Bdriller Clay Tablets & Dr. Tom Hester Response

[greywolf22]

Moderator Note: This thread is a follow-up from the original "Clay Tablets" threads here:

https://forums.arrowheads.com/forum/general-discussion-gc5/what-did-i-find-gc11/444432-clay-tablets

and here:

http://forums.arrowheads.com/forum/general-discussion-gc5/what-did-i-find-gc11/15889-clay-tablets-2




Mr.Bassett:
It looks like someone cleaned out their
ceramic studio, in which they made some
pottery (not Indian; just modern pots).
Then, after a bottle of Jim Beam, they
made up those tablets...or maybe it was
the result of over-the-borderline insanity.
Walk away from this stuff as fast as you
can. It is all "fake" from an archaeological
perspective. None of it makes any sense
and none of it bears any relationship to
any of the world's ancient cultures. The
ceramic technology is wholly modern and
the themes are outlandish, to be kind.
Thanks for going to the trouble of sending the images.
Sincerely,
Tom Hester

[Flintfinder of Mo.]

Thanks for the info. I for one of the many already knew this....LOL

[greywolf22]

Dr. Tom Hester is very kind to take his time out to look at items like this.
Jack

[Flintfinder of Mo.]

I agree, and he sure didnt beat around the bush about his conclusion.... Got to love people that tell it like it is....

[shartis]

My first thought on the clay tablets and still is were they were made by some college freshman in art/sculpting class as a laugh for decor for his fraternity house or dorm room. Then it was knocked over by a drunk during a party and broke. Just my thought.

[greywolf22]

Yes you do got to love someone like that.
Jack

[roustabout149]

My first thought, was that the tablets were, "disturbing", yet creative.  Greek mythology came to mind due to the content of the tablets.  "Vulgar", and, "Amazing", are the words that I felt described the art. Thanks to Dr. Tom Hester's evaluation, I now know that they're not of any ancient culture whatsoever!   Sometimes it's not, "what", you say when portraying a thought, it's, "how", you say it.  I will learn from this discussion and watch my words more carefully...as not to be misunderstood.
Tellin it like it is, is an excellent trait.  Goin about it in a tactful manner is another.  I'm not used to this sort of stuff!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[wmwallace]

Well Bdriller there is your "heavy" or was it the "guru" you were looking for. Apparentally a true professional from the "archie" realm was OBSERVANT enough to see what the rest of us fine folks here at AH.com knew all along!! TELL HIM WHAT HE"S WON BOB!!!!! LOL Love It.

[Flintfinder of Mo.]

Tellin it like it is, is an excellent trait. Goin about it in a tactful manner is another. I'm not used to this sort of stuff!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  Get used to it it your gonna play in this hobby, and I dont mean that in a bad way at all..Sometimes people swear by what they have regardless, They just wont except the truth... It makes guys that try to help pretty thick skined over the years... Have you ever watched pawn stars, or the antic road show??? Ever seen some of the faces when told the truth?? If you post fakes, weather or not on purpose.... Wouldnt you want to hear the truth? I dont agree with name calling.... We have to tell the truth, and Call them as we see them tho..

[wmwallace]

Bottom line Bdriller was disrespectful to knowledgeable people or are full of wisdom and have helped those like us who are still learning. When one tees up and takes a whack at folks I respect, well I am not fond of it in any way shape or form. Jack told the guy the truth and he systematically cut on anyone who agreed with Jack or any others who said it was all a sham.
  Switched his story I don't know how many times, I was born at night but not last night baby, bottom line he got what he deserved in my opinion-Bill

[greywolf22]

Pam 
Most of the people on the board are here to learn and help those who want to learn about artifacts. We do not have an agenda to attack someone on here that brings in nonsense, we try to educate that person. I sent bdriller to Dr. Hester so he would know what most of us here already knew, but from an authoritative person on artifacts, someone who is well respected.  Dr. Hester told bdriller what his thoughts were. Briller should have reported what Dr. Hester said but he did not. I wonder why?
Regards,
Jack

[wmwallace]

Well said Jack, the old cliche is true for many, "Sometimes the truth hurts"

[greywolf22]

I had a table at the Temple Texas Artifact Show for many years (will be back with two tables this year) and in the course of doing business you would always have someone come up and ask you if the artifact they have is genuine and what it is and I was always glad to do so but tell them it  would only be my opinion. I kept a microscope at my table so I could get a good idea real quick if what I was looking  at was authentic, most people were very happy with the information but not everyone.
At these shows there are always the fakers with their wares for sale, mostly high end items ...Clovis, Scottsbluffs, Folsom's, Edans, Plainviews, walking the isles looking for a pigeon to pluck, most of their stories go like this ...these are my personal finds...my granddaddy found these in 1925... these were in an old jar I found in a barn... I selling them for my friend who needs the money ... you can usually pickup from their demeanor if something is not right but not always, some are pretty good liars, so you got to let the rocks talk. 
These type of people have a tendency to protest much when you tell them in your opinion that their item is on the wrong side of right and walk off in a huff  looking for someone to agree with them or sell their junk to at a high price. I get up and pass the word among the dealers to watch out for these people as they are trying to pass trash. I also notify the show sponsors to keep an eye on them. The show has a Sergeant at Arms who escort out anyone dealing in fakes.
We need to work to gather to keep our hobby clean, but it an on going battle, and the best way to protect ourselves is with education.
Jack

[JoeM]

I'm a newbie here and came in at the end of this thread.
Enough of you had all ready explained to bdriller that most of what
you saw appeared to be reproductions and I did not see the need to
add my two cents. (Those tablets left me pretty much speechless anyway.)
I would just like to offer another perspective here.
Sure, when asked for your opinion, you want to answer with what
you believe to be the truth. And yes, sometimes the truth hurts.
But I can sympathize with bdrillers' position. He said that he had
heard of the "cave-Finds" and that he, "and the whole town", had known
about them for 25 years, and that they were finally brought out from
the "vault", or cave, for everyone to view and purchase. I'm sure the
question he was really asking was, "how much do you think they're worth?".
Authenticity was a secondary consideration, because how could they
possibly be anything but.
Reminds me of the time a lady came to one of our rock club meetings
for the first time and learned that I knew a little about artifacts.
She immediately said that her Grandmother had an axe head she found
when she was a girl working in the fields,and she wanted to show it
to me. She brought it to the next meeting and I could plainly see
that it was a water worn stone somewhat in the shape of an axehead.
But I also immediately noticed the thick polished patina on it from
probably over 50 years of children and grandchildren holding and
rubbing "Grandmas Indian Axehead". I hesitated but decided to tell her
what I truthfully thought, and she never came back to that meeting.
I realize that in person, one-on-one, is much different than a forum
like this, but since that time, when I have found myself in similar
situations, I have chosen to let people believe what they want and
what they always have. It makes them happy. If ever it would truly
make a difference, then I'm sure the truth would come out.
I am not trying to say that anyone on this board did anything wrong
by telling bdiller the truth. Infact, I don't think we had any choice
in this situation. I am just saying I understand how hard it is to
live with a belief for 25 or more years and suddenly have it shattered.
We've all seen this too many times before.
JoeM

[greywolf22]

Joe
This was a fraud in 1950 when they say the collection was found in a cave in Colorado and would have continued to be a fraud if someone did not take it to task who had the education to tell them what it is, we here took it to task, Dr Hester took it to task. They came here seeking information and we gave them what they came for. The truth now stands and they can now except it for what it is a big fat fraud or stick their head in the sand and let the truth walk on by.
In my personal opinion I think the guy was making it up as he went. I would love to talk to the ones that supposedly own this collection to see if what he has been saying has any legitimacy at all. I bet he will not supply that information because it would expose him. 
Best Regards
Jack