Dig Log 1

DIG LOG 1

Date: May 09

Project Site: Phaedran

Archaeologist: Shai Khalifa

This project is proving to be nothing sort of fantastic (in the truest meaning). Every day seems to uncover more wonders never before seen.

The huge dragons on the western end of the site were always something that inspired awe and wonder in anyone who saw them, and we're hoping to find out more about their origins as we continue the dig. There are 2 smaller ones above the bridge that joins one mountain to the other on the southern side of the site. I have still to make the climb up there.

Somehow I don't think the gaily painted wrecked combi van is anything to do with the ancient race that lived here. More likely it's a relic from some hippy hermit who found his Nirvana and left. I have set my camp site beside it though as it's quite comforting.

There's a sky bridge linking one hill to another, supported on tall pillars which seem far to slender to support the weight. I've not ventured to the bridge itself, but we have spent some time wandering around the land the supports are anchored to. One begins in a wooded valley, and while one of my colleagues was working his way around the base, he accidently leaned on a section of the pillar. I have to say I've never seen him jump quite so far before. As he touched it, the pillar started to hum and a section opened in it to reveal a panel of glowing lights.

Not only is it a surprise to us that this exists at all, but also that there seems to be a power source operating somewhere, though I can't imagine where.

Me being me I couldn't resist. That panel was too tempting. I reached into it and pressed what seemed to be a button. To my alarm a document appeared in the air in front of me. Not a picture of one - a whole document, there for me to touch and take - which of course I did. Once the document appeared, the panel cover again closed and the humming stopped.

I couldn't make out the words, but there's an excellent linguist I know who can help to decipher this. I'll send it to her tomorrow. You have no idea how excited we are over this. Maybe a little frightened too, but mainly really excited.

This discovery comes on top of what I found while swimming the other day. I'd decided to do a short scuba trip and to my astonishment I immediately saw huge structures beneath the sea - mostly of stone and obviously old.

The largest is some sort of portico with wide staircases from the front and sides. It's as if the cliff face just pushed up and cut the structure in half - very strange. There are also some extremely odd pod-like structures embedded into the cliff. There's a sort of swirling light inside most of them. I think they need closer attention. Next dive perhaps.

There's a sort of forum structure as well - made from stone and metal. Have no idea what sort of metal would survive underwater like this though given the obvious age of the structures. The main feature of this structure is a huge pair of wings which rotate around a shiny ball - on top of the metal pipe dome. This feature is echoed on top of the roof circle and also on top of what appears to be some sort of central plinth. This was the first evidence I'd seen of something that moves and isn't moved by the action of the water.

On thinking about it, this is possibly being powered somehow. And maybe the glowy pods too. Finding this power source may end up being a concerted effort.

I had to return to land far too soon - but I think that maybe most of my project is now going to entail hours underwater. This is equally as exciting as what's on land. Well so far anyway though I have a feeling there's a lot more to find.

More later - lamp is running out of gas.