Tucson Artifacts
by Becca Gross
What are the Tucson Artifacts?
The Tucson Artifacts, also known as the Tucson Crosses or Silverbell Artifacts, totaled more than thirty lead objects resembling crosses, swords, and other religious related objects. [3]
Where were the Tucson Artifacts found?
The Tucson Artifacts were found in Tucson, Arizona.
The Discoveries
The First Discovery
The first Tucson Artifact was found in Tucson, Arizona in September of 1924 by Charles Manier. Manier and his family were traveling along Silverbell Road and they became interested in these abandoned lime kilns. The family stopped and approached the kiln. As they did, Manier saw an object sticking out of the ground. It turns out that Manier saw a metal cross sticking out of the ground by the abandoned lime kiln on the property of a man named Thomas W. Bent. Upon further discovery, the metal cross was two pieces stuck together in the form of a cross. When Manier broke the two pieces apart, he discovered a foreign looking lettering engraved onto them.[3]
Translation
Manier made the first discovery of the Tucson Artifacts by discovering the two part cross with foreign lettering. Upon this discovery, he contacted Dr. Frank H. Fowler, a professor at the University of Arizona who teaches Latin, and he was able to interpret the Latin lettering. [3] Included is the partial translation done by Dr. Frank H. Fowler of the First Tucson Artifact:
"We are borne over the sea [to] Calalus, an unknown land
[where] Toltezus Silvanus ruled far and wide over a people.
Theodore transferred his troops to the foot of the city Rhoda
and more than seven hundred were captured. No gold is taken away.
Theodore, a man of great courage, rules for fourteen years. Jacob
rules for six. With the help of God, nothing has to be feared. In
the name of Israel. OL. Jacob renews the city. With God's help Jacob
rules with mighty hand in the manner of his ancestors. Sing to the Lord.
May his fame live forever. OL." [4]
The Remaining Discoveries
The cross that was discovered by Manier was found on Thomas W. Bent's property. Together Bent and Manier excavated the rest of the artifacts.
Excavation
The excavation was well documented by in the newspaper and with photos.
Psuedoarchaeological Narrative
There are multiple psuedoarchaelogical narratives as to what these artifacts prove or contribute to. Depending on who you ask, you will get a different story, which contributes even more to the pseudo nature of these discoveries. Other information worth noting is the use of A.D. for the dating on these artifacts before that had become common terminology for establishing dates and the usage of modern words in the inscriptions of the artifacts. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many
The following are a few explanations for what the Tucson Artifacts indicate or history they are claimed to support:
Romans in Tucson
When these artifacts were translated, they told a narrative of a battle in the 8th Century between Native Americans, described as "Toltezus", predecessors of the Aztecs, and a settlement of Roman Jews. The artifacts in nature suggested there was an Ancient Roman Settlement in Tucson Arizona. [6]
Additionally, another narrative of Romans in Tucson was founded on the the inscription of the cross that supported the traveling of ships from the Roman Empire to the New World. Yet, these ships carrying 700 Christianized Romans landed on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. They then marched northwest until they got to, what is now known as, Tucson. According to the cross, they build a city named Terra Calalus. This was all said to have taken place from 775 A.D. to 900 A.D. when the Native American tribes that lived there previously destroyed the colony. [7]
Mormons
The Mormons attempted to use the inscriptions on the artifacts to prove the book of Mormon to be truthful.
Proof in the pudding
- ↑ Nelson, Rian. “THE AMERICAN INDIAN IS OF SEMITIC ORIGIN/LEAD ARTIFACTS.” Bofm.blog, 2020, https://www.bofm.blog/the-american-indian-is-of-semitic-origin/.
- ↑ “Tucson Artifacts Suggest Romans Made It to New World in 8th Century: Expert.” Www.theepochtimes.com, 10 Apr. 2016, https://www.theepochtimes.com/tucson-artifacts-suggest-europeans-made-it-to-new-world-in-8th-century-expert_2017332.html.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Moran, Gary. “Genuine Ooparts Crucial to History or a Colossal Hoax? A Thorough Examination of the Tucson Artifacts.” Ancient Origins, Ancient Origins, 26 Jan. 2021, https://www.ancient-origins.net/artifacts-other-artifacts/tucson-artifacts-0011720
- ↑ Hunter, J. Michael. “The Kinderhook Plates, the Tucson Artifacts, and Mormon Archeological Zeal.” Journal of Mormon History, vol. 31, no. 1, Mormon History Association, University of Illinois Press, 2005, pp. 31–70, http://www.jstor.org/stable/23289247.
- ↑ America, Post author By Ancient. “Tucson Crosses and Quetzalcoatl.” Ancient America, 6 Oct. 2015, https://ancientamerica.com/tucson-crosses-and-quetzalcoatl/.
- ↑ “Romans Allegedly in Tucson.” Pima County Public Library, https://www.library.pima.gov/content/romans-allegedly-in-tucson/
- ↑ Hudnall, Ken. “Did Europeans Settle in the Arizona Desert Thousands of Years before Columbus Sailed to America?” Borderzine, 2 Mar. 2012, https://borderzine.com/2012/03/did-europeans-settle-in-the-arizona-desert-thousands-of-years-before-columbus-sailed-to-america/.