Did Ancient Martians use the Same Building Techniques as Us?
Mars Exoarchaeology Report: #MIA047 "Hollowed Building Block"
Observations
This object is fairly close to the rover and therefore due to the clarity of the image, the rectilinear shape is quite unambiguous, at least from the angle we can see due to the angle of imaging.
Details
Mars Report Ref: MIA-047
Report date: March 2021
Research Status: Open - Possible artefact
Description: "Hollowed Building Block"
Approximate size: 15-20 cm
Mission: Curiosity Rover
Location: Gale Crater
Identified by: Rami Bar Ilan
Image date: Sol 1448 Sep 2016
Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS
Graphics/image editing: M. J. Craig
Image source: https://mars.nasa.gov/msl-raw-images/msss/01448/mcam/1448MR0071730430703097E01_DXXX.jpg
All raw images: Sol 1448
Comments: #MIA047 Hollowed Building Block
This object is a prime example of the important line we have to draw between either dismissing something as just a random eroded rock that has some accidental symmetry, or whether we are actually observing a remnant piece of exoarchaeology from a past civilization on Mars.
What is needed desperately here, is to be able to view this object from a different angle that would enable us to assess it's true 3D nature. We could then either instantly dismiss it as a naturally formed rock, or alternatively, confirm that it is likely to have been deliberately fashioned by an ancient craftsman.
Unfortunately, the Curiosity rover trundles slowly by, taking pictures every 20-30 seconds or so, and as was the case with this object, three successive pictures were indeed taken, but none of them gave us a different angle that would have allowed us to assess its 3D form (see fig 47.4).
So we are left to make a decision whether to log this object as potential exoarchaeology for the archive and evidence case file, or not. In this case, I am persuaded by the symmetry and angles shown, that for me strongly imply design.
Internet Searches for Earth Analogies
What I usually do when analysing an object that reminds me of something 'Earth-like', is to do an internet search of comparable images that may throw up a hint as to its possible purpose and function. And because this had the appearance to me of a building block of some kind, I searched to see if there was anything comparable in the building industry world of our planet.
What turned up were these hollowed blocks that are used in 'tongue-and-groove' systems to interlock blocks when building walls (see fig 47.5).
Of course this is purely speculative, but given that Mars and Earth have comparable geology and rocks, then we might expect that any ancient builders on Mars would likely have evolved similar stone-building techniques as we did, with similar problems requiring similar solutions.
The Discovery of Ancient Intelligent Life on Mars, May Not Need to be a Surprise
For many, this exploration of Mars for signs of ancient civilization, is nothing but a fantasy and has no justification as a scientific pursuit. Well, they may be right that pursuing evidence for intelligent life on Mars may be a long shot, but I think they are wrong to disregard the scientific relevance of the question. I mean, are they paying any attention to the sheer number of exoplanets that are calculated to exist within our galaxy, and the chance that countless worlds may host intelligent, space-faring life?
We will just have to wait and see. For myself, all I want to discover is the truth, whatever it may be. So far, the evidence, while not conclusive, is, I believe, slowly growing towards a conclusion that will greatly surprise those who habitually dismiss such 'nonsense' out of intellectual arrogance, and who show a lack of respect for what the universe may be trying to reveal to them.
© 2022 M. J. Craig