Seeking Secrets:

I think they are both pretty fake in the modern process. From Chat: In many engineered stone products—especially quartz countertops—the bulk material is indeed quartz-based. However, the artificial veins themselves are generally not made by embedding separate pieces of quartz or calcite. Instead, here's what typically happens: Base Material: Engineered stone is often made from crushed quartz mixed with a resin binder. In some cases, finely ground calcite or other minerals may be included to achieve specific colors or textures. Creating the Veins: The veined appearance is usually achieved by adding colored pigments or sometimes fine mineral powders (which could include quartz or calcite in a powdered form) into the resin mixture in a controlled way. This creates a layered or swirled effect that mimics natural veining. In summary, while the overall composition might include quartz (or even calcite in some formulations), the vein effect itself is primarily a result of pigment and fine additive integration—not by inserting large, distinct mineral fragments.

@Weird_Old_World One interesting note is we have some process today for adding "veins" to fake granite quartz counter tops. The veins are definitely an area to examine closely and figure out if there were viable methods back then.

I do but I think it's under wraps for now and didn't learn the process/whether it is convincing (as I don't know how to assess) - but hopefully a paper soon will emerge. I just raised the counter point and was holding a sample. They pointed at the sample at a fluid like river pattern and smiled. I'd be most interested in whether the egyptian granite for statues/vases can be replicated. If I learn more, I'll be sure to let you know!

This paper actually argues that the walls were made from a dough like material of lime paste! If I'm understanding it correctly it says that the samples from the walls differ from the quarry in that there are no organic fossils in the walls, but they are found in the limestone in the quarry. This is actually a very interesting finding. To explain this, I think the authors believe that an area of the quarry was exposed to volcanic temperatures producing a lime paste. This paste could then be stored and transported and used to make a dough that could then be molded into the walls! "the limestone, being heated and burned (thus transforming into the hydraulic slaked lime), reacts with the rainwater, hot spring, reservoir, or water vapor - immediately gets slaked, afterwards turning into a “lime paste”." "In addition to all the described versions, we must not forget the human factor (thermal processing of a limestone). The skillfully created bonfire can reach the temperatures of 600° -700 °C, and sometimes even 1000 °C." "The blocks of Saqsaywaman walls are made of hydraulic lime dough, obtained by thermal exposure on the Peruvian limestone"

@Weird_Old_World @ryrytal @FoMaHun The best mystery!

I guess each method has its own cost benefit profile depending on the desired structures and available resources. When I see something like the great pyramid for example, and the difficulty of explaining hauling the blocks to the top, and given the availability of the resources, I think Davidovits theory makes a lot of sense. But hopefully we can develop a pretty definitive test and then just go around and test the stone.

@FoMaHun Bon voyage!

Is that universal? Do those that have the gaps have nubs? I do not doubt some were carved. I don’t know also if the mix tends to expand or contract when drying. I was thinking more of the following type of walls. I also recall a photo someone posted of a tight fitting complex wall from the rear where it looked like the front was plaster over some rough rocks. But can’t find that photo at the moment.

EGYPT: Paleomagnetic study found oriented magnetic vectors in some Khufu and Khafre pyramid samples, suggesting in situ casting of geopolymer blocks. (Túnyi & El-hemaly, 2012) SEM/TEM showed microconstituents with Si, Ca, Mg ratios not in natural limestone; amorphous and nanocrystalline phases consistent with rapid precipitation. (Barsoum et al., 2006) NMR indicated Snefru's Bent Pyramid casing stones: limestone grains cemented with amorphous calcium-silicate gel. (MacKenzie et al., 2011) Micro-PIXE/PIGE revealed heterogeneous Na, Cl, S in pyramid samples vs. homogeneous in limestone. Na/Cl clusters suggest natron and NaOH binder. (Demortier, 2020) X-ray analysis: higher SiO2, SrO in Cheops and Teti casing stones vs. quarry samples. (Davidovits, 1984) XRD: hydroxy-apatite, no quartz in Cheops casing stone unlike quarry samples. (Davidovits, 1984) HCl-insoluble parts of Cheops stone: silico-aluminate, cristobalite-low, volcanic quartz (Opal CT), not in quarry samples. (Davidovits, 1984) Thin sections: air bubbles, organic fibers, less dense matrix in casing stones vs. quarry. (Davidovits, 1984) XRD of red coating on Cheops stone: complex geopolymer with hydroxy-apatite, brushite, zeolite, Opal CT. (Davidovits, 1984) ESEM/EDS of 2nd-3rd Dynasty Egyptian blue faience tiles: low-temp (200-250°C) multi-layer coating/paint, atacamite main copper ore. (Davidovits & Davidovits, 2015) SOUTH AMERICA / EASTER ISLAND: SEM: Pumapunku red sandstone had thick, fluid, atypical ferro-sialate geopolymer matrix coating grains. (Davidovits, 2021) SEM: Pumapunku andesite had biological organic matter (C, N), impossible in natural high-temp volcanic rock, suggesting plant-based geopolymer binder. (Davidovits, 2021) Fossilized microorganisms and chemical pollution (K, P, Ca, phytoliths) in Moai statues and Rano Raraku soil indicated organo-mineral geopolymer binder. (Davidovits, 2021)

@TonyTrupp @Graham__Hancock Also you might (or might not) be interested in Davidovits just released book on Tiawanaku Pumapunku and Easter island:

@TonyTrupp @Graham__Hancock It’s incredibly impressive. However i think we should approach each site with an open mind. Nubs and other indications may point to casting. At some point soon we will hopefully have a definitive test to distinguish artificial from quarried stone.

@TonyTrupp @Graham__Hancock

@JRocksTheValley @WhitleyStrieber @FoMaHun I see the claim is pretty widespread thanks. Will have to dig into that.

@tracyktownsend Great testimonial - do you know of any good retreat like places for psilocybin? (eg Eleusinia in Mexico).