Friday 30 October 2015

22 Ancient Ship Wrecks NEVER Scientifically Studied

And every time we say "We can learn no more about ancient history" along come another 22 ships!

Shipwrecks were the stuff of lore around the craggy coasts of Fourni, a Greek archipelago close to Turkey in the eastern Aegean Sea. Generations of local fishermen and sponge divers had seen piles of ancient pottery collecting algae on the seafloor. Last month, a group of marine archaeologists finally investigated the waters, and their wealth of findings far exceeded expectations.

During the very first dive of the expedition, the team found the remains of a late Roman-period wreck strewn with sea grass in shallow water. By day 5, the researchers had discovered evidence of nine more sunken ships. The next day, they found another six. By the time the 13-day survey was finished, the divers had located 22 shipwrecks— some more than 2,500 years old — that had never been scientifically documented before.

"I think we were all shocked," said Peter Campbell, co-director of the project from the U.S.-based RPM Nautical Foundation. "We were expecting three or four wrecks, and we would have been very happy."

[See Photos of the Newly Discovered Greek Shipwrecks]

Ancient shipwreck graveyard from Roman and Medieval eras discovered near Greece

Just how many more wrecks are hidden around Fourni — which lies between the islands of Samos and Icaria — is anyone's guess, Campbell said. The expedition turned up doomed vessels from the Archaic period (700-480 B.C.) to the late medieval period (16th century A.D.), from depths of 180 feet (55 meters) to as shallow as 10 feet (3 m). And yet, this initial survey covered merely 17 square miles(44 square kilometers), just 5 percent of the archipelago's coast. Previously, about 180 ancient shipwrecks had been well-documented in all of Greece's territorial waters. These new discoveries add 12 percent to the total number of known wrecks, the leaders of the project said.

"In a survey, you don't really choose what you're going to find — you just dive," George Koutsouflakis, the Greek director of the survey, from the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities, told Live Science. "We knew already that Fourni was a hub in navigation in the Aegean, so we had some expectations, but the results surprised us. The importance of this place was underestimated."

Though Fourni didn't have major cities, it was notable in the ancient world for its location along Aegean crossing routes, both east-west and north-south. Early Imperial Roman sources say that Fourni was very prosperous, had a robust population and had marble mines in full operation, Koutsouflakis said. But mentions of the archipelago in late Roman texts are scant, which is why the divers were surprised that about half of the wrecks found in the survey date to this period.

"By the late Roman period, we don't really know anything about the island," Koutsouflakis said. "Fourni is hardly mentioned in the sources of that time. You see that the shipwrecks tell us a more nuanced story. The island must have maintained importance as a harbor site."

The main component of these shipwrecks, wood, isn't likely to survive centuries at the bottom of the sea, unless it is buried in mud without oxygen to fuel decomposition. So far, the wrecks that have been found around Fourni bear few traces of the vessels themselves (though future underwater excavations may change that). Instead, the divers documented messy piles of lost cargo, mostly transport vessels like amphoras, which sank with their ships close to the cliffs on Fourni's coast.

22 ancient shipwrecks found off Greece (LiveScience)

"A lot of times, you can see near the point of impact where the ships must have crashed, and then you have this scatter pile raining down the underwater slope of the cliff," Campbell said. "These aren't the nice ship-shaped piles of amphoras that you sometimes get in ships that wreck far out at sea. We probably do have some of those, but they're probably farther away from shore."

Campbell said that of the 22 newly discovered wrecks, three have unique cargos that have never been found before in Mediterranean shipwrecks: a trove of Archaic pots from nearby Samos that was probably destined for Cyprus, but didn't make it very far; a group of huge second-century A.D. amphoras from the Black Sea region; and a cache of "Sinopian carrots," or amphoras that come from Sinop on the Black Sea coast of Turkey and, as the name implies, are shaped vaguely like carrots.

Koutsouflakis and Campbell said they intend to go back to Fourni, equipped with underwater robots and other technologies, to search for more wrecks before they plan any underwater excavations. For now, they have taken artifact samples ashore for analysis at a laboratory in Athens, Greece, partly to try to find out what was on board — wine, oil, fish sauce — the ill-fated ships that met their demise at Fourni.

John Keel Would Have Loved This

Pinterest, despite twenty -20- attempts so far will NOT accept the Real Frankenstein posting link because of Keel's photo. I bet it's those Ultra-terrestrials!

The Black Beast Of Darmstadt -The True Frankenstein Story!

That's Keel (above) in younger days.

In my book, Some Things Strange And Sinister I could not resist referring to this little story. The location -and story, of course- is one I would like to visit one day, perhaps as part of a TV programme. We can all live in hope!

But here, slightly expanded on, is the chapter from STS&S.

**************************************************************

Don’t get me wrong, I find the books of John Keel [1-4] to be very good reads; they snatch you up and string you along and are very difficult to put down. Just look at the chapter headings in one of my favourites, Strange Creatures From Time & Space – “A World Filled with Ambling Nightmares”, “The Uglies and the Nasties”, “Demon Dogs and Phantom Cats,” “Creatures from the Black Lagoon,” “Winged Weirdos,” “The Great Sea Serpent of Silver Lake, New York” –and they go on.

I love them!

Whereas dear old Charles Fort either muddled his reference notes and dates by accident or deliberately [I think the former], Keel goes one better –he quotes incidents from magazine sources he has read but seems never to have followed-up to check on. In some cases he gives no original source.

I suppose that’s fine if all you want to read is a good tale that leaves you wondering “was that really true –surely he’d never put it in a book if it wasn’t?” Oh, the innocent days! However, if you are one of those people who has to find the truth whether good or bad and you are willing to work hard to get to the real source, then this is fun but very frustrating. This latter type of person is known to Ufologists, Forteans and their kind as a “kill-joy pain-in-the-ass” or “kijopitas”. My name is kijopitas!

One paragraph in Strange Creatures From Time & Space that intrigued me for years related to an incident from the (possibly, Keel wasn’t even definite on this!) 8^th Century:-

“In Germany during this same period,some huge black

animal was prowling the dark forests near Darmstadt,killing

people off like flies. Finally,a local baron fought the beast.

He managed to kill it but during the fight he suffered a wound

which led to his death. A statue was erected to him in the

tomb of his castle,both of which are still standing.”

Above Tower and ruins of Castle Frankenstein -Pascal Rehfeldt
CC BY-SA 3.0

There are two things of interest here. Firstly, if –if—Keel was referring to the incidents I think he was, and the previous paragraph had the details almost right, then we are talking about the 8^th century. Keel was, like many after him, basing his account on one of the biggest offenders in the “I don’t need to quote sources” brigade –Harold T. Wilkins [5] but it is worth mentioning the Mesopotamian incident.

A 9^th century document from Mesopotamia reports that, some time “before” AD 774, the Abdin Rock region was the scene of between “twenty to 100” people being killed by mysterious beasts. The animals were “similar to wolves but with ears like a horse and a ridge of bristly hair along their spines” and they apparently entered houses in villages from which they carried off children, probably adults also, though children would have been the easier prey. These creatures demonstrated no fear of men and would even turn and attack anyone who was chasing them.

I have yet to see one writer on mysteries positively identify these “mystery beasts” –of course, doing so would negate the “mystery” aspect. So, let me tell you now that, as a naturalist, the description is clear enough –hyaena. It sounds like the beasts had obviously been kept by humans, as demonstrated by their lack of fear of Man [a very bad sign] and entering native huts in Africa to run off with children or adults is not unknown. The behaviour, which is unusual,seems to indicate these animals must have been starving and humans were easy prey [6 & 7].

Standbild des hl. Georg in der Michaelskapelle auf der Burg Hohenzollern
CC BY-SA 3.0

Now, if the Black Beast was seen around this period we must be talking early-to-mid 8^th century. This brings me to the second interesting point, for me.

Along with Professor Alayne Street-Perrott, of the Exotic Cat Project, University of Wales Swansea, I have been looking at the history of menageries from ancient times up until the 1970s. We are both aware of reports of “black beasts” attacking and killing livestock and people.

For example; around AD 940, in the area around Flixton, Yorkshire, a large black animal with a long tail, “glowing eyes” [reflecting light] and nasty smell was killing livestock, dogs and people. The details that exist seem to very strongly point to a black leopard –odd though this sounds, such animals were regularly given as gifts between royalty or powerful chiefs. Having been kept by humans there would be no real fear of these. Sheep make easy meals with hardly any effort required to chase or kill. Dogs are, unfortunately, something the leopard has a keen taste for [8].

Georg von Frankenstein 1531, Nieder-Beerbach

So, when someone mentions a “black beast” on a killing spree around the mid-8^th century I need to chase down the source and see whether a big cat was involved or not. Well, for about 15 years I was searching any records or source possible for references to a “black beast” and came up with none. Then it occurred to me that, perhaps, the expression “black beast” was not referring to the animals colour but to a creature being evil –as in “he was a black-hearted swine”?

Obviously a search for statues built inside tombs was difficult and I gave up on trying to find any such thing. So, in desperation I did what I should have done at the very outset: looked at castles in Darmstadt. This came up with a surprise or two.

The village of Frankenstein sits on the northern edge of the Magnetberg mountain range near Darmstadt and would have been a forested, wild region at one time with deer, boar, bears, lynx and much more. A friend sent me the following information that is handed out to those interested in attending the yearly “Halloween Bash”:-

“Originally the residence of Lord Konrad Dippel von Frankenstein

during the 1500s,Frankenstein Castle’s myths and legends overshadow

its actual history. Legend has it that von Frankenstein exchanged his

soul for the secrets to eternal life. He was allegedly found dead in his

laboratory,foaming at the mouth and surrounded by various body parts

he had stolen from area cemeteries….many people believe that writer

Mary Shelley heard this tale during a trip to Germany in 1814 and used

it [and the castle] as the inspiration for her famous novel.”

Tourist information. Wonderful stuff. Actually, the castle is mentioned in documents dating back to 1252, though recent document discoveries in Leipzig mention “burg Frankenstein” in the year AD 948.

The name “Frankenstein” probably refers to the Franks while “stein” means stone –probably indicating and ancient site had probably existed there long before the 10^th century. When someone has the word “von” in their names it simply indicates their origins Ludwig von Dresden simply means Ludwig from Dresden. Just as English names indicate ancestral employment –“Cutter” probably being from the cloth trade, ”Stockman” someone who had been involved in livestock trade and, of course, ”Hooper” being someone who put the hoops around wooden beer barrels.

Every source indicates that Johann Konrad Dippel von Frankenstein [1673-1734], an educated physician was a mad scientist, using the isolated castle to carry out experiments in alchemy and sought the answer to the ultimate challenge to science of the day –immortality. It is said that Johann gathered parts of butchered animals and human corpses but not to sew together and charge with electricity but to boil down in large vats; muscle, skin,bone, hair, blood, organs –more strange and sinister than anything you’ll encounter in the dark. And human to boot. The villagers (there had to be angry villagers,right?) got wind of things, probably quite literally, and exiled him from the town.

It seems to be documented that Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, according to some but I’ve found nothing. We know that she and her husband Percy Bysshe Shelley visited France and Switzerland in 1816 and that while staying near Geneva, their friend Lord Byron issued a challenge to write a ghost story. While at Eton college Mary had been fascinated by the electrical experiments of Luigi Calvani –creating electric shocks to make a dead frogs legs jerk. That, we know from her own words, is where she got the inspiration for Frankenstein, though the name may have been one she had heard while on her European tour.

So, all of that is pure bunkum. However, a well known traveller and collector of stories, John Keel may have visited the castle and gotten the details mixed up. A von Frankenstein did fight a beast and die from his wounds.

George von Frankenstein was the son of Phillip von Frankenstein and Margarethe Boeckle. George died in 1531 –the 16^th not 8^th century. The legend has it that, in a river called Katzenborn, near to Nieder-Beerbach, lived a dragon that spent each day terrorizing the locality. As in all such stories, the only way the villagers could pacify the dragon and make it return to the river was to sacrifice the most beautiful young woman in the valley. On this particular occasion the sacrifice was to be the “rose of the valley,” Anne Marie.

Now, it turned out that George secretly loved Anne Marie and when he returned from a military expedition, heard what was to take place. George, still clad in his armour, arrived in time and fought the dragon in a mighty and long battle. As the opportunity presented itself, George dealt the dragon a death-blow, sending the dragon twisting in agony. Knight George had saved Anne Marie but, as it writhed in its death-throes, the dragon curled its tail around George’s leg and jabbed his knee with a venom from a spur on its tail-tip.

George was returned to the castle where he died. What happened to Anne Marie –who knows. Here is the interesting part; George was buried in Nieder-Beerbach and his tomb is located in the town churchyard –the tomb is carved and features a knight stepping on the head of a dragon, with the creature’s tail wrapped around the hero’s leg! Superstitious people confused Knight George with Saint George.

Whether the “dragon” symbolized a real beast or a pagan enemy we cannot say. It may even be that George died after being bitten by some animal [ with rabies] – a bear or any one of half a dozen I could come up with. Even an exotic is not out of the question since crocodiles are recorded living in the wild in Britain.

But at least I now know that there was a knight who died and that the beast said to be involved was a dragon –dragons looking like serpents which represented the Biblical evil in Adam and Eve and thusly “black-hearted”. Short story, long explanation!

References.

[1] Keel, John A., UFOs: Operation Trojan Horse, Putnam,NY,1970

[2] The Cosmic Question,Panther,London,1978

[3] Our Haunted Planet,Futura,London,1975

[4] Strange Creatures From Time & Space,Sphere,London,1979:

p.26 for the “Black Beast” story. Republished in 1994 as The

Complete Guide To Mysterious Beings.

[5] Wilkins, Harold T., Mysteries Solved and Unsolved, Odhams,London,

1959:p.197

[6] Ibid 4:p.26

[7] Bord,Janet & Colin, Alien Animals, Book Club associates,London,1980

pp.68 & 69

[8] Harris, John, The Ghost Hunters Roadbook” [no longer available refers to this

particularly nasty beasty.

http://www.lulu.com/shop/terry-hooper-scharf/some-things-strange-sinister/paperback/product-14958906.html

Some Times The Fakery Goes Too Far -Bear on Mars....oh boy

It has often been said that if a genuine extra terrestrial spacecraft and aliens were filmed and posted to the internet (especially You Tube) no one would believe it. The same applies to genuine Sasquatch or even unknown sea creature footage/photos.

With findings in space no one is that interested because the internet prefers to promote "floating spoon on Mars" or "Buddha statue on Mars" or even "Imps"/"Creature" or now a bear....a feckin bear. WHAT does it eat -rock? Dust? In a subterranean jungle world and just pops out now and again for fresh air.

Seriously, I have no idea if the person involved has a mental disorder, a sense of humour or GENUINELY believes this crap but it's far more important than water or oxygen found off-Earth, right?

Cranky morning.

SHOCK PICTURE: Call for UN probe after 'Bear pictured walking on Mars'

AN alien investigator has called for a United Nations probe into "discoveries of life on Mars" amid claims Nasa is ignoring "evidence" of animals on the Red Planet, including the latest so-called discovery - a bear.

By Jon Austin

http://www.express.co.uk/news/science/614767/SHOCK-PICTURE-call-for-UN-probe-after-Bear-pictured-walking-on-Mars?ref=yfp

NASA

Is this a bear or just an optical illusion?

An image taken from Nasa's online database of Mars photographs has been posted online by UFO hunters amid claims it "clearly" shows a bear or other four-legged mammal walking on the surface of the Red Planet.

One of them, Scott C Waring, who edits website UFO Sightings Daily, is convinced it is a bear and the real deal.

He posts, on an almost daily basis an array of the Nasa images - which are taken by its 4WD Curiosity Rover currently exploring the Martian surface and beamed back to Earth - and points out what he says are "aliens, crabs, statues, buildings, other objects, and even crashed UFOs" hidden among the rocks.
Of the latest find, he said: "This creature has real hair as seen from the shadows around its body. That means its not a statue, but a living creature.

"This bear-like animal was discovered by Paranormal Crucible of Youtube.

NASA

Zoomed in: Mammal on Mars or odd rock formation?

GETTY

The real thing back home on planet Earth

"He has been making some great discoveries lately and this one takes that cake.

"I took the screenshots above directly from the NASA URL he gave, and I confirm, it is there."
Paranormal Crucible itself made no claim of it being a bear, but suggested it was a possible "hybrid rodent" or prarie dog-type creature.

The channel is also convinced it is proof of well-evolved animals roaming the Red Planet.
The narrator said: "It would appear, judging by this official Nasa image, that Mars does indeed have a species of rodent.

"But whatever this strange creature truly is, it confirms yet again that exotic Martian life does really exist on the Red Planet."

NASA•UFOSIGHTINGSDAILY

Bear or monkey? Scott Waring has coloured it brown and added a tail, which bears don't have

No. No "Unknown" Posters and Ghost Adventures

Above: "Trust me" Like Hell!

It is a strict policy that if you make a comment, an argument, against something I have posted you USE your name. Silly pseudonyms are not allowed because (a) it allows spammers and flamers in and (b) WHY be anonymous?

You decide.

BUT to answer a point....I was a BIG supporter of Ghost Adventures and I always made that point in my postings. So, "Unknown" -YOU do YOUR research.

Nick Groff going back to Bobby Mackey's after SWEARING to his wife never to go back because of the evil there that followed him home....and now he's going back for another show. Fakery.

Now, on EVERY "paranormal" programme we do not hear about ghosts just "towering black shadowmen", "demons", "Satan" popping up every couple minutes (busy guy for a being that NEVER existed in the Bible (no "fallen angel" or Devil mentioned) until much later versions were re-written. 666 -the mark of the Beast (Satan)...no. That is NOT the alleged "number of the beast" -do research.

Insects and dust particles, spider webs DO NOT count as "manifestations of spirit energy".

You REALLY believe that gawd awful acting of Zak and Billy (that seasoned ghost hunter who now screams if he hears a noise) being possessed?? Really???

Their Halloween in Ireland special -a cat call...."a banshee".....Nick records a fox scream when he's in the tower.....its a tortured woman screaming.

EVERY single location has "evil", "Demons" or some feckin' "portal" or "doorway to hell" -if the Devil never existed then Hell (both created to keep Christian followers inline) certainly did not.

It's Trash TV to have on in the background. From what it promised it has given us so many negatives -the Paranormal/haunting programmes already mentioned, but also "challenging" and hurling abuse at "spirits"....oh, and "demons". And if I hear of one more recording of a "little girl" ghost or EVPs of said little girl saying "Mommy mommy" I will scream. She's busier than Satan.

I can no longer trust the original Ghost Adventures documentary even -I cannot locate the physics professor who commented on the poltergeist video!

Three men alone...but with second film crew and staff....YOU want to stand up for them? You go ahead but I am NOT going to champion fakery or those other TV shows ""This program is for entertainment purposes only" -do you ever read that big sign at the beginning? Ghost Adventures ranks alongside Most Haunted in my opinion -a bit of time wasting TV.

I could go on and on but Ghost Adventures has finished as a subject for this blog. You want to worship Bagans go ahead. Believe what you want but do not ask me to drop my IQ level that low.