From Rosetta to Blarney: The Fascinating World of Historical Stones

Welcome to the Strange History Podcast, where we talk about the weird and the

wonderful and sometimes not so wonderful history that has shaped our world into who we

are today. Let's dive right into it today. We can thank all the

people later we need to thank. I'm excited about this episode. Actually,

this whole season two is based around science space and everything to do with rocks,

plants, flowers, aliens, bigfoots, and other things that fall into

the science category. Many people do not know this about me, but I

was a science major in my college days. How I got into podcasting as

another strange mystery maybe we cover in another episode. This episode hits the science

category for me because it's geology, which is all about rocks. Okay,

don't judge me, but there's some pretty fascinating rocks in the world that hold

much history. We start today with the Rosetta Stone. Many people know Rosetta

Stone as being a place to learn a new language. Rosetta Stone actually is

likely played into this company picking their name. The Rosetta Stone is a granite

slab that's three foot nine inches by two four inches by eleven inches that was

discovered in seventeen ninety nine by a French soldier during Napoleon's campaign in Egypt.

The stone is inscribed with a decree issued in one hundred and ninety six BC

by King I'm terrible with these names people, Ptolemy fifth in three scripts,

Greek, which is the official language of their rulers and the common language of

the Mediterranean world at this time. It's also written in Egyptian hieroglyphics, which

is an ancient Egyptian script used by Egyptian kings and priests for formal use,

and the Demotic script, which is an ancient egypt script used for everyday writing.

At the time of his discovery, the ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphics script was still

undeciphered, and the Rosetta Stone was considered a key to unlocking the secrets of

this ancient language. In eighteen o one, the zone was surrendered to the

British as a result of their victory over the French in Egypt. Scholars in

Europe began working to decipher the hieroglyphics on the stone, but progress was slow.

It wasn't until eighteen twenty two when French scholar Jean Francois Champollion made a

breakthrough, but the hieroglyphic script was finally deciphered. Champollion realized that the hieroglyphics

on the Rosetta Stone were phonetic, meaning they represent sounds rather than just symbols

or pictures. He used a Greek text on the stone, which he could

read to identify the phonetic values of some of the hieroglyphic symbols. This allowed

him to decipher other hieroglyphic texts, opening up a wealth of knowledge about ancient

Egypt. But what does the stone actually say? Well as a decree that

says the priest of a temple in Memphis supports the reign of a thirteen year

old Ptolemy the Fifth on the first anniversary of his coordination. Today, the

Rosetta Stone is housed in the British Museum in London, where it is one

of the museum's popular exhibits. It remains one of the most important artifacts in

the study of ancient Egypt and the history of writing. Not to feel left

out, America has its own Rosetta Stone. The Rosetta Stone of America as

a term used to refer to the Dighton Rock. It's a forty ton bowlder

that was discovered on the Taunton River near Berkeley, Massachusetts, in sixteen eighty.

The boulder has the form of a slanted, six sided block, approximately

five feet high, nine and a half feet wide, and eleven feet long.

It's a gray brown crystalline sandstone of medium to coarse texture. The rock

is covered in petroglyphs, or carvings that have been the subject of debate and

speculation for centuries. The petroglyphs on the Dighton Rock are believed to have been

created by the Wampanog or other indigenous people, although their exact meaning and purpose

remain unclear. The carvings include various symbols and figures, including human and animal

forms, as well as geometric shapes and lines. The rock was originally located

on the bank of the Taunton River, but was moved to a nearby park

in the twentieth century to protect it from the erosion and vandalism that would happen

today. It is a popular tourist attraction and a subject of an ongoing study

and debate among archaeologists and scholars. The term Rosette Stone of America was coined

in the nineteenth century, when scholars first began studying the petriclypts on the rock.

The parison to the Rosetta Stone was made because, like the Rosetta Stone

and the Dighton Rock was seen as a potential key to unlocking the mysteries of

an ancient language and culture. However, unlike the Rosetta Stone and the petriclyfts

on the Dighton Rock remained undeciphered, and their meaning and purpose continue to be

the subject of much speculation. Next, we're going to talk about the Philosopher's

Stone. The history of the Philosopher's Stone is a strange and fascinating one,

as it has been associated with various mystical and supernatural beliefs over the centuries.

During the Middle Ages, many alchemists believed that the Philosopher's Stone was not just

a substance that could turn base metals into gold, but also had the power

to cure diseases in grant eternal life. This belief was fueled by the fact

that many alchemists claimed to have seen or even possessed the Philosopher's Stone, although

these claims were often dismissed as hoaxes or the products of beavered imagination. In

addition to its association with alchemy, the philosopher's stone also became a popular symbol

in mythology and literature. In the Harry Potter series, for example, the

philosopher's Stone was depicted as a powerful object that could grant immortality and unlimited wealth.

Interestingly, some historians believed the concept of the philosopher's stone may have originated

in ancient India, where it was known as the rasiana. According to Indian

myth, the rasiana was a substance that eternal youth and life, as well

as provide insight into the mysteries of the universe. Despite its mythical origins and

supernatural associations to pursue, the philosopher's stone also played a significant role in the

development of modern science. Many alchemists who searched for the blosophers Stone also made

important discoveries in chemistry and other fields, laying the groundwork for scientific method and

they advanced human knowledge in numerous ways. Overall, the history of the philosopher's

Stone is a complex and fascinating one, reflecting humanities enduring fascination with the mysteries

of the universe. In the pursuit of eternal life and knowledge. This next

one's a little more fun than the less view here the Blarney Stone. The

Blarney Stone is a slab of limestone. The size of the stone is about

four feet long one foot wide, and is built into the castle's and battlement

eighty three feet up from the ground. The stone is famous for its ability

to bestow the gift of eloquence on those who kiss it. The origins of

the Blarney Stone are someone uncertain. According to one legend, the stone was

a gift from Robert the Bruce of Scotland to Cormac McCarthy, the King of

Munster, and recognition of his support of the Scottish Wars of Independence in the

fourteenth century. Another legend suggests that the stone was brought back to Ireland by

the Crusaders, who had paint it in the Holy Land. Whatever its origins,

the Blarney Stone has been a popular tourist attraction for centuries. Visitors to

the castle climb to the top of the battlements, where they're held upside down

by an assistant who helps them to reach the stone and kiss it. According

to tradition, those who kiss the stone will be blessed with the gift of

eloquence. The legends of the Blarnee Stone has been the subject of many poems

and songs over the years. One popular song, The Stone outside Dan Murphy's

Door, tells the story of a man who longs to kiss the Blarney Stone,

but is unable to make the journey to County Cork. Despite this,

he believes that he can still receive the gift of eloquence by gifting the stone

outside of a local pub. There have been reports of people falling when kissing

the Blarney Stone, but such incidents are relatively rare. The Blarney Stone is

located at the top of Blarney Castle in Ireland, and to kiss it,

visitors must lie on their back, lean backwards over a parapet while holding onto

iron bars. This can be a bit unnerving for some people, especially those

who are afraid of heights or have mobility issues. To ensure the safety of

visitors, there's usually attendance on hand to assist them when kissing the stone.

Additionally, safety measures have been put into place to prevent accidents, such as

the installation of safety rails and the use of safety harnesses for children and people

with disabilities. Overall, while there have been occasional incidents of people falling when

kissing the Blarnie Stone, is generally considered a safe activity. However, visitors

who are uncomfortable with heights or have mobility issues may want to exercise caution and

seek assistance from attendance. Today, the Blarney Stone remains one of Ireland's most

popular tourist attractions, drawing visitors from around the world who come to kiss the

stone and receive the gift of eloquence. Some legends of the Blarney Stone the

legend of the Witch. According to this legend, a witch saved from drowning

by a member of the McCarthy family, put a curse on the Blarnie Stone

so that anyone who kissed it would receive the gift of eloquence, but at

a price. The kiss would also bestow upon the kisser the witch's ability to

de see Eve and manipulate others. The legend of Queen Elizabeth First. In

the late sixteenth century, Cormack TJ. McCarthy, the Lord of Blarney,

was called upon to pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth, the first of England.

Instead of offering his loyalty, he sent her a letter filled with compliments and

flattery, but with no real substance, characteristic of the gift of gab,

which is often associated with kissing the Blarney Stone. The legend of the Three

Musketeers. During the French Revolution, three Blarney stone masons were hired to build

a bridge across the River Stain in Paris. While working on the bridge,

they found a piece of Blarney stone and brought it to France. It is

said that this stone now resides at the Louver Museum and is a popular attraction

for visitors. The legend of Winston Churchill. It is said that Winston Churchill,

the British Prime Minister during World War Two, kissed the Blarney Stone during

a visit to Ireland. Afterward, he was able to convince the Americans to

enter the war, which turned to of conflict in favor of Allies. The

legend of the Swarthy Witch. According to this legend, a witch cursed the

Blarney Stone after she was refused to kiss by Cormac Tigh McCarthy. The witch

was said to have been so angry that she turned into a stone and was

incorporated into the battlements of the castle. It is said that this stone can

still be seen today that has the powers to heal any ailment. The next

stone we're going to talk about is the Cobba Stone. The Cobba Stone is

located in Mecca. It's a large black stone and is considered one of the

most sacred objects in Islam. It is believed to have been given to Abraham

by the angel Gabriel and is the focus of the annual Hajj hilgrimage. Framed

in silver, the blackstone's nature has been a matter of much debate. It

has been described as the stony, meteorite, basalt stone, or a piece

of natural glass and agate. The Cobba is placed in a cube shaped building

located in the city of Mecca in present day Saudi Arabia. It's considered the

holiest site in Islam and is the desk nation of the annual Hajj pilgrimage,

which is one of the five Pillars of Islam. The history of Kaba dates

back to a time of Prophet Ibrahim Abraham and Christianity and Judaism and his son

Ishmael, who were instructed by God to build a house of worship in the

desert of Mecca. According to Islamic tradition, the Kaba was built by the

prophet Ibraham and Ishmael, who are directed by the angel Gabriel. Kaba was

originally an unadorned structure made of mudd stone. Over centuries, the Kabba has

been rebuilt and relocated several times. The most significant rebuilding took place in the

earliest seventh century, when the Kaba was rebuilt by the prophet Mohammed and his

followers, who removed the idols that have been placed inside the Kabba and rededicated

it to the worship of one God. Throughout his history, the Kabba has

been the focus of Islamic pilgrimage and devotion. The black stone that is embedded

in one of the corners of the Kaba is believed to have been given to

the prophet Ibraham by the angel Gabriel. Considered one of the most sacred objects

in Islam, Muslims believe that the Kabba represents the house of God on earth,

and that by facing it during prayer they are facing the direction of God.

Today, the Kabba remains one of the most important religious sites in the

world. Attracting millions of pilgrims every year during the annual Hodge pilgrimage. The

site is surrounded by the Great Mosque of Mecca, which can accommodate over two

million worshippers during the Hodge. The next rock we're going to talk about is

the Stone of Scone. The Stone of Scone, also known as the Stone

of Destiny, is a black sandstone that has been used in the coronation ceremonies

of Scottish monarchs for centuries. The stone is believed to have been brought to

Scotland from Ireland in the ninth or the tenth century, and was originally kept

in Scone Abbey, which was the traditional site of the Scottish coronation ceremonies.

The Stone of Scone played a significant role in Scottish history. According to legend,

the stone was used as a pillow by the biblical figure Jacob when he

had a vision of a ladder reaching to heaven. It was also believed to

have been used as a coronation stone the ancient kings of Ireland and Scotland.

In twelve ninety six, the English king Edward the First invaded Scotland and took

the Stone of Scone to Westminster Abbey in London, where it was placed beneath

the coronation chair. It remained there for over seven hundred years and was used

in the coronation ceremonies of English monarchs. In nineteen fifty a group of Scottish

nationalists stole the Stone of Scone from west Westminster Abbey and took it back to

Scotland. The stone was eventually recovered and returned to Westminster Abbey, but in

nineteen ninety six the British government agreed to return the Stone of Scone to Scotland

as a symbol of its commitment to devolution. Today, the Stone of Scone

is kept in Edinburgh Castle in Scotland and is still used in the coronation ceremonies

of the British monarchs when they visit Scotland. It is also on display for

public viewing at the castle and is a popular tourist attraction. Stone of Scone

was actually just moved back to the abbey, where it was used in the

recent coronation ceremony of King Charles. The Third is the first coronation seventy years

that wraps up things about rocks, stones and such, let's talk a little

bit, and we're going to throw in a little fun. Here a few

strange news stories from the eighteen hundreds. While I was researching stones, I

ran across these and they were too good not to mention. In eighteen seventy

four, a man in California claimed to have captured a live mermaid. He

displayed the creature in a tank of water and charged admission for people to come

and see it. The mermaid turned out to be a monkey that had been

shaved and had its teeth removed, so it was a hoax. In eighteen

ninety six, a woman in New York City claimed to have given birth to

seventeen rabbits. She said that the rabbits had come out of her body one

at a time, and she had no idea how it happened. It turned

out to be a hoax, and the woman was charged with fraud. They

actually kept her in a jail cell for a period of time. She didn't

give birth to any rabbits, and then they caught somebody coming in with a

rabbit so she could pretend to give birth to it, and that's how they

carter. In eighteen thirty five, a group of people in New Jersey reported

seeing a strange creature in the woods. They described it as having a body

of a horse, the head of a deer, and wings like a bat.

The creature became known as the Jersey Devil, and sighting its of it

continued on for many years until today. In eighteen fifty nine, a man

in England claimed to have discovered a group of tiny people living in a small

box. He said that they were only a few inches tall and had their

own language and culture. The man exhibited the tiny people at fairs and carnivals,

but was eventually revealed to be a hoax. In eighteen eighty four,

a group of people in Kentucky claimed to have seen a giant serpent in the

woods. They described it as being over one hundred feet long and as thick

as a tree trunk. The creature became known as the Kentucky Giant Snake,

but no one was ever able to provide any solid evidence of its existence.

In eighteen seventy four, The New York Times reported on a man who claimed

to have invented a machine that could turn dirt into gold. The man's name

was doctor John Wesley Hyatt. It's supposedly discovered a way to use vegetable fibers

to make gold. However, when The Times investigated the story, they found

out that Hiatt was a known con artist and that his machine was a fraud.

In eighteen ninety, The New York World reported on a woman who had

apparently been cured of deafness by having a chicken head sewn into her own head.

The woman, who lived in Alabama, claimed that a local doctor had

performed the procedure and that she could now hear perfectly. The story was widely

reported in the press, but was later revealed to be a hoax. In

eighteen sixty nine, the Chicago Tribune reported on a man who had apparently been

cured of alcoholism by drinking a pint of his own urine every day. The

man, whose name was not given, claimed that he had been an alcoholic

for ten years before he started his urine cure. The Tribune noted that the

man appeared to be in good health that he had not had a drink in

six months. In eighteen eighty eight, the San Francisco Chronicle reported out a

man who claimed to have discovered a race of giants living in the mountains of

California. The man who was not named, were over twelve feet tall and

had hair that reached down to their knees. The story was widely reported in

the press, but no evidence of the giants have ever been found, unless

she talked about big Foot, but that's a whole other story. In eighteen

seventy two, the Boston Globe reported of a man who had apparently been cured

of boldness by rubbing his head with raw onions. The man, whose name

was not given, claimed that he had been completely bold for several years before

starting the onion treatment. The Globe noted that the man's hair had grown back

and it was thick and strong. In eighteen forty a brewery in London suffered

a bizarre incident and one of its beer vats bursts, causing a tidal wave

of beer to flow the streets. The accident resulted in the deaths of several

people who were swept away by the wave. In eighteen forty nine, a

woman named Mary Bateman was executed for fraud in England. Bateman had convinced a

wealthy couple she had supernatural powers and could cure their illnesses. She even gave

them potions that made them sicker that convinced them that they were under a curse

that she can only break. In eighteen ninety a man in France named being

Baptist Tropman was executed for the murder of family of eight. Troutman had killed

the family in order to steal their money and jewels. However, what made

the case particularly strange was that the Troutman had cut up the bodies of his

victim and scattered the remains in different locations. In eighteen ninety six, a

man named Joshua Slocum set sail from Boston, Massachusetts in a small sloop named

the Spray. Slocum sailed around the world completely in three years. The journey

was a remarkable achievement. What made it even stranger was that Slocum wrote a

book about his journey that became a best seller and made him famous. This

has been another episode of Strange History. If you liked this podcast, please

subscribe on Apples, Spotify, or wherever you're listening to your favorite podcasts these

days. This episode has been produced by deeji Me Productions and I your host,

Namy Domesico, had very much fun making this one. Thanks Darcast Network,

and thank you Spreaker for being the most amazing podcast host ever. Peace Out

Tonight's Episode