Half a Horse With no Name: Out-of-Place Relic In Australia

Half a Horse With no Name: Out-of-Place Relic In Australia

By Steven & Evan Strong

For starters we are not even sure that this metal figure is a statue of a horse, nor have we been able to identify with any degree of certainty from where or when it was made. Why it would be found beneath one metre of soil in one of the wettest parts of Australia, yet is basically without any sign of wear or corrosion, is but one of many questions floating in the ether. If this artefact is indeed thousands of years old, as the depth of recovery would seem to indicate, the lack of decay is beyond the capacities of the array of metals used in general community today. And so the lines of investigation multiply, but to begin with a brief background sketch as to how this intriguing artefact first came to our attention will assist providing some clarity, but only marginally.

As is nearly always the case people from the general community bypass the academics and endorsed institutions and contact us with news of a site, relic or information felt to be important. And more often than not it turns out what they suspected did shake cages is legitimate and worthy of recording and writing an article. Occasionally, we hit the advanced technology/earlier civilisations ‘jackpot’ as we have with the Standing Stones site, Ros’ Rocks ever-expanding ensemble of sacred marked rocks, the massive shaped granite megaliths at Trina’ site, the Kariong Glyphs and the associate surrounding archaeology, Klaus Dona’s walls and UFO-Grey carved basalt head from PNG readily come to mind. To that elite category it is highly likely that the metal horse/llama/donkey/animal Stephen found when digging into the side of a slope quite recently, is a worthy candidate.

Once the blade made contact with the metal object one metre below the surface and Stephen absorbed what had been unearthed, all digging and disruption to the site ceased and remains in that state of suspension at the time of writing. Stephen certainly tried to play by the rules of official engagement and made contact with all the approved authorities. The correspondence (which we have seen) makes it clear all ‘experts’ approached conceded this “lovely” artefact was deserving of serious consideration. But alas, in each case those who sighted the artefact neither had the specific expertise relating to the time period or geography, nor did they know of one colleague in the world who could assist. After being passed on through an assortment of official departments, talk about this inconvenient statue was shuffled off to a commercial gallery and thus out of departmental sight and jurisdiction.

Stephen despaired knowing all that lay ahead was more of the same spiral and decided to take a pro-active course in contacting us.

A Pocketful of Questions

Even from our perspective, and we have seen some utterly amazing archaeology, this has to be the most curious and unexpected relic from days long gone. It is so unlike anything we have seen and at this stage the quantity of questions we are taking on site is without precedent, and in most cases, well outside our current frames of reference.

Until disturbance, this artefact sat one metre beneath the surface in soil that is often saturated for long periods. The outer metal case of the saddled animal shows no sign of any form of rust/corrosion and appears to be mainly copper. The inner side is obviously less protected and a slightly coarser coat, and on the neck there is a small blue tinge which could indicate a higher accumulation of copper in that area alone. The point of interest here is that the rest of the inner side shows no indication of oxidisation, it is as if one small area was not properly mixed during manufacture. We feel that because of this imperfection in production, the area bearing the highest concentration of copper has corroded first, while both inside and outside the rest of the surface may be worn, but has not lost its structural integrity.

If it is an alloy, as tin, copper, brass, even iron left in soggy soil for thousands of years will be much the worse for wear, the fascinating additions can run off into time-frames, earlier civilisations and maybe even technologies still unequalled. The general colour, bolstered by the small outbreak of blue, leaves us predisposed towards copper being the major component, but for reasons we will expand upon further, the end-product is too resilient and hard to be purely copper. Brass, tin, iron, pewter, bronze, gold or a metal either rarer or unknown on this planet, are all possibilities to be considered. Any magnetic properties, or any other type of energy that may be associated with or emanating from this artefact, will be investigated.

The make-up and percentage of metals forged should go a long way towards attributing a time and possibly a location. However, we will not discount the chance that this alloy is an entirely new combination or has elements within unknown.

The Horse, Llama, Alpaca, Donkey, Giraffe or Import “From Afar”

What we have here is the face of a horse, neck of a llama, smaller legs of a donkey, upper body shape of a giraffe wrapped around a saddle and bridle. From our perspective that saddle rules out giraffes, as irrespective of what type of animal depicted, it seems fair to assume its main purpose was to carry a person or goods. What we can state is that we have approached a variety of well credentialed sympathetic researchers across the globe and not one has found something close, there are a few examples that do resemble in some respects, but there is nothing close to identical. The general consensus is split evenly between Celtic and pre-Incan and we can see reasons why both cultures were chosen. Even the late inclusion of a Middle Eastern donkey has merit, but every candidate has shared something this sculpture is lacking.

Of particular interest is not so much what is portrayed, but what is not present. There is no tail or stub and nor is there anything close to an ear. All of these animals have large ears and a visible tail/stump. The fact that nothing has been added means that in attempt to be symbolic both appendages were discarded, or that this animal is not a horse, llama or donkey and never had a visible ear or tail. In what only adds to the depth of omissions, where the ears should be is a deep cylindrical depression which we feel held a latch that locked the two halves into one unit. The only possible compensation in design that will keep this statue on planet Earth is a latch which has two ears attached which could be held when pulling the rod across. That is feasible, but really does extend the level of expertise of the artiste and increases the degrees of sophistication in metallurgy and alloys well beyond what was supposed to be the technological BC norm.

The idea that this animal is actually representational and of an off-world origin seems somewhat far-fetched, but there are genuine Australian precedents. Recent scientific research conducted by Sydney University into the genetic make-up of the dingo was expected to resolve arguments about the dingo’s closest relative and the location outside Australia from which this ‘dog’ originated. It did neither. All they got was a series of competing omissions they are incapable of understanding. The dingo is not genetically related to any wolf, dog or any type of canine on this planet, it is quite literally of a different genus and belongs nowhere, but to this country and no other species. The researchers were dumbfounded by this fact, all they could confidently announce is that there is no Earthly connection.

More importantly, Original Keeper of Old Ways, Gavi Duncan, was recently sharing the details of a Dreaming Story related to the Bulgandry site (Central Coast, NSW) with the Ancient Aliens film crew. He told us that Biaime (carved with a helmet holding the sun and moon in his hands) came in a space ship (eight metre canoe) and introduced some new animals to the country, of which the most bountiful was the kangaroo. There are four kangaroos/wallabies spread around the space ship and some are actually touching the massive canoe. The Original mythology is clear in that these animals came in a space ship and were introduced into the country.

So, knowing that the genes of the dingo are unique, that kangaroos and wallabies are only found in Australia and are a gift from the Sky-Heroes, to assume that this horse-like animal is ancient and Alien is no great stretch in Original logic or Lore.

Saddle up, File Away Then put it Back Together Again

Outside an analysis of the metal, the most promising area deserving of further investigation is the saddle. Its shape, design, the predominance of geometric patterning, the series of small reliefs/scratches in one corner, connected bridles and general proportions are all possible avenues that may help in identifying who and where.

Less pragmatic and far more puzzling is the cluster of sharp delicate lines of uniform width and depth under the legs, which appear to be the end result of the application of some sort of very hard, sharp metallic file. Whatever tool was used, the series of fine delicate lines are parallel and so uniform in every respect, it seems so much like the metallic equivalent of a piece of pottery where a comb was run across the top wet layer of clay. The mechanics of these cuts and level of technology in evidence could become more evident with microscopic lens of very high magnification. What can be assumed with confidence is that whatever tool was used it had to be of a harder consistency than the metal it was cutting into.

Of course, the other half of the saddle, along with more of the same micro-cuts on the opposite side of the quasi-horse, would go some way towards resolving intentions and technology. What immediate struck me on first sighting was the lack of any apparent adhesive or point of co-joined contact there was on the inner lip. Until taking in the full significance of the missing ear-latch, nothing gave any clue as to how the other half was attached, or even if there was another half. The existence of interlocking complimentary second half is highly probable, but never guaranteed.

The most likely places to find the hypothetical second section would seem to be in and around the mound where this half was found, or on the road where all the fill that was removed is now placed. The need to conduct a professional ‘dig’ or use a metal detector is paramount and of the highest priority.

Plenty of Pluses and one Minus

It has to be factored into any response or critique of this research, the bar is set ever so low. According to all accepted historical accounts, no non-Original people ever set foot in this dense sub-tropical rainforest bush until 150 years ago. So, all that needs to be proven is that the quantity of soil above the artefact cannot accumulate that quickly, thus contradicting a fundamental assumption that underpins all endorsed Australian pre-historical accounts. Any number past one hundred and fifty is fine by us, they all achieve the same end in questioning unsound science and rewriting history.

Amongst the many pluses are an assortment of rocks collected in the neighbouring area, two of which have strong credentials and will be part of the next more intensive examination on site. That there are other relics can only assist in establishing context and a background setting.

It also does more than that, both the marked and shaped rocks found by Stephen, and those recovered by his neighbours, add substance to Stephen’s claim and negate the obvious contrary stance that this is all a mischievous plant that he, and possibly us, have cooked up to gain publicity and kudos. Without doubt such an accusation will bubble to the surface, simply because if Stephen is telling the truth the case is closed and the site and artefact is indeed genuine.

If the horse stood alone, if Stephen had no other archaeology and I hadn’t already seen a very odd circular rock held by another person, it is a rebuttal that deserves thought. Even if I felt his character is beyond reproach, without the quantity of archaeology already found nearby, that personal assurance is means little. However, what must be factored into any assessment of truth or fiction for gain is that if it is bogus, there is nothing anywhere that is identical or close to similar to copy from. If it is an original, ripping it apart and throwing it into soggy dirt seems an unusual way to value add, if it is replica please show us from what it was copied as we have certainly looked all over the place and came up empty.

For the Sake of Balance

For the sake of balance, let us assume Stephen’s motives are financially driven and his intention is to gain publicity and thus ramp up the selling price on the open-market. If that is the case, the very last group to approach would be personnel from the Universities and Museums. If just one Government-appointed curator had their wits about them they would have immediately taken possession of the statue and organised an archaeological dig post-haste. Once declared and gazetted as a registered site, Stephen loses all control over that artefact and any others found in subsequent or previous digs.

We have met people who sell Original artefacts of very high merit through the open market and none would ever consider approaching anyone from official channels. That would be fiscal suicide with no chance of a sale, but that was Stephen’s first port-of-call. He made repeated attempts to engage with a bevy of recommended experts. And in each encounter Stephen was fobbed off to another department. It was only when he realised there was never the intention to look, investigate or discuss, did he seek assistance ‘outside the box.’ Stephen was left with no choice or counsel, so he sought us out.

That is not the strategy of a selfish duplicitous soul, but the actions of someone trying to find the truth. The real truth in this tale is that it was never Steven’s motives and integrity that was under question, but those of the people paid to protect Original culture and history. Rather than open themselves to a challenge when this horse-like life-form appeared on their horizon, the baton was shamefully passed.

Back onto Country

The next article on this site will be a cross between a report and scientific paper. We need some rigour and a setting that the academic can at least accept as readable-not that they will look, but overcoming any self-imposed hurdles will cut the odds cut marginally.

When we walk onto country our expectations are nil, it is best to look for clues once on site, taking on preconceptions and clutter when on sacred country clouds the vision.

This horse-like animal is just that, a huge maybe that runs all over the planet and off into the stars. We have to open the palette and try to piece together the other artefacts, the locations found and the composition of this statue. What else is beside or near where the animal statue was found? What clues can be seen in the surrounding landscape? Acknowledging that the statue and another stone tool/artefact (yet to discussed or photographed) had to be shaped by no less than a metal tool, are there other artefacts that exhibit technology outside the realm of stick, stone and bone? Trying to connect to a culture outside Australia is still a work in progress and we have hopes more time on site and an appreciation of the lay of the land will narrow the candidates.

Now it gets even more difficult, in the previous paragraph we presented what we believe to be the easier questions. The road ahead and behind gets decidedly rockier when trying to come to grips with a cluster of seven ‘unique properties’ which open up so many new avenues of research.

There is no ancient animal statue of a horse, llama, donkey, giraffe or mutated rabbit that looks like this on this planet. Nor has there been a circular depression that possibly acts as clamp/latch in place of the ears seen on any ancient metal statue. Equally, there is no precedent yet found for the lack of tail or ears of this animal, and not only does a human or luggage sit atop, there is a distinctive saddle design that again is yet to be matched. We are convinced that this metal has to be an alloy, and outward appearances suggest that some of the metals merged are rare, sophisticated or unknown. What can also be added to the expanding list of unique unknowns, is that the erratic pattern of corrosion begins at inconsequential and concludes with unparalleled.

All those fascinating inconsistencies aside, the most intriguing aspect of this artefact is the pronounced metallic sheen both on the outer surface and further within. Whether a sunny day or overcast, the ever-present glow never fades. Even where there is a scratch of the surface, the metal beneath still maintains the same intensity of sheen. We see this as a very sophisticated piece of metal which had something added before or when this object was forged, that supposedly never existed thousands of years ago. If we can analyse the individual elements in this alloy, it is our expectation that whatever caused this metallic glow is mistakenly presumed to be new technology, but was actually known of thousands of years ago.

The most amazing part of this ancient historical tale now unearthed is the gross neglect and dereliction of duty by those entrusted to guard the truth and historical integrity. What is even more tragic is that if this mysterious metal object cannot raise an eyebrow or set one solitary toe forward in any official outlet, what would get a positive response? If this isn’t good enough, what is? How many others approached the same people with other relics that just don’t fit, and gave up rather than waste time and energy banging their head against a brick wall of institutionalised indifference?

That was before, in the next report on this artefact everything outside information revealing location will be openly shared. Amongst the eleven areas at present identified we are trying to add substance to, there is no denying a couple of definites next time around would be nice. But the truth is such delicate matters are determined by the Spirits of this tribal land, and all we can do is obey protocol and see what eventuates.