I didn't read but the original post and I want to make my own contribution to this thread. After posting I will read the whole thread.
It seems like a bronze artifact.
A very nice piece of original art.
About the design decorations displayed:
a) Is not following a strictly stylized theme we can recognize and attribute some identity for this artifact, thus it must not have been intended for
a ceremonial purpose and might depict a representation of simple decorative art themed after a general and vague trend from the community it
originates.
b) Is following a strictly stylized theme but the general theme of the era is more relaxed. Such a type of relaxation in languages, artistic themes,
styles in religious practices often can be attributed to long distances with the geographical sources from where the actual arts, themes, and any
practices emerge.
In this manner we are identifying some themes, a labyrinth, a womb, a vague artistic representation of a medusa's head curved out like a non detailed
description of a face, and a prevalent stopped meander theme.
Aspects of the artifact like the handles shapes, and the lamina of the upper part of the vase especially reveal that the artifact was created from a
community that was advanced in metallurgy.
It appears that the construction required three stages, one for producing the overall shape, one for producing the laminar parts and one for joining
everything together.
It is a work of an advanced craftsman.
[edit on 25-9-2008 by spacebot]
A common modern misconception about Atlantis is that in antiquity was perceived as the mother of at least the western civilization.
Regarding Atlantis itself:
Atlantis (in Greek, Ἀτλαντὶς νῆσος, "island of Atlas") is the name of a legendary island first mentioned in Plato's dialogues
Timaeus and Critias.[1]
In Plato's account, Atlantis, lying "beyond the Pillars of Hercules", was a naval power that conquered many parts of Western Europe and Africa
9,000 years before the time of Solon, or approximately 9600 BC. After a failed attempt to invade Athens, Atlantis sank into the ocean "in a single
day and night of misfortune".
As a story embedded in Plato's dialogues, Atlantis is generally seen as a myth created by Plato to illustrate his political theories[citation
needed]. Although the function of the story of Atlantis seems clear to most scholars, they dispute whether and how much Plato's account was inspired
by older traditions. Some scholars argue Plato drew upon memories of past events such as the Thera eruption or the Trojan War, while others insist
that he took inspiration from contemporary events like the destruction of Helike in 373 BC or the failed Athenian invasion of Sicily in 415–413
BC.
While wiki often is not an accurate source, what is stated in the above is precise.
[edit on 25-9-2008 by spacebot]
Classification of Copper and its alloys
[edit on 25-9-2008 by spacebot]
Can ancient artifacts preserve their details?
[edit on 25-9-2008 by spacebot]
About the "two faces" facing each other engravings:
Pakal the Mayan astronaut, broke down in to parts
There is a striking similarity and it seems like a Mayan theme, although I believe they are picturing a stylized part of a womb. It was the only page
I could find having the "Pakal astronaut" theme broke down in parts.
[edit on 25-9-2008 by spacebot]