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Earhart Project Research Bulletin
July, 2002 Artifact 2-6-S-45 |
Secrets of the Knob
Symbol #14 |
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Analysis
and photos courtesy Jeff Glickman, Photek Imaging. |
This is an analysis of photomicrographs of symbol #14 on TIGHAR
artifact 2-6-S-45, commonly known as “the knob.” The photos
are visually degraded because of the JPEG format which is used to
enable email transmission.
This analysis
contains 3 images which are separately annotated. Symbol #14 is
heavily encrusted, and damaged. |
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Original Image: The upper portion of this symbol is visible; the lower
portion is encrusted and damaged. The key visible feature is the loop located
at the top of the symbol. The loop is small, and narrow, approximately half
the height of the symbol, which excludes 0 as a candidate symbol. The presence
of the loop excludes 1 as a candidate symbol. 4 is excluded as the top is
either open or has square edges. 5 is excluded because the upper left corner
should be pointed or squared. 7 is excluded because the top should be flat.
Therefore the initial candidate set for symbol #14 is: 2, 3, 6, 8 and 9. |
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Notes:
- Inner loop.
- Loop continues below the horizontal.
- Concavity.
- Possible insult/damage.
- Dominant angle of lower encrustation is diagonal from lower-left to
upper right.
A 3 needs an opening
to the upper left of the loop, and some indication of a partial lower
loop. There is support for neither. This excludes a 3.
A 6 needs an opening
to the upper right of the loop and some indication of a lower loop. There
is support for neither. This excludes a 6.
An 8 needs a lower
loop. There is no support for this. This excludes an 8. A 2 needs an opening
to the upper left of the loop, and a horizontal line in the lower encrusted
area. There is support for neither. This excludes a 2.
A 9 needs a diagonal
from the lower-left to the upper-right which is supported by the evidence.
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Conclusion:
The symbol features suggest TIGHAR artifact 2-6-S-45 symbol #14 is probably
a nine (“9”). The most likely first alternate is a two (“2”).
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