Description of Event: Mrs. Kuss, a grandmother who has lived in this very rural area in central Poland all of her life,
has a bedroom on the ground floor of the farmhouse. Her large windows look out across a country road to her farm
fields which extend 150-200 meters, ending in an approximately 10m-long area of wild grasses, behind which is
forest. There are only a few other farmhouses in the area and few people.
has a bedroom on the ground floor of the farmhouse. Her large windows look out across a country road to her farm
fields which extend 150-200 meters, ending in an approximately 10m-long area of wild grasses, behind which is
forest. There are only a few other farmhouses in the area and few people.
UFO INCIDENT & TRACE ANALYSIS: GOLABKI, POLAND – 1998 by Nancy Talbott
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Event Location: Field in front of Kuss farmhouse - Golabki, Poland
Date/Time Occurred: July or early August, 1998 - approximately 2 a.m.
Witness: Mrs. Evelina Kuss, interviewed July 19, 2003
Interviewed By: Nancy Talbott (follow-up of original interview by Robert Bernatowicz)
Translator: Slawek Paruszewski Field Samplers: Milosz Kuss, Robert Bernatowicz
Materials Sampled: Black/green "stone," and soils
Analyses By: Nick Reiter (SEM/EDS); Phyllis Budinger (Infrared Spectroscopy)
Date/Time Occurred: July or early August, 1998 - approximately 2 a.m.
Witness: Mrs. Evelina Kuss, interviewed July 19, 2003
Interviewed By: Nancy Talbott (follow-up of original interview by Robert Bernatowicz)
Translator: Slawek Paruszewski Field Samplers: Milosz Kuss, Robert Bernatowicz
Materials Sampled: Black/green "stone," and soils
Analyses By: Nick Reiter (SEM/EDS); Phyllis Budinger (Infrared Spectroscopy)
NANCY TALBOTT Has
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turned the crop circle
mystery into a credible
scientific examination.
Talbott gives endless
amounts of her time and
resources to investigating
crop formations. She has
helped to produce one of
the most credible and
amazing scientific papers
concerning crop
formations. Talbott's
dedication, use of sound
science, and her well
grounded reasoning
make her a rare
commodity in this field
and she gives the subject
a much needed shot of
reality.
Her website is
www.bltresearch.com/
| Copyright © 2009 JFS |
Mrs. Kuss reports that it was about 2 am (in July or perhaps early August) and she couldn't fall asleep: "I don't
know why, but I couldn't. And suddenly the room simply became all red ... the whole room became red because
there was something glowing outside the window. I saw this object in the sky. It had the shape of an ellipsis and
glowed in red, a very intense red. ... And it was very slowly lowering itself onto the field. The glow from this thing
was enormous. The whole object was emitting such light that it reminded me of a bright ball, but with a distinctive
shape inside the glow. And it was going down, very, very slowly."
know why, but I couldn't. And suddenly the room simply became all red ... the whole room became red because
there was something glowing outside the window. I saw this object in the sky. It had the shape of an ellipsis and
glowed in red, a very intense red. ... And it was very slowly lowering itself onto the field. The glow from this thing
was enormous. The whole object was emitting such light that it reminded me of a bright ball, but with a distinctive
shape inside the glow. And it was going down, very, very slowly."
At first Mrs. Kuss thought it might be a meteorite, but realized it couldn't be because it was descending so slowly.
Sometimes it even "stopped" for awhile and would then continue its descent. The object, which was about 150
meters away from her, appeared to be 3-4 meters across. "I think it could have been several meters in length ... I
saw it very clearly, it wasn't very far away, glowing like a piece of [hot] iron. There had been wheat [in the field]
which my son had sown, but it had been reaped already. And I thought that, since this fire landed there, the field
might catch on fire from it. I even wanted to wake up my family, but the light began to dim. It was dimming out
very, very slowly. I saw that nothing was on fire, so I went to bed and in the morning during breakfast I told my
family about it, I said that this object had landed there. And I showed them exactly where it landed."
Mrs. Kuss reports that about 15 minutes elapsed from the moment she first saw the red glow in her bedroom until
the object landed and became so dim she could no longer see it. She continued to observe the field for about
another hour before finally going to bed. She reports that she noticed no unusual smell and experienced no tingling
of the skin or other possible electromagnetic effects, and she doesn't recall hearing any unusual animal noises. The
object itself was silent. There are no street-lights in her area and none of the lights in her house (or the radio or
TV) were on, so she is unaware of any electrical interference which may have been caused by the object. The only
clock observed in the house was hand-wound.
Retrieval of "Stone": The morning after witnessing the UFO Mrs. Kuss told her family, including her grandson
Milosz, about the event at breakfast. After attending to his chores, Milosz walked down to the end of the field to
see if he could find any traces of the event the night before. At the end of the plowed field there is a 10-meter-long
area of wild grasses & bushes before the forest. Milosz saw no sign of anything having been burned, instead finding
approximately 10-15 "stones" placed on top of the grasses in an "irregular" circle or ellipse. "I knew straight-away
that they had to have something to do with the object. There were several of them...mostly the size of a
basketball, maybe slightly smaller. ... They made an irregular circle, they were scattered somewhat irregularly, as if
by chance...or as if someone had put them there delicately. Their weight pressed the ground beneath them a little.
There were no traces of anything burnt. There was this smallest stone in the middle and I took it immediately. ...
But the other stones were very heavy and I couldn't lift them [Milosz was 11 years old at the time]. They were dark
green in color, like a green glass bottle and they were somewhat oval in shape...as if something solidified in huge
drops. Their color was exactly the color of the stone I took."
Sometimes it even "stopped" for awhile and would then continue its descent. The object, which was about 150
meters away from her, appeared to be 3-4 meters across. "I think it could have been several meters in length ... I
saw it very clearly, it wasn't very far away, glowing like a piece of [hot] iron. There had been wheat [in the field]
which my son had sown, but it had been reaped already. And I thought that, since this fire landed there, the field
might catch on fire from it. I even wanted to wake up my family, but the light began to dim. It was dimming out
very, very slowly. I saw that nothing was on fire, so I went to bed and in the morning during breakfast I told my
family about it, I said that this object had landed there. And I showed them exactly where it landed."
Mrs. Kuss reports that about 15 minutes elapsed from the moment she first saw the red glow in her bedroom until
the object landed and became so dim she could no longer see it. She continued to observe the field for about
another hour before finally going to bed. She reports that she noticed no unusual smell and experienced no tingling
of the skin or other possible electromagnetic effects, and she doesn't recall hearing any unusual animal noises. The
object itself was silent. There are no street-lights in her area and none of the lights in her house (or the radio or
TV) were on, so she is unaware of any electrical interference which may have been caused by the object. The only
clock observed in the house was hand-wound.
Retrieval of "Stone": The morning after witnessing the UFO Mrs. Kuss told her family, including her grandson
Milosz, about the event at breakfast. After attending to his chores, Milosz walked down to the end of the field to
see if he could find any traces of the event the night before. At the end of the plowed field there is a 10-meter-long
area of wild grasses & bushes before the forest. Milosz saw no sign of anything having been burned, instead finding
approximately 10-15 "stones" placed on top of the grasses in an "irregular" circle or ellipse. "I knew straight-away
that they had to have something to do with the object. There were several of them...mostly the size of a
basketball, maybe slightly smaller. ... They made an irregular circle, they were scattered somewhat irregularly, as if
by chance...or as if someone had put them there delicately. Their weight pressed the ground beneath them a little.
There were no traces of anything burnt. There was this smallest stone in the middle and I took it immediately. ...
But the other stones were very heavy and I couldn't lift them [Milosz was 11 years old at the time]. They were dark
green in color, like a green glass bottle and they were somewhat oval in shape...as if something solidified in huge
drops. Their color was exactly the color of the stone I took."
Milosz brought the one "smaller" stone back to the house and told the family what he had found. A day or two later
he took a wheelbarrow with him down to the end of the field in an attempt to retrieve the rest of the "stones." But
when he got there the stones were no longer there. When asked if people could have taken the stones he was
certain that this was very unlikely: "People? I don't think so...this is a wild, uninhabited place. Nobody walks here.
Who would go into our field and take such heavy stones? I don't think they were taken by people, but rather by an
object similar to the one that landed here."
When I questioned Milosz's parents they confirmed that there were very few residents in the area, and that the
only people who ever went into their fields were themselves when they had to work to do. Other farmers in the
region would have all been busy with their own crops and they knew of no one who might have even known about
the UFO sighting, or the existence of the "stones."
he took a wheelbarrow with him down to the end of the field in an attempt to retrieve the rest of the "stones." But
when he got there the stones were no longer there. When asked if people could have taken the stones he was
certain that this was very unlikely: "People? I don't think so...this is a wild, uninhabited place. Nobody walks here.
Who would go into our field and take such heavy stones? I don't think they were taken by people, but rather by an
object similar to the one that landed here."
When I questioned Milosz's parents they confirmed that there were very few residents in the area, and that the
only people who ever went into their fields were themselves when they had to work to do. Other farmers in the
region would have all been busy with their own crops and they knew of no one who might have even known about
the UFO sighting, or the existence of the "stones."
Milosz reported additional details about the stones, in particular that the stone he had retrieved "glowed." "This is
the most important part...I noticed the following night ... that this stone gives away a delicate glow in the night. I
mean, the light was greenish and only the edges were giving away the light. They [the lights] were like small glowing
flames, or sparkles...it's hard to describe, but it was amazing."
When asked if the whole edge of the stone was glowing he said that the stone had sharp edges all over it and that
the "glowing points were on the edges." He reports that it continued to glow at night for about half a year and then
stopped.
Milosz also clarified that some of the stones were as big as cinder-blocks, with some rough edges like the smaller
stone he retrieved, and all a dark greenish color. The stone he recovered is now more black than green, but it has
multiple light-green inclusions (which are visible in good light). Since it appears that these may have been
fluorescing when the rock was first recovered, this may be why he describes the stones as basically green, rather
than black.
Sampling of Soils: In the late summer of 1998 Milosz and his family could find no one who was particularly
interested in investigating this event (in spite of the fact that other very strange occurrences had been reported
from time to time by other people in the surrounding area). The family discussed the sighting with a few people
locally, but found that their story was laughed at, and they were not taken seriously.
In the summer of 2000 a photo of a large crop circle which had been found in a field in the nearby village of
Wylatowo, appeared in many Polish newspapers--attracting the attention of Warsaw radio reporter Robert
Bernatowicz. Bernatowicz, who is the head of The Nautilus Foundation (a group interested in unexplained
phenomena), visited Wylatowo to examine the crop formation personally, and soon met Milosz Kuss. Once
acquainted, Milosz related the story about his grandmother's sighting and his retrieval of the "stone" from the field.
Mr. Bernatowicz followed up with in-depth interviews with Milosz, Evelina Kuss and others in the area, documenting
as many details as he could. Needing access to more sophisticated technical analyses than he could find in Poland,
Bernatowicz eventually contacted the BLT Research Team Inc. in the U.S. for assistance. In addition to requiring
pieces of the stone for analysis, BLT requested that soil samples be taken from the area where the stone had been
found, and these were provided by Milosz during the late spring of 2003. A surface soil sample (down to a depth of
4 inches) was taken from the grassy area where the rock had been recovered, as well as control soil from the
plowed field up closer to the farmhouse. The rock pieces and soils were then shipped to the BLT office in
Cambridge, Massachusetts.
(SEM/EDS analysis)
Laboratory Analysis (SEM/EDS): On June 3, 2003 two rock fragments were submitted to BLT-consultant Nick
Reiter, of the Avalon Foundation, for scanning electron microscopy/electron dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS)
and other examinations. A few weeks later soil samples were also submitted. Mr. Reiter's Lab Report follows.
the most important part...I noticed the following night ... that this stone gives away a delicate glow in the night. I
mean, the light was greenish and only the edges were giving away the light. They [the lights] were like small glowing
flames, or sparkles...it's hard to describe, but it was amazing."
When asked if the whole edge of the stone was glowing he said that the stone had sharp edges all over it and that
the "glowing points were on the edges." He reports that it continued to glow at night for about half a year and then
stopped.
Milosz also clarified that some of the stones were as big as cinder-blocks, with some rough edges like the smaller
stone he retrieved, and all a dark greenish color. The stone he recovered is now more black than green, but it has
multiple light-green inclusions (which are visible in good light). Since it appears that these may have been
fluorescing when the rock was first recovered, this may be why he describes the stones as basically green, rather
than black.
Sampling of Soils: In the late summer of 1998 Milosz and his family could find no one who was particularly
interested in investigating this event (in spite of the fact that other very strange occurrences had been reported
from time to time by other people in the surrounding area). The family discussed the sighting with a few people
locally, but found that their story was laughed at, and they were not taken seriously.
In the summer of 2000 a photo of a large crop circle which had been found in a field in the nearby village of
Wylatowo, appeared in many Polish newspapers--attracting the attention of Warsaw radio reporter Robert
Bernatowicz. Bernatowicz, who is the head of The Nautilus Foundation (a group interested in unexplained
phenomena), visited Wylatowo to examine the crop formation personally, and soon met Milosz Kuss. Once
acquainted, Milosz related the story about his grandmother's sighting and his retrieval of the "stone" from the field.
Mr. Bernatowicz followed up with in-depth interviews with Milosz, Evelina Kuss and others in the area, documenting
as many details as he could. Needing access to more sophisticated technical analyses than he could find in Poland,
Bernatowicz eventually contacted the BLT Research Team Inc. in the U.S. for assistance. In addition to requiring
pieces of the stone for analysis, BLT requested that soil samples be taken from the area where the stone had been
found, and these were provided by Milosz during the late spring of 2003. A surface soil sample (down to a depth of
4 inches) was taken from the grassy area where the rock had been recovered, as well as control soil from the
plowed field up closer to the farmhouse. The rock pieces and soils were then shipped to the BLT office in
Cambridge, Massachusetts.
(SEM/EDS analysis)
Laboratory Analysis (SEM/EDS): On June 3, 2003 two rock fragments were submitted to BLT-consultant Nick
Reiter, of the Avalon Foundation, for scanning electron microscopy/electron dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS)
and other examinations. A few weeks later soil samples were also submitted. Mr. Reiter's Lab Report follows.
Physical Form: The two glassy stones are shown in the color photos, above. As may be seen, the larger sample
(before being later split in two) was approximately 1.2 cm long; the smaller was slightly less than 1 cm. Both are
seen to be of similar color, a very dark green-black. We also observe that small (< 2mm) bubbles and voids are
present in both, consistent with the immediately apparent notion that these samples are essentially glass.
EDS and Comparative Analysis: EDS scans taken from assorted spots on both stone samples are quite
consistent. We find Si (silicon), O (oxygen), Al (aluminum), Mg (magnesium), Ca (calcium), K (potassium) and minor
amounts of Fe (iron) and Ti (titanium).
(before being later split in two) was approximately 1.2 cm long; the smaller was slightly less than 1 cm. Both are
seen to be of similar color, a very dark green-black. We also observe that small (< 2mm) bubbles and voids are
present in both, consistent with the immediately apparent notion that these samples are essentially glass.
EDS and Comparative Analysis: EDS scans taken from assorted spots on both stone samples are quite
consistent. We find Si (silicon), O (oxygen), Al (aluminum), Mg (magnesium), Ca (calcium), K (potassium) and minor
amounts of Fe (iron) and Ti (titanium).
Other Properties:
(1) No noticeable radioactivity was observed upon testing with a Geiger counter;
(2) No fluorescence was observed in the visible portion of the spectrum when samples were exposed to both long-
and short-wave UV.
(3) Neither sample was magnetic.
Discussion: Two analogous materials may be found which resemble these samples. A semi-precious gemstone
originally derived from ancient meteoric glass in the region of the Moldau River--called Moldavite--resembles our
samples somewhat in form, but not necessarily in color, as Moldavite is usually a brighter and lighter green.
However the samples do very much resemble vitrified soil, produced by a well-known toxic or nuclear waste
remediation process known as ISV: in-situ vitrification. In this process electrical arcs are made to flow deep into soil
areas contaminated with toxic wastes or radioactive substances, liquifying the soil components and producing a
non-permeable glassy material as the liquid soils cools. This glassy residual can then either remain safely
underground (since the toxic wastes are now contained) or can be subsequently safely hauled away.
(1) No noticeable radioactivity was observed upon testing with a Geiger counter;
(2) No fluorescence was observed in the visible portion of the spectrum when samples were exposed to both long-
and short-wave UV.
(3) Neither sample was magnetic.
Discussion: Two analogous materials may be found which resemble these samples. A semi-precious gemstone
originally derived from ancient meteoric glass in the region of the Moldau River--called Moldavite--resembles our
samples somewhat in form, but not necessarily in color, as Moldavite is usually a brighter and lighter green.
However the samples do very much resemble vitrified soil, produced by a well-known toxic or nuclear waste
remediation process known as ISV: in-situ vitrification. In this process electrical arcs are made to flow deep into soil
areas contaminated with toxic wastes or radioactive substances, liquifying the soil components and producing a
non-permeable glassy material as the liquid soils cools. This glassy residual can then either remain safely
underground (since the toxic wastes are now contained) or can be subsequently safely hauled away.
Additional Testing: The observation by the original discoverer of the glassy rock, indicating a long-term
phosphorescence or fluorescence continued to intrigue us. We requested additional samples, specifically from the
lighter-green "veins" reported to be visible in the stone, and in December, 2003 did receive an additional small (<
2mm diam.) light green glassy shard for analysis.
EDS revealed the composition of this new sample to be quite similar to the samples already examined; however,
SEM photography revealed that this shard was quite "foamy" in appearance, infused with tiny air-bubbles and
voids, typical for ceramics. These air bubbles are thought to account for the overall much lighter green coloration in
some areas of the retrieved stone.
phosphorescence or fluorescence continued to intrigue us. We requested additional samples, specifically from the
lighter-green "veins" reported to be visible in the stone, and in December, 2003 did receive an additional small (<
2mm diam.) light green glassy shard for analysis.
EDS revealed the composition of this new sample to be quite similar to the samples already examined; however,
SEM photography revealed that this shard was quite "foamy" in appearance, infused with tiny air-bubbles and
voids, typical for ceramics. These air bubbles are thought to account for the overall much lighter green coloration in
some areas of the retrieved stone.
The new sample was also examined under long- and short-wave UV lamps, but no fluorescence was noted. This
suggests that the original "luminous" quality reported by the rock's finder was short-lived and non-reversible. This
sample was also examined by Geiger counter, with no rise in count-rate over ambient noted.
An anecdote from this researcher's past, though, may be germane. In years past I had worked at a major glass
company in Toledo, Ohio, as a technician involved with vacuum depositing of coatings on large-area glass sheets.
One of the materials we coated onto glass was a thin film of fused silica (SiO2) as a wear-resistant coating. The
process was performed in a huge vacuum chamber, where silica sand was evaporated by electron beam sources.
Regularly we would have to shut the system down after a production run and go inside the cavern-like chamber to
clean off the cooling shields and chamber walls. One anomaly that we observed, which was never adequately
explained, involved a faint greenish glowing of the flakes of "over-spray" glassy fused silica on the cool chamber
walls. On one occasion we observed this faint glowing up to 24 hours after shutting the evaporation sources down.
Thus, although the reported anomalous glowing of our fused glassy rock sample over a period of months is
extra-ordinary, I have personally observed the glowing of vaporized and condensed fused silica for periods of
multiple hours. Perhaps some analog is present.
Soil Samples: Two soil samples, requested by BLT Inc. in the spring of 2003, were obtained in May 2003; these
were received in the lab on 30 June 2003. One sample was taken from the grass area where the rocks had been
found and a control was obtained about 25m away from the middle of the plowed field. Both soil samples were dug
down to about 4 inches into the soil.
EDS analysis of granular soil tends to be somewhat problematic, due to the physical heterogeneity of such samples
(except in the case of fine clays). "Dirt" is a complex material, and usually requires several EDS scans from each
sample to get an idea about overall composition.
Examination of the soil sample taken from the grassy area where the rocks were found shows a sandy or
coarse-grained silty soil. EDS shows normal soil ingredients, primarily Si, O and Al; Ca, K, Fe and Mg are seen as
minor peaks. EDS of control soil taken 25m away is ratiometrically similar to the rock-area soils, with very similar
signals of Si, Al (which is slightly elevated over the rock-area soil), O, Ca, K, Fe and Mg, but with traces of Mo
(molybdenum) and P (phosphorus) which were not seen in the rock-area soil.
suggests that the original "luminous" quality reported by the rock's finder was short-lived and non-reversible. This
sample was also examined by Geiger counter, with no rise in count-rate over ambient noted.
An anecdote from this researcher's past, though, may be germane. In years past I had worked at a major glass
company in Toledo, Ohio, as a technician involved with vacuum depositing of coatings on large-area glass sheets.
One of the materials we coated onto glass was a thin film of fused silica (SiO2) as a wear-resistant coating. The
process was performed in a huge vacuum chamber, where silica sand was evaporated by electron beam sources.
Regularly we would have to shut the system down after a production run and go inside the cavern-like chamber to
clean off the cooling shields and chamber walls. One anomaly that we observed, which was never adequately
explained, involved a faint greenish glowing of the flakes of "over-spray" glassy fused silica on the cool chamber
walls. On one occasion we observed this faint glowing up to 24 hours after shutting the evaporation sources down.
Thus, although the reported anomalous glowing of our fused glassy rock sample over a period of months is
extra-ordinary, I have personally observed the glowing of vaporized and condensed fused silica for periods of
multiple hours. Perhaps some analog is present.
Soil Samples: Two soil samples, requested by BLT Inc. in the spring of 2003, were obtained in May 2003; these
were received in the lab on 30 June 2003. One sample was taken from the grass area where the rocks had been
found and a control was obtained about 25m away from the middle of the plowed field. Both soil samples were dug
down to about 4 inches into the soil.
EDS analysis of granular soil tends to be somewhat problematic, due to the physical heterogeneity of such samples
(except in the case of fine clays). "Dirt" is a complex material, and usually requires several EDS scans from each
sample to get an idea about overall composition.
Examination of the soil sample taken from the grassy area where the rocks were found shows a sandy or
coarse-grained silty soil. EDS shows normal soil ingredients, primarily Si, O and Al; Ca, K, Fe and Mg are seen as
minor peaks. EDS of control soil taken 25m away is ratiometrically similar to the rock-area soils, with very similar
signals of Si, Al (which is slightly elevated over the rock-area soil), O, Ca, K, Fe and Mg, but with traces of Mo
(molybdenum) and P (phosphorus) which were not seen in the rock-area soil.
We also observe another very interesting fact: the composition of the soil taken from the area of the glassy stones
contains most of the same constituents as the glassy stones themselves--however, not all -- and not in any similar
ratio. The glassy stones are much richer in Mg (magnesium), with a minor Ti (titanium) peak visible (likely indicating
rutile, a mineral form of titanium dioxide). The soils said to be from the glassy stone area have very little Mg, and
no visible Ti (see following scans).
contains most of the same constituents as the glassy stones themselves--however, not all -- and not in any similar
ratio. The glassy stones are much richer in Mg (magnesium), with a minor Ti (titanium) peak visible (likely indicating
rutile, a mineral form of titanium dioxide). The soils said to be from the glassy stone area have very little Mg, and
no visible Ti (see following scans).
Laboratory Analysis (Infrared Spectroscopy): On July 8, 2003 a fragment of the "stone" retrieved from a farm
field in Poland in 1998 was submitted to Phyllis Budinger, Frontier Analysis Ltd. Laboratory, for additional infrared
spectroscopy analysis.
Procedure: The dark "stone" fragment is approximately 9 x 7 x 2mm and weighs 0.2358 grams. An infrared
spectrum was taken of a tiny amount of ground material removed from the fragment, using the Harrick SplitPea
accessory on the Nicolet Avatar 360 spectrometer. Stereomicroscope photographs were obtained using the Leika
GZ6 microscope interfaced to a Kodak Digital Science MDS 120 camera.
field in Poland in 1998 was submitted to Phyllis Budinger, Frontier Analysis Ltd. Laboratory, for additional infrared
spectroscopy analysis.
Procedure: The dark "stone" fragment is approximately 9 x 7 x 2mm and weighs 0.2358 grams. An infrared
spectrum was taken of a tiny amount of ground material removed from the fragment, using the Harrick SplitPea
accessory on the Nicolet Avatar 360 spectrometer. Stereomicroscope photographs were obtained using the Leika
GZ6 microscope interfaced to a Kodak Digital Science MDS 120 camera.
Results: Microscopic analysis shows the material has a glassy appearance with some apparent bubbles. This would
suggest the material has been exposed to a temperature high enough to cause "melting" of the mineral silicate in
the sample (see infrared analysis, below, on the identification of glass-like Si-O bonds, and Nick Reiter's report,
above).
The infrared spectrum of the "stone" fragment shows very broad absorption bands which are typical of an
amorphous glass-like substance. The frequencies of the bands (between 1050-900 cm _ and between 550-400 cm
_) are definitely due to Si-O absorption. The spectrum is a close comparison to a spectrum of lava, which is rock
that has experienced melting.1 These data suggest that the rock fragment originally contained a high concentration
of silica mineral (i.e., sand - a.k.a. quartz) that has been subjected to high temperature. Glass (manufactured from
75% silica plus other materials) requires temperatures of at least 700-800ºC (1300-1500 F) in order to become
glass.2
suggest the material has been exposed to a temperature high enough to cause "melting" of the mineral silicate in
the sample (see infrared analysis, below, on the identification of glass-like Si-O bonds, and Nick Reiter's report,
above).
The infrared spectrum of the "stone" fragment shows very broad absorption bands which are typical of an
amorphous glass-like substance. The frequencies of the bands (between 1050-900 cm _ and between 550-400 cm
_) are definitely due to Si-O absorption. The spectrum is a close comparison to a spectrum of lava, which is rock
that has experienced melting.1 These data suggest that the rock fragment originally contained a high concentration
of silica mineral (i.e., sand - a.k.a. quartz) that has been subjected to high temperature. Glass (manufactured from
75% silica plus other materials) requires temperatures of at least 700-800ºC (1300-1500 F) in order to become
glass.2
___________
1Lava specimen is from Mauna Loa on the island of Hawaii. 2Lewis, Richard K. Sr., Hawley's Condensed Chemical
Dictionary, Fourteenth Edition: John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 2002.
-CONCLUSIONS-
SEM/EDS ANALYSIS:
(1) By all indications, the glassy stone samples provided are most likely highly-vitrified soil. The source of this
vitrification/conversion to a glass remains unknown.
(2) The lighter-green areas of the stone (said to have fluoresced at the time of retrieval and for several months
following) are comprised of essentially the same elements as the darker areas, but contain multiple tiny air bubbles
and voids which account for the lighter color in these areas;
(3) The composition of the soils from the area where the glassy stones were found and the control soils 25m away
is very similar, representing typical soil components.
(4) The EDS scans of the glassy stones and the soils from the area where the stones were found do not resemble
each other ratiometrically -- indicating that the vitrified stones are probably not derived from soils indigenous to
that precise location.
--Nick Reiter, The Avalon Foundation
INFRARED & MICROSCOPIC ANALYSIS:
Infrared and microscopic examination of the stone shows an amorphous and glassy Si-O containing material.
Clearly the data supports Nick Reiter's conclusions that this sample is soil that has been vitrified.
--Phyllis Budinger, Frontier Analysis Ltd
1Lava specimen is from Mauna Loa on the island of Hawaii. 2Lewis, Richard K. Sr., Hawley's Condensed Chemical
Dictionary, Fourteenth Edition: John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 2002.
-CONCLUSIONS-
SEM/EDS ANALYSIS:
(1) By all indications, the glassy stone samples provided are most likely highly-vitrified soil. The source of this
vitrification/conversion to a glass remains unknown.
(2) The lighter-green areas of the stone (said to have fluoresced at the time of retrieval and for several months
following) are comprised of essentially the same elements as the darker areas, but contain multiple tiny air bubbles
and voids which account for the lighter color in these areas;
(3) The composition of the soils from the area where the glassy stones were found and the control soils 25m away
is very similar, representing typical soil components.
(4) The EDS scans of the glassy stones and the soils from the area where the stones were found do not resemble
each other ratiometrically -- indicating that the vitrified stones are probably not derived from soils indigenous to
that precise location.
--Nick Reiter, The Avalon Foundation
INFRARED & MICROSCOPIC ANALYSIS:
Infrared and microscopic examination of the stone shows an amorphous and glassy Si-O containing material.
Clearly the data supports Nick Reiter's conclusions that this sample is soil that has been vitrified.
--Phyllis Budinger, Frontier Analysis Ltd
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