Category: Archaeology

The Giant’s Hand

The Giant’s Hand is a rock formation consisting of a large island-like structure in the middle of a former lake, as well as several floating rocks above small ponds in its interior. It is some distance from civilization, and is the only documented area with floating rock formations.

Local legends say a great giant or god fell here. He wrenched his hand free, pulling the earth up and forming mountains. Floating rocks were formed when some of the mountains were pulled up so far that they came free of the ground. The space beneath them was then filled in by water over the years of rainfall.

There is no evidence that gods are real or visited this site, thus necessitating a scientific explanation. Floating rocks have been theorized as the result of magnetic repulsion, detailed here. The formation itself happens to look like a large handprint, but was most likely just a mountainous formation that happened to occur in the midst of a prehistoric lake.

The existence of the lake and the odd way the water moves around the mountains suggests that there is a network of underground rivers beneath or around the mountains. While some claim this supports the theory that the range was formed by a god, it is more likely that earthquakes, wear from the water itself, and other stressors created underground rivers that change the way water moves around the mountains.

One theory, found in an ancient human textbook from long before humans had interacted with the other races, suggests that mountains are formed by internal stressors in the ground, possibly the same stressors that created the underground waterways. This theory says that the ground is formed in plates of rock that sometimes collide or slide against each other, forming mountains.

Most inhabitants of the Giant’s Hand live on the floating rocks. They are typically Vuzodep, and spread the legends and histories of the area verbally. Notably, their history does not mention ever residing in the country Vuzode, from which the Vuzodep people get their name. While ponds, rivers, and lakes provide ample fresh water, growing food can be a struggle as the locals must find ways to grow food atop their floating rocks or must travel to the surface to gather.

Something Once Was

Dear Diary,

Have you ever desired something so much that you conjured that thing into being? I think I may have done so…I know that Eurth is uninhabitable, but…sometimes I think I see something down there. On the surface.

When I look through my telescope, I see skyscrapers, factories, acid-eaten buildings and rotted stumps. But every once in a while, there is a flash of movement. It could be the wind, but there is nothing left for the wind to carry. It almost seems to move on its own, but whatever it is is too fast to catch on such a delicate instrument. By the time I recalibrate the telescope, it is gone.

I know that they say everything is gone and nothing could live down there, but I can’t help but wish that those glimpses were something more than a puff of smog or a dust devil.

I Wonder About the Stars

Dear Diary,

When I was a child, I used to look up at the stars and wonder. Were all those beautiful things they said about them true? Had they really discovered new, habitable planets? Barring that, could we live in spaceships with artificial gravity and never need to touch ground again?

I was thrilled when they discovered the first of the gold deposits, though I admit at the time I thought of gold as money with no care for its heat resistance. I learned as I grew older, of course. Now, with spaces travel grown so typical, and me so far from home in both time and space…

Now I look down at the planet and wonder. Did we really used to live there? Were there lush fields and deep, dark forests, or was that something I only conjured in my imagination?

Box Photograph

This picture was found in an old archive, improperly labeled. It was originally part of a collection before most of the pictures were mysteriously redacted. This image survived only because an intern misplaced it. It appears to depict several boxy shapes that almost seem like buildings, but there are no entrances big enough for a person to enter. The flags atop some shapes would suggest that the boxes are much larger than they appear, but it would be impossible for a building of that height to be constructed successfully.

Statue 001

This statue was found in a cave near where some of the oldest archaeological sites on ‘El’ were location. It is believes to be a great leader or deity that was worshiped. The cave may have been a crude temple from when humans first arrived on ‘El’ and began to establish themselves.

Photo by Thomas Oxford on Unsplash

Framed Drawing 001

This drawing was found against an upper portion of a wall during excavation of the upper floor of a house in the archaeological site designated Settlement Alpha. It is believed to be artwork depicting a form of transportation. Archaeologists speculate that the transportation style was reserved for the wealthy or for performers and scientists, as the method appears to be an unstable travel method, but was deemed worthy of display.

Artifact Details:
Site: ALPHA-10363-01
Item: Framed Drawing 001
Date: Mittelsommer 06, 10363
Location: EB 02 E90 S12 D118
Description: Framed Drawing of an orb with a basket underneath (30cm wide, 20cm tall)
JM, FL

Wanted Poster 001

This portrait was found on a piece of large paper in the walls of a house in an abandoned human settlement titled Settlement Alpha. It was packed into the walls with other, unreadable pages. The writing below the image was indecipherable, but scholars’ best guess is that it’s a wanted poster for this individual. Further excavations may reveal more information.

Artifact Details:
Site: ALPHA-10363-02
Item: Wanted Poster 001
Date: Mittelsommer 04, 10363
Location: EB 01 E87 S6 D78
Description: 18cm wide, 26cm tall portrait on paper
JV, MF, NZ

Wallet Photo 001

This portrait was found in a wallet during excavation of the upper floor of a house in the archaeological site designated Settlement Alpha.

Artifact Details:
Site: ALPHA-10363-01
Item: Wallet Photo 001
Date: Mittelsommer 02, 10363
Location: EB 01 E12 S43 D179
Description: leather wallet with crumbled paper and one photograph (1inch wide, 2inch tall)
EJ, LQ, LC, TJ

Card Collection 001

This collection of cards was found in a lockbox in Feurstadt, a town believed to be the oldest human settlement on ‘El’. They were in terrible condition, but they are believed to be identifications cards from an ancient war. Each individual can be seen wearing their kingdom’s uniform with the name of their province or town on it.