A few years ago veteran fortean researcher Peter Brookesmith wrote a fascinating article about a now largely forgotten mystery known as the Eltanin enigma. What I like about this particular mystery is that any outlandish theories were put to the sword by a mundane but still interesting solution.
The Eltanin enigma
In August 1964, The American National Science Federation Polar Research vessel Eltanin the ship photographed an unusual object at a depth of 13,500 feet approximately 1000 from Cape Horn. The object appeared to be a pole rising from the ocean floor with twelve spokes radiating from it, each ending in a sphere. All of the spokes were at 15 degree angles to each other.
Given that the object looked like an antenna there was some speculation that it could be some sort of ancient technology possibly from an ancient or an alien civilisation. One researcher, New Zealander Bruce Cathie, developed a theory that it formed part of an ancient planetary grid that is of fundamental importance to an understanding of our planet (whatever the understanding may be!).
The reality!Perhaps to save the embarrassment of earth mystery writers this enigma never got the exposure that other “mysteries” have received over the years, especially since the item has been known to biologists since 1888. It is in fact a deep sea sponge Cladorhiza concrescens which appears to be common in southern latitudes. Needless to say that the those who held more outlandish views as to its origin were less than pleased at such a mundane explanation.
Eltanin
Grid
Sponge
3 comments:
I love the FT, have done since I first came across it in the mid 80s. What I ike is that it is not overly sceptical but at the same time not so credulous either even if I tend towards the sceptic on strange phenomena. I like the idea that one measures a circle beginning anywhere
You would so enjoy Coast To Coast Radio, jams. It's broadcast worldwide and probably has a few stations in England. They also podcast. Fortean Times sounds like the print version of it.
COAST TO COAST RADIO
My favorite topics are forbidden archaeology, ghost stories, lost civilizations, numerology, dream interpretations, and psychics. Yes, I realize that it clashes with the Christian perspective, but I love woo-woo stuff. They have an open forum that ranges the gamut from UFO's to top notch scientists. You never know what you'll hear, and they leave it up to the listener to decide its validity. True Freedom Of Speech radio.
I am pretty much a sceptic on most strange phenomena (the scientist in me perhaps) but there is a lot of weird stuff out there. Most will ultimately have a mundane explanation but it is a reminder that we don't know everything. The FT is well written which is probably why it has survived for over 30 years
We dont get Coast to Coast here but I have heard of Art Bell. I will give it a listen
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