RHS1 Connector – March 2007
In this issue…Feature Article: – “The Diamond Fork Canyon Sun Stone Man”–Feature Article: – “Enigmas of the Past” — Rockhound Recipes and Tips: -Thom’s column — Feature Article: – Crystals in the 21st century; —Treasure Hunters Update: -RHS1 News.
Zircon
FUN FACT OF THE MONTH…
Zircon:
Zircon is the oldest mineral ever found. Grains of zircon nearly 4.5 billion years old were found in ancient stream beds in the hills of Western Australia. The mineral gives evidence that our planet had developed continents and water much earlier than previously believed. The early development of these crystals indicates that conditions existed for the development of life on Earth as early as 4.3 4.4 billion years ago. These indications also give understanding that other Earth-like planets may, likewise, cool much more rapidly than previously supposed, heightening the possibility of finding life on other planets throughout the universe.
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Global Rockhound Community
TREASURE HUNTING
Sun symbol carved on rock.
Archaeology and treasure hunting are one in the same thing for free lance Archaeologist Steve Shaffer of Utah. The West has a rich history of civilizations that cherished gold – and of those who took it from them. Of course, to an Archaeologist all artifacts, whether they be ancient scriptures, stone tools, or caches of gold bear much interest and value. The question of what a people would value so highly as to hide it well enough to take five centuries to find again has got to be a burning question for a person like Steve. It is the question that drives the search at Diamond Fork Canyon.
The Diamond Fork Canyon Sun Stone Man
“The petroglyph of a Monk”
The Monk is a complex hieroglyph. It’s many parts can be read in totality as a map. Some of the meanings conveyed in this drawing are that there is gold, opening, something good, or sun (portrayed by the head with the circle in it): the way to proceed (portrayed by the left arm): distance (portrayed by two perpendicular lines on the bottom of the robe). This is not a complete list but it serves to show exactly how much knowledge of these symbols it takes to be able to follow them to a point of reference. Obviously, Steve knew how to do that because they found another marker where he presumed this marker to lead. Several markers have been deciphered and followed at this date.
One symbol stood out from the others. It was the symbol of a snake. In Steve’s words about the snake symbol:
“Maprock”
It is singly the most important symbol out of all the satellite symbols in the “sun” group that I found. This little six-inch long snake carved in the sandstone at the top of an impressive panel depicts not only the land measurements and course of travel but also the land geography and where to look for a cache. Whether the cache is one of gold and silver,documents, or records of brass and lead is no known. What is known from this symbol is that whatever it indicates, it was very important to those who left it behind.
What will be found at the end of the trail is still a mystery. Research on the Sun project is ongoing. Many markers have been followed and some remain yet to be deciphered. How much more is ahead remains to be seen. We will be looking forward to the answer to this well plotted riddle.
If you would like to know more about Steve’s work, his site is in progress. You can view pictures of artifacts from other sites and see other details about Steve’s work and books at:
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Global Rockhound Community
An Inconvenient Pyramid
19Deg-18’06″N…99Deg-10’54″W
Now this is an interesting enigma the dipole opposite of last months enigma, in which archeologists were telling geologists they were wrong.
In this months enigma we have geologists telling archeologists that they are wrong….
Now if the geologist are right….That puts the archeologists in a tough spot because what we have here is an enormous circular pyramid built of stone with a lava flow around its base which geologists state is 7000 years old;
History begins at 4000 BC. 40 Century BC relates to the beginning of primeval human civilisation. In the Bible it is recalled as “the world that then existed”.
Yep! Big problem for the archeologists because no one should be running around thoughtlessly building gigantic pyramids at this era (7000 BC). Thus ruining the future theories of unborn archeologists.
Cuicuilco: Mexico seen from space.
Cuicuilco was originally founded as a farming village, but presents evidence of early religious practices including stone offerings and the use of ceramics as grave goods.
The city grew around a large ceremonial center with pyramids and an associated urban area that included plazas and avenues bordering a series of small, shallow pools. These pools were fed by runoff from the nearby hills of Zacayuca and Zacatepetl. Population at the city’s peak is estimated at 20,000 people. Site features include terraces, various buildings, fortifications, and irrigation ditches and canals.
The site of Cuicuilco is covered by a dense volcanic lava field known as the Pedregal de San Angel. The lava covers an area of approximately 80 square km, including the foothills of the Ajusco mountain range and extending down to a nearby lake shore. A 1956 study concluded that the uneven lava deposits, reaching a depth over 10 m in areas, were a major factor in the preservation of Cuicuilco.
Although parts of the large and complex site are buried by ash from volcanoes as recently as 300.A.D., other parts are buried under volcanic ash that has been dated as 7,000 years old. Despite this evidence Cuicuilco is still officially dated as from 2,000 to 4,000 years old.
So debate rages around the date of the volcanic eruption, which geologists have placed as far back as some seven thousand years, while archaeologists squarely place it at between 500 and 200 A.D.
“How do you date lava?”
Potassium-argon or K-Ar dating is a geochronological method used in many geoscience disciplines. It is based on measuring the products of the radioactive decay of potassium (K), which is a common element found in materials such as micas, clay minerals, tephra and evaporites.
Potassium (K) exists in 3 isotopes – 39K (93.2581%), 40K (0.0117%), 41K (6.7302%).
The radioactive isotope 40K decays to 40Ar and 40Ca with a half-life of 1.26×109 years. 40Ca is the most common form of Ca, however, so the increase in abundance due to K decay results in a negligible increase in total abundance making it less useful as a geochronometer. The 40Ar isotope is much less abundant however, and is therefore a more useful isotope.
As argon is a gas, it is able to escape from molten rock. However, when the rock solidifies, the decayed 40Ar will begin to accumulate in the crystal lattices. In order to determine the 40Ar content of a rock, it must be melted and the isotopic composition of the released gas measured via mass spectrometry. It is also necessary to separately measure the amount of 40K in the sample. This can be measured using flame photometry or atomic absorption spectroscopy. The ratio between the 40Ar and the 40K is related to the time elapsed since the rock was cool enough to trap the Ar. This is the key principle behind K-Ar dating.
A problem with K-Ar dating is that if there is heterogeneity in the sample, then the aliquots used for determining K concentrations and 40Ar abundances may have different K/Ar. This can lead to an inaccurate date. Argon-argon dating is a similar technique which measures the isotopic content of the same sample, so this problem can be avoided.
Due to the long half-life, the technique is most applicable for dating minerals and rocks >100,000 years old. Although it finds the most utility in geological applications, it plays an important role in archaeology. One archeological application has been in bracketing the age of archaeological deposits at Olduvai Gorge by dating lava flows above and below the deposits. It has also been indispensable in other early east African sites with a history of volcanic activity such as Hadar, Ethiopia.
If you wish to view more images of this enigma then visit the site of George And Audrey DeLange the link is below.
More Images of Cuicuilco
All the best…Indiana
Rock Hound Station 1
Global Rockhound Community
I just spotted the first robins in my front yard today so spring is coming on fast here in the North. That means a lot of RHS1 members are gearing up to get ready for hunting season again. It’s going to be a great year. Lots of water means a lot of great stuff washed up over the winter and is just waiting to be retrieved by lucky hunters. I’ll be looking forward to seeing you all in the forums. You’ll never find friends here to hunt with unless you start posting so use the forums to your advantage, folks. That’s what they are there for.
For people signing up for membership now please note Because of recent spam epidemics it is now required that your membership is manually activated.
When you sign on for membership, please don’t forget to put us in your address book so you can receive your activation notice! If your activation email bounces, your account will be deleted.
ATTENTION Spammers read this and understand it.
If you have posted a website in your profile that violates our terms of service, your membership will not be activated it will be either deleted or reported.
Once you are activated, if you post links that violate our terms of service in your profile or signature your account will be deleted or reported.
If you post adult material links anywhere on RHS1 you are risking all as we can trace you and will notify your server accounts.
Our patience is completely gone when it comes to adult material links so please do yourself and all of the rest of us a big favor and do not post those anywhere not your profile, not your signature, and definitely not in the forum – just go elsewhere to post that trash.
If you think you can slide by without notice, you haven’t been watching. . Many of our recent adult material spam posters have already lost their servers, websites, emails, etc. as a result of the reporting we are doing. You want us to work harder, we’ll work all right but you aren’t gonna like what we do, trust me on this one.
Our member’s and their children are not going to be forced to tolerate your crap anymore. When I say “leave us the heck alone” that is NOT a request. Consider this the last warning you will ever get. I hope you read it well.
Next – There are some building projects going on at RHS1. These take a bit of time to complete so please understand that we can’t just think something up and slam it on the site overnight. Building the best takes time and our members need to have patience. We think you will enjoy the results, though, so stay tuned.
If you have not noticed yet, RHS1 has a new PRO Shop so you can stock up on equipment for the field and for your lapidary shop. There are also resources in the shopper’s guide for you. Why spend the time in traffic and at the gas pumps when you can shop right from your easy chair?
I think this about covers it for now. For those in the North, enjoy spring and let us know how your hunting goes we love the news and pictures.
Life’s short rock hard.
Sal
ROCKHOUND RECIPES & TIPS
“Seasoned Chicken and Grilled Vegetables “
Well winter has finally arrived here in the Northeast.
On the 14th of February we got over 18 inches in our first real storm of the year. After I shoveled the drive away, and more importantly the grill out I was hungry.
Naturally I wanted to use the grill after the work I put into shoveling it out. After a quick trip to the store I was ready to do some cookin. This is one of those meals that is quick to prepare, and can be made out in the wild. What vegetables you use isn’t important, it works well with all types. Just remember to use ones of similar texture. In other words don’t use carrots with yellow squash or mushrooms, but with a harder vegetable like sweet potatoes and or onions.
- Seasoned Chicken
- Chicken pieces or whole chicken
- Vegetable Oil or Olive Oil
- Seasoning Salt
Rinse chicken and pat dry.
Coat thoroughly with oil.
Sprinkle generously with the seasoning salt.
Either smoke cook indirectly for 3 to 5 hours, or cook over direct heat till done.
Turn chicken or reposition it if using a whole chicken half way through cooking.
- Grilled Vegetables
- Eggplant
- Yellow Squash
- Zucchini
- Mushrooms
- Coarsely ground Black Pepper
- Garlic Salt
- Olive Oil to coat Slice Eggplant length wise into half to three quarter inch slices.
Cut Yellow Squash and Zucchini in half, then thin slice each half length wise in half again.
Leave Mushrooms whole.
Brush all with Olive Oil, and sprinkle with the Black Pepper and Garlic Salt.
Smoke cook indirectly for 1 hour or till done, or cook over direct heat for about 8 minutes per side or till tender.
For convenience you can cook the chicken at home if you want to bring this camping.
You can eat it cold or heat it up over the fire.
You can also wrap the vegetables in aluminum foil after to slice them and coat them with the oil and seasoning. Just place the foil pouch on the coals and cook about 8 minutes per side, or till a knife can easily pierce the vegetables.
About Thom…
Thom Meyer is a retired professional chef who has a degree in Culinary Arts – Also an avid camper and most importantly a person who likes to eat. Lately he has been involved in marketing and building websites when not using WordPress for them, a process of which in some circles he is considered an authority. Among his many websites that he maintains are www.recipes-4-all.com and www.wp-revealed.com
“When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro”
Hunter S. Thompson
Rock Hound Station 1
Global Rockhound Community
TRAVEL :The Tucson Visit
Ricardo and Claudia Birnie of Argentina
The Tucson Rock and Gem show was a very special show this year for RHS1 members Ricardo and Claudia Birnie of Argentina. Not only did they have a booth at this year’s event, it was also their first trip to the US. After meeting so many on the Internet through the various rockhound forums in which they participate, they finally had their chance to meet many face to face.
This is what the couple had to tell us about their experience:
Our experience is about what we saw at the Inn Suites Hotel , not much time to go to other Shows , or leave our room, just short periods when Claudia remained at the room , and I looked around and shot some pictures and met neighbors nearby.
Pictures can be seen here ; www.agatesfromargentina.com No agates this time !!
This experience at Tucson , was really unique! People we met were extremely polite , educated and very , very helpful.
To this day , we keep in our minds (and we will ,until Tucson 2008) this warm feeling and can’t wait for the next Show.
There were two days where it rained heavily and it was really cold.. One day , I went alone to “Electric Park” to purchase some blades. It was really sad to see customers running away to cover themselves from the rain , and dealers closing their tents.
New Patagonian agate 467 6 cm x 5,5 cm 155 grams
At the Inn Suites, our neighbors had the high Spirit of what a Mineral Fair has to have (and it was likely that this Spirit was spread all over Tucson during these days) . People from the US , Australia , Germany , Japan , China , India , Canada , Mexico , UK , Spain , and even from Argentina dropped by and said hello!
New Patagonian agate 462 7 cm x 4 cm 182 grams
It is to be said that it was our first experience in the US with a booth , just showing Agates , and everything was so easy going as it could be in the Provinces in our Country. No rush at all !! Some people we “met” through Internet came and visited , shot some pictures , and even bought some agates .
Claudia almost forgot about her Profession (She is an Oncologist) and was always happy and smiling.
Our web-page , this time is not about agates , just about people we met , things we saw and a great THANK YOU!! Meanwhile , our plans are to travel again to the Patagonian Region; this time it will be the longest trip (regarding time and kilometers to drive)
It sounds like those of us who missed meeting the Birnies at this year’s show will get another chance to do so next year! Make your plans early. It sounds like rooms might be booked well in advance.
Rock Hound Station 1
Global Rockhound Community
FEATURE SERIES:
THE STRANGE WORLD OF CRYSTALS REALITY AND BEYOND
This month: Sometimes the old ways are just the best ways.
Crystal. collection-Sally Taylor & Munchie
Since humans first discovered crystals they knew there was something very special about them. While rapid advancements are being made in today’s digital technology via the use of crystals, these minerals are still also in use for many purposes that many may feel a bit less than scientific, such as scrying and healing. As science becomes more informed about previously undetectable energies these old uses for crystals don’t seem quite as superstitious or mystical anymore, though. The use of crystals to help ease illness is a practice that has followed humans from culture to culture for thousands of years. Water in which crystals were placed was thought to have a healing effect on the body. Century after century, the healing nature of crystals in water was seen as mystical and metaphysical to some, and as superstitious silliness to others. Today we now know that quartz crystals will ionize water and that ionized water is good for the body.
The practice of placing crystals on parts of the body to heal it has also become not so strange as our knowledge of both our physiology and crystal energy have evolved. Crystals vibrate at frequencies particular to the type of crystal it is. Different crystals vibrate at different frequencies. Science has also found that some diseases or conditions don’t do well when exposed to different frequencies of vibrations. Some studies have indicated strongly that tumors can even be shriveled and killed by certain vibrational frequencies. Placing a stone that vibrates at frequencies damaging to the ailment upon the affected area does not seem all that strange when seen in the light of this new knowledge.
Crystals have long been thought to harmonize the spiritual self as well. Some are used to give clarity of thought or heighten awareness, some to aid to stabilize personality weaknesses such as anxiety, fear, moodiness, or anger. Today we are able to go into clinics and learn to use energies to control our bio-rhythms. The energy frequencies of crystals do the same for us, helping us adjust our own energies. The difference is that crystals emit energy that helps to adjust ours while bio-feedback teaches us to recognize when ours are flowing correctly. It is very difficult to justify one of these methods as being viewed as scientific without the other being equally recognized as such.
One of the first uses of quartz crystal was the crystal ball. Now that was a real lark, eh? Hmmm. Maybe not. It is not a lark that crystals are used in computers for their ability to absorb, store, and transmit information. Isn’t that what a crystal ball does? Some side-show act type characters who want to make money from the public will attempt to make crystal ball use and general scrying seem like a divine gift of the “special seer”. Most modern scryers, however, are more than glad to teach others to use these arts and will attest that, like dowsing (which is used by more than a few major modern corporations, utility, and mining companies), anyone can learn how.
Humans were able to sense long ago that crystals had powers that they did not understand. Science has just begun to find that these powers actually do exist. Perhaps some of the old ways are just still around because they are the best ways.
Image and info credits for this edition: Wikipedia: Ricardo and Claudia Birnie: Steve Shaffer:
Rock Hound Station 1
Global Rockhound Community