were taught by Egyptian Moors. No such thing as Templar prior to Moors and all Moors were NOT Muslim. Moor, Muur , Ma'Re'or Mary are cultural terms in reference to a Nation and not religion. Moorish history goes back 50000 years and the Europeans destroyed it during the Conquistadors and the Reconstruction era! Meaning the Europeans re-made history

David Brody said...

Michael:

I have never heard the theory the Moors build the Newport Tower. I do agree that much of the knowledge the Templars acquired during the 12th and 13th centuries came from Middle Eastern and Northern African sources.

curiousLori said...

I found this blog after watching the Walter show. The comment about the Basques intrigues me. Years ago I studies Edgar Cayce's readings on Atlantis. After the last age of destructions of Atlantis, many had dispersed before the final disaster. He said that one could find the Atlantians traces in the Basque people and many had been in what is now the Yucatan (mayan racial types)and later became the mound builders of the American Indians. I find this fascinating. I also concur with the comments on the moors.

George Arnold said...

Interesting The Newport tower is on what was my family ancestral lands in Rhode Island. Or more properly Raude Island, Or The Red's Island. As in Erik.

My mother was a Reid or Red.
My last name is Arnold.

David Brody said...

George, I had never heard that explanation for Rhode Island. Fascinating! Yes, I was aware that RI Governor Arnold owned the land the Tower is on.

Anonymous said...

David,
Has anyone noticed the similarities between the tale on the Tucson artifacts and that which is told in the Book of Mormon?

David Brody said...

Re similarities between Tucson artifacts and tale told in Book of Mormon: Yes! In fact, my next novel explores exactly that similarity, along with many other ancient artifacts in the American Southwest. Coming out this fall...

james said...

I found two lead artifact both are nickel size one looks like birds head fully detailed other one don't know my email is wininger.robert@gmail.com

Jason Tryp said...

Has anyone heard of the LOS LUNAS NEW MEXICO stone with Hebrew script? It was discovered in 1850.
Here are a couple of links that deal with the dating of the script

http://econ.ohio-state.edu/jhm/arch/loslunas.html

http://youtu.be/lWWiNLMFtlk

Anonymous said...

Thank you Scott Wolter for stepping up to the plate and hopefully putting some closure to the ridicule and what not that the Bent Family ,Cyclone Covey,and many others must have endured over the last 80+ years. I have been researching the Lead Crosses for around 10 years and have made several trips to the Tucson area.Along my path I have made several discoveries that I would love to share with someone that has the same goal {the truth} as myself ..Here is an example {the picture of the dinosaur).I have to admit this threw me for a loop until I came across the Kachina Bridge Dinosaur Petroglyph which looks as if it could have been done by the same artist.My history book states that the the first Dinosaur to be scientifictly described is the Megalosaurus in 1824 by William Buckland.My belief is that unless history is written in stone or in metal that will stand against the test of time then it too will be lost probably sooner then later.To me the Lead Crosses are a world history book,written by people who had the insight to to record their journey ,their history, and maybe their demise,. The oldest known book on record is 6 pages of beaten gold with 2500 year old etruscan script that scholars have yet to decipher or maybe they just dont want to rewrite history.I truly believe I have information on the led crosses that would blow the history books out of the water.Im tired of my grand kids reading and believing fiction history arent you?

Unknown said...

---Say, I did run across a note in Grant Berkley's book - King Arthur Conspiracy, that he stated there had been found two lead artifacts in 1884 when the limekiln was being dug. He does not list a source and I'm been trying on the net, but nothing comes up. If you have his book, its on page 496, 4th paragraph. This is two years before Odohui was even there and 30 years before Manier in 1924. I will have to re-read Bryon Cummings bio but I don't think that was in it.....

this is from an inquiry I sent to the publisher and Scott. the publisher has not gotten a response but I would think this is important as it adds decades to the artifacts location


David Brody said...

Hi David. I’m copying Scott Wolter on this because I think it is potentially important information. If indeed there were lead artifacts pulled out in 1884, that is a significant development. Scott’s very good about answering emails so I’m pretty sure he’ll get back to you.

I don’t have Berkley’s book. But I did find the reference to the 1884 find on page 496 via the “peak inside” function on Amazon—Scott, you should be able to do the same.

Thanks for reaching out, David!


Unknown said...

would it be a point to get in contact with Alan Butler. Scott has a show on tonight about the civil layout of Washington DC tonight and Alan is in it.

I also contacted the publisher again by phone and she resent the email to Grant Berkley. I have a feeling he will respond but probably only to fellow publishers, authors, etc.

I would really like to see this one on the radar.

Dave

David Brody said...

David, I have been in touch with Scott Wolter and he is going to try to get in touch with Grant Berkley to try to find a source for this 1884 discovery. If you hear back from the publisher, please let me know.

Unknown said...

I have found a second reference to the metal found in the 1884. It was in the book by William D. Conner (Iron Age America) pg 176, 4th paragraph. He says the two artifacts were given to the children of some of the workers and who then “lost” them. I would think they are buried in someone’s back yard or in some “junk yard” or landfill. I don’t think that “children” would have melted them down. Also, would you be doing a show on the “furnaces” that Arlington Mallery studied. I would think that would be a whole book by itself.

That would mean they haven't travelled to far from where they were found --- anybody with a metal detector -- anybody.

Unknown said...

Scott have you looked at rare earth metals and impurities in lead artifacts? I would expect more impurities in 7th century smelted lead than 20th century reproductions. I'm a geo also. Jmbucci@sbcglobal.net

Unknown said...

Could these artifacts be related to the Belarusa Minsk era Knights Templar? I just watched the show and have been researching that area of Europe and some of the weaponry caught my attention. I remembered seeing that Anerica has the second largest Belrusa line of decendents

David Brody said...

Noneof: I have never heard of the Templars in Minsk. Can you provide some background on this? But, remember, these artifacts date back to before the Templar order was formed circa 1115 AD.

Unknown said...

The only culprit I see is none other the Eastern Roman empire (or empire of the Romans/ Byzantine empire). By the 700's, Rome was still part of the empire during the Isaurian dynasty. And the name Theodorus or Theodoros is a Byzantine male name that is common. And even though byzantine Greek is the primary language, yet Latin (both the vulgate and medieval) was still spoken in byzantine Italy and in the military. Second! They are also the only western European superpower that has a strong economy that provides wealth and resources. And not to mention a strong and defensive navy. Since some may think that the Carolingian Frankish empire is the one, yet in truth, the franks doesn't even have a centralized army by which they have to rely on dukes, counts, and often mercenaries to serve the Frankish emperor. And not only that, the franks didn't have a good navy and all the money basically went to the nobility, the emperor himself and to the church. And its highly unlikely that the Carolingians couldn't have done this. But as I also remember that there are roman ships in the bay of jars Brazil, and a sunken roman ship that is buried off the coast of Galveston bay Texas, along with roman coins found in Alabama, Illinois, Tennessee, Oklahoma, and panama and a supposed roman hoard of coins found in Venezuela. But the most controversial is none other than the Tecaxic-Calixtlahuaca Hellenistic-roman head found in Mexico that dated during the 2nd to 3rd century A.D, by the same century that the Toltec empire was at its beginning. Now as why the Byzantine Romans are the only contender to be possibly responsible. Since the empire have both duchies and themes. They still kept all the information in the library of Constantinople (before the crusaders destroyed it during the fourth crusades in 1204) and Romans tend to keep old and ancient documents, especially the routes and directions that Carthago-Phoenician sailors had once navigated. But! Lets also be realistic. I highly doubt that Romans Jews have did this, especially those crosses with Latin inscription. Romans (from Rome) and Eastern Romans (from Constantinople) could've have done this just either escaping from Saracens and Moors, went there by accident as they got caught in a storm, or they knew of the place. I mean Romans did knew of lands beyond the Atlantic, but actually going there is kinda frightening. But who knows! If they did or didn't that we need more proof and evidence.

David Brody said...

Thank you for your comment, David Garcia. The only hole in your argument is that the carvings on the artifacts themselves state that the group came from France. I think we need to take them at their word unless other evidence refutes this.

Unknown said...

Thanks for the reply, as i'm kinda surprised that you actually replied to me, since no one has done so.

Anyhow I too saw the inscriptions shown of the crosses. (even though I too learn Latin). The part of Romans coming from Francia seems suspicious, either as roman mercenaries from Rome sent to the Frankish empire or just others. And yes the franks did spoke Latin, yet they also spoke their native tongue...which is, of course francorum. But who knows. Yet! There's some inaccuracies, during my study in history, the only Jews I know are Radanites...a group of Jewish traders that brought goods to the franks. But Jews living the Frankish empire is highly unlikely, since they being persecuted or sometimes by having forced conversion. And they basically went to the emirate of Cordova for sanctuary.

Now! There's a good possibility and probability that it could be Gallo-Romans (or Gaulic Romans/ Romanized Gauls). After the fall of the western roman empire, the Gallo-Roman populace were still living in the former province that became the Frankish kingdom under the Merovingians. And they still were the majority, even as the franks took over, there were still Gallo-roman aristocracy well into the Carolingian dynasty, and Gallo-Romans often sided with Eastern Romans when Justinian was still emperor to get away from barbarian rule. Now as for Theodorus, this man is very complicated, with no doubt about it thats he's a Eastern roman, I've rechecked Frankish names and none picked up. And by the end of the Frisian-Frankish wars, Gallo-Romans with the guidance of a byzantine accidentally led them to the Americas.

Now I may not know, but Gallo-Romans and Radamite Jews (and Jews were also tolerated in Byzantium) could be the contenders in this if they came from southern Francia, but I still think it was also the Byzantine Romans who wanted to save their Gallo-roman brethren from the hardships under Frankish rule, especially as they are the ones that have ships that can sail into open ocean. And here's a map of the 8th century ad Europe.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/21/East-Hem_700ad.jpg

And thank you as I enjoyed this very much. We may have different opinions, but I always keep an opened mind to everything that can bring the possibilities. Love to discuss this even more with you.

Unknown said...

I hope I didn't gave off bad impressions in my reply, if so i apologize if i bothered you in any way, since its always good to show respect. Again thank you for replying to me.

David Brody said...

David, thanks again for your new comments. I am open to the possibility that the "Gauls" are Gallo-Romans as you suggest. But how do you explain the use of Hebrew in the inscriptions?

Unknown said...

Your welcome! I should be thanking you for this. I find this very interesting.

Before the collapse of the western roman empire and the fall of Rome, Gallo-Romans were still linguistic and educated in Latin, Greek, Celtic (if it still remained), Germanic along with minor languages like Hebrew, Numidian, and others. And Jews once had different roles, they were servants, slaves, traders, and merchants and they were certain times where both Romanized Jews (or Hellenistic Jews) and Gallo-Romans have done business together in bringing exotic goods from Persia, India, Bactria,and even china with the Radhanites (Jewish merchants that travel in the silk road to the red sea via contact with the axumite Ethiopians) where the Gallo-Romans sometimes spoke the language, but at that time Latin was still the dominant language in the WRE. And by the 476 ad the western empire is forever gone, leaving the eastern empire as its only successor. By then the catholic church became the authority, and we are starting to see intolerance.

Now as for the Hebrew inscriptions. In truth, I wouldn't be surprised if Gallo-Romans or Romans in general learned how write Hebrew, especially Jewish scholars or jewish servants or slaves living in Gallo-Roman aristocratic households. So the possibility of Romans coming to America, turned out to be educated. Even Gallo-Roman milites (western soldiers) were even educated.

And the question is...who were the Romans actually! And for what we can think of, was a collection of Gallo-Romans and Romanized Jewish servants that supposedly came to Oasisamerica (or pre-Columbian southwest America). But thats just a thought.

lb said...

This is an excellent conversation..

I came upon this thread while researching the 8th century Tuathulan character who shows up in Annals of Ulster as being a " head of the King's pastureland ". Wikipedia goes that this Cennrigmonaid was some sort of religious cleric associated with the culture near the Hadrian Wall ( the end of the road for the Romans ). The King of Pictland around this time was Angus McFergus. His descendants were constantly at war with the Norseman ( Vikings ). Kenneth MacAlpin, one of his descendants, is supposedly connected to the current UK Royals. What is interesting is the David Brodie story above which mentions Toltecs. That culture is described with words like Tollan and Nahuatl etc...it just all seems to connect the world of the Tucson crosses and the world of Tuathulan ?????????? Still just all myth until someone proves it...also the Mormon history seems to fit with this...but I had the first part of that going that Jared and his high priest brother managed to get permission from Nimrod to leave before his empire crumbled...they ended up in England and so on...somewhere around Romney...and so on...

David Brody said...

Thanks, Ib. I had not been aware of the Tuathulan connection before. I am also intrigued by your Nimrod reference--the 4th book in my series is entitled Oath of Nimrod and delves into the connection between Nimrod (a giant?), Baal, and the Freemasons.

Anonymous said...

any of your lot aware of soon to become knights being raised with very young dragons. simular to a boy and a pup only that boy becomes a knight and the dragon his loyal means of strength in combat. to add testimony earlier conversation mostly horses with armor very few dinosaurs are rode but dinosaurs of the cretaceous are evident, note something at stray for my object are less than 2000 years old not 65 mil. numerous knight are identified for shields have a different runic meaning. impressive art work beyond naked eye More so is living metal [my description] have noted 3d. been a student of life's truths time has come to share. i offer some of history truth no drama i expect only good intent, orthodox individuals not welcome. evidence abundant location south west nebraska!

JohnW said...

Any chance that the individuals responsible for the artifacts entered across the Yucatan peninsula. As I recall decline in thy Maya population occurred around this time. Could that be a result of disease, Like is blamed on the later conquistadors,rather than wars or food decline as believed.

Anonymous said...

Where can we find the translation? Can't believe you didn't cover that in the show. Love your work though.

David Brody said...

This recent book is a good place to find the translation of the Latin: http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/invited/6222986/b4f2f379b5509e2bacdd5cc6c22f8eb4d878a5f9

David Brody said...

This may be a better link:

http://donaldyates.com