----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, January 18, 2002 1:39
PM
Subject: paleonet fantastic flint
forms
Hello everybody
Working on the history of palæoanthropology and
with an interest for "wonders" and pseudo-science I have stumbled upon an
examble of misinterpretation of natural formed flints as fossils.
In the late 19th century existed a "stenologisk
samling" (literally a "stone-ological collection") in the provincial town of
Svendborg on the Danish island Fyn (Funen). This collection consisted
of - among other things - a "petrified fowl", a "petrified girl",
"a mermaid" a "calf's head" and the biggest piece of them all: the so-called
"Svendborg-man" - a petrified man complete with kidneys, genitals etc - all in
stone. The collection is lost but photos are available.
Since I am about to write an article on this
collection I would like to know from professional geologists how common this
idea of seeing things-that-just-are-not- there is - does museums have a lot of
inquiries on for examble petrified humans ? I remember some good stories on
this list a few years ago but I have unfortunately deleted all of
them.
Furthermore I would be gratefull for some links
og references to where to read more about this subject or phenomenon -
preferably from a historic wievpoint.
Thanks in advance for alle the help!
Anne Katrine Gjerløff
MA, ph.d.researcher
University of Copenhagen
Dept. of
History