Strange Artifacts Abound!

We have become familiar with the term artifacts and what that means. Usually, things like animal bones, arrowheads, ancient documents and complex statues are what comes to mind when we think of things like artifacts. Here is a list of several strange artifacts that have been found over the years:

Strange Fossils: Modern science has led us to believe that people have not been around in our current forms for that many years. However, researchers have found strange looking fossils that have defied traditionally accepted ideas. Like for instance, several handprints and footprint imprints have been found that scientists have dated back millions of years. This is much longer than people have been thought to be around. There has even been a fossil unearthed that looks like a man wearing a sandal that appears to also be several million years old. Who can explain it! No one, yet.

Metal Spheres: People have been digging up odd metal spheres in Africa for years now. These metal spheres are perfectly round and some have designs etched into them. No one can explain what they were used for, but one thing is for certain. They have been around for billions of years and do not look like they are going anywhere anytime soon.

Ancients Discs: Researchers have unearthed amazing looking gold discs in Chinese caves that look to be an ancient version of records. What were they used for? I guess we will probably never know.

Ancient batteries: Researchers have found examples of batteries developed by ancient people in the Middle East that are similar to that of the batteries of today. Amazing to think of the technology that could have existed millions of years ago.

Aircraft Shaped Artifacts: Scientists have unearthed artifacts in Egypt and South America, two entirely different continents that are shaped unusually similar to modern aircraft. Did they have the technology and the know how to make a flight back then? We will probably never know.

Huge Spherical Balls: Balls, perfectly circular, have been found in the jungles of Costa Rica and Central America for decades. Some of these weigh a few ounces, others a few tons. Though they are clearly man-made, it’s not clear what purpose they actually served for the people who made them.

The list of strange fossils can go on and on and the debates that go along with them will last forever. What can we make of the strange findings of scientists and researchers? Well, civilizations could have been much more advanced that we have previously given them credit for. Or, other beings have inhabited the Earth earlier than we realize. Who really knows for sure? One thing is for certain: it is pretty amazing what ancient people could do and what similarities we have with them now. These artifacts will continue to amaze us for thousands of years to come.

Just Face It, Your Kids Think You're an Artifact

Do you remember when you were young and you felt like you would never grow up? Thirty seemed like an old age and sixty was really, really old and you would not have to worry because it would take forever for you to get there anyway.

You also thought your parents were artifacts who must have been born in the Stone Age. They had no clue about what you liked and what kind of problems and issues you faced every day in your life.

Well, you did grow up, and quickly. Now you are over sixty and have a couple of grandkids who are likely thinking that you are an artifact. You, however, may think that you have made a conscious effort to keep your kids and grandkids from thinking that you and your spouse are artifacts.

But it is not going to work, no matter how hard you try. You can think you are an amazing grandparent who totally understands what your kids and grandkids are feeling and going through because you went through it to at a time. But they do not think that way.

They think you are an old geezer who would not understand what they are going through in life even if it bit you in the pants. Do not fret about it. It is human nature and it is futile to try and stop them from feeling that way. The best way to go about it is to simply acknowledge that yes, you are artifacts and you have no idea what is going on in their lives. Then let them try to figure out their problems on their own and eventually come back to you for guidance. Trust this fact, it will happen sooner or later.

The most important thing is to remember that your grandkids do love you but they may be going through that stage when they are too cool for everything and life is the most unfair piece of work ever. Those feelings will pass and eventually you will be best friends with your family again.

However, for now, let them think that they are the most amazing and smart people in the world who can figure out everything for themselves. Remember, you are just artifacts who would not know a real problem like they have and you could not possibly understand what they are going through.

Instead, simply sit back, relax and smile as they go through the drama that all people go through and laugh and say that you told them so when they ask you for advice.

Is That for Real? Fake Artifacts and the Truth

People love to collect things: especially artifacts and other collectibles that they deem to either have personal or monetary value. Unfortunately, with the growth of this popular pastime comes to the people who are out to take advantage of these people who wish to purchase artifacts for their collections.

These crooks only want to defraud the innocent people of their money while preying on their desire to have something unique and original. Until these people are all caught, it will continue. However, the sad fact is that there will continue to be sideways crooks that will prey on unsuspecting people until the end of time.

So, if you are a collector, take note. If you are looking to purchase any sort of collectable from someone who claims to have something original, make sure you take the time to research the claim before you shell out your hard-earned cash.

How can you be prepared to avoid crooks? Well, it surely is not easy, but here are a few steps you can follow to try to protect yourself, your interests and most of all, your cash:

Only buy from a reputable antiques or collectables dealer. These people will have references and contacts in the industry that will prove that they have the goods, Never buy from someone who approaches you about buying something unique or rare. Most times these people are trying to

·  take advantage of your interest. Instead, only buy things you have had the time to research in advance.

·  Go with your gut, if you look at something and it seems too good to be true, it of course probably is just that.

·  Do not let your excitement get in the way of your good judgment. You may be excited at the prospect of purchasing a

·  unique artifact, but do not let that cloud your good judgment and make sure you research your purchase before buying,

·  by confirming on historical records, etc.

·  Develop relationships with your dealers and buyers. That way you will build trust and you can be assured that you will be able to trust these people and know that what they are saying is the truth.

There may come a time when you do get bilked out of your cash and end up losing some of it due to a bad business deal. Do not dwell on that, it can happen to even the savviest of collectors. Instead, brush it off with a hard lesson learned and then get up and try again. You will no doubt have the opportunity to purchase many find artifacts and collectables in your life. Some will be amazing, some not so much. In the end, you will have a great collection of artifacts that will make you proud to show off to your friends and family. It will take some time to assemble this amazing collection, but once you do, you will be amazed at the satisfaction you get from it.

Who is in your crcle?

Who is in your circle? When we are young, we have a large circle of friends and a larger circle of acquaintances. Over time that circle changes, I once read that we have a circle of influence (friends, family and acquaintances) of about 200 people. I am not sure if that number is true or not, but it is, I think, pretty close to the reality of our life. 

When we marry and invite people to our wedding we try to hold the party to close friends and family from each side. So, we take the time and have great discussions about who we should invite and who we could not invite. We eliminate from our list, those people who are not very close to us. This is hard for both the bride and the groom but once the elimination of people is completed, the wedding guest list is around 200 plus people. 

When we die, the notice goes out to all those who have known us and at most funerals, there are about 200 hundred people, made up of friends, family, co-workers, and acquaintances. They are not the same people who were at our wedding, because as we move through life our circle of 200 changes. 

Some years it expands, some years it contracts, but the size stays fairly constant--unless you are not a very nice person. In your life, you have people who love you, mentored you, who helped you, who helped, you mentored and you love. Those people play an important role in our life. John Lennon sums it up well in his song "In My Life"

"There are places I remember
All my life though some have changed
Some forever not for better
Some have gone and some remain
All these places have their moments
With lovers and friends I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my life I've loved them all
But of all these friends and lovers
There is no one compares with you
And these memories lose their meaning
When I think of love as something new
Though I know I'll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I'll often stop and think about them
In my life I love you more
Though I know I'll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I'll often stop and think about them
In my life I love you more
In my life, I love you more"

Think about this words and the people that surround you even now. They see, hear, and feel what you see, hear, and feel. They trade vantage points, study possibilities, and learn to think bigger. They boast about you, honour you, and smile at your jokes. They only ever argue over who likes you most.

Shhhh... they're reading this...