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.
Where were the Tucson Artifacts found?
The Tucson Artifacts were found in Tucson, Arizona.
The First Discovery
The first Tucson Artifact was found in Tucson, Arizona in September of 1924 by Charles Manier. He claims to have seen a cross sticking out of the ground by an abandoned lime kiln owned by a man named Thomas W. Bent. It turned out to be 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.[2]
Charles Manier
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 foreign lettering and identify it as Latin.[2]
Thomas W. Bent
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.
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. [4]
Phoenician Sailors in America
Spanish Explorers
Mormons
Quetzalcoatl
Proof in the pudding
- ↑ “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.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 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
- ↑ 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/