Freethought & Rationalism Archive

WinAce · 12-15-2002, 11:32 PM

<a href="http://www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/magazines/docs/v16n2_battery.asp" target="_blank">http://www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/magazines/docs/v16n2_battery.asp</a>

<a href="http://www.unmuseum.org/bbattery.htm" target="_blank">http://www.unmuseum.org/bbattery.htm</a>

<a href="http://acs.madonna.edu/~8781/tour01.html" target="_blank">http://acs.madonna.edu/~8781/tour01.html</a>

While reading AnswersInGenesis (for the entertainment value), my curiosity was piqued as I saw this - an alleged electrolytic battery from Iraq of 2000 years ago.

What's the lowdown on this thing? It *sounds* somewhat plausible, but I've been able to find NO INFO whatsoever that didn't come from (A) AnswersInGenesis and (B) sites that also feature the Loch Ness monster and crop circles.

There appears to be no skeptical point of view on it, either. So, what's the deal - is it a forgery, something that wasn't a battery at all but got represented as such by the Paluxy mantrack crowed,

or legit? If it is, my opinion of ancient people just went up a notch.

[ December 16, 2002: Message edited by: WinAce ]</p>

Dan828 · 12-16-2002, 12:13 AM

Do a search on "ancient battery" or "Baghdad battery"

here are a couple:

<a href="http://www.smith.edu/hsc/museum/ancient_inventions/battery2.html" target="_blank">http://www.smith.edu/hsc/museum/ancient_inventions/battery2.html</a>

<a href="http://tlc.discovery.com/convergence/ark/articles/battery.html" target="_blank">http://tlc.discovery.com/convergence/ark/articles/battery.html</a>

There is some thinking it was used to electroplate jewelry.

[ December 16, 2002: Message edited by: Dan828 ]</p>

Marduk · 12-16-2002, 02:56 PM

It seems legit, the Battery was found in the house of an alchemist/healer, another theory is that it was used to help relieve pain with a mild shock. Before the battery they would place people in pools with mildy electric eels/fish to relieve pain.
Alchemists of old spent their whole lives mixing things together, now and then they got something.
Keep in mind you can generate a few volts with a potato.

Krieger · 12-16-2002, 11:50 PM

I actually did an experiment on the "Baghdad battery" for an 8th grade science class. It worked btw, but they could have used it for anything.

[ December 17, 2002: Message edited by: Krieger ]</p>

idiom · 12-17-2002, 02:05 AM

We have many examples of electro-plated jewelery from up to 4000 years ago.

Hypernovean · 12-17-2002, 04:06 AM

Hasn't this, or things like it, cropped up in those pathetic 'ancient astronaut theories' before?

Yggdrasill · 12-17-2002, 04:48 AM

Maybe it was used in conjunction with the lightbulb that some scientists think the Egyptians had. Here's a webpage: <a href="http://www.theforbiddenknowledge.com/chaptera/" target="_blank">Egyptian Lightbulb</a>
The page isn't that good, but the picture from Denderah and the mpg are the important bits, just ignore the rest.
Ohh, found another one: <a href="http://www.consciousevolution.com/Rennes/lightbulb.htm" target="_blank">Pictures from Denderah</a>

The Admiral · 12-17-2002, 05:33 AM

I think National Geographic had articles on it and other artifacts about 30 years ago. Remember the one that looked just like a jet fighter?

The Admiral

The Admiral · 12-17-2002, 05:36 AM

Can any good come out of Von Daniken?

Marduk · 12-17-2002, 08:32 AM

"Can any good come out of Von Daniken?"

Hell yea! Stargate SG-1 is one of my favorite Sci-fi shows!!

12-15-2002, 11:32 PM	#1
WinAce Beloved Deceased Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Carrboro, NC Posts: 1,539	2000 year old electric battery? <a href="http://www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/magazines/docs/v16n2_battery.asp" target="_blank">http://www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/magazines/docs/v16n2_battery.asp</a> <a href="http://www.unmuseum.org/bbattery.htm" target="_blank">http://www.unmuseum.org/bbattery.htm</a> <a href="http://acs.madonna.edu/~8781/tour01.html" target="_blank">http://acs.madonna.edu/~8781/tour01.html</a> While reading AnswersInGenesis (for the entertainment value), my curiosity was piqued as I saw this - an alleged electrolytic battery from Iraq of 2000 years ago. What's the lowdown on this thing? It sounds somewhat plausible, but I've been able to find NO INFO whatsoever that didn't come from (A) AnswersInGenesis and (B) sites that also feature the Loch Ness monster and crop circles. There appears to be no skeptical point of view on it, either. So, what's the deal - is it a forgery, something that wasn't a battery at all but got represented as such by the Paluxy mantrack crowed, or legit? If it is, my opinion of ancient people just went up a notch. [ December 16, 2002: Message edited by: WinAce ]</p>

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12-16-2002, 12:13 AM	#2
Dan828 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Davis, CA USA Posts: 83	Do a search on "ancient battery" or "Baghdad battery" here are a couple: <a href="http://www.smith.edu/hsc/museum/ancient_inventions/battery2.html" target="_blank">http://www.smith.edu/hsc/museum/ancient_inventions/battery2.html</a> <a href="http://tlc.discovery.com/convergence/ark/articles/battery.html" target="_blank">http://tlc.discovery.com/convergence/ark/articles/battery.html</a> There is some thinking it was used to electroplate jewelry. [ December 16, 2002: Message edited by: Dan828 ]</p>

12-16-2002, 02:56 PM	#3
Marduk Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: the 10th planet Posts: 5,065	It seems legit, the Battery was found in the house of an alchemist/healer, another theory is that it was used to help relieve pain with a mild shock. Before the battery they would place people in pools with mildy electric eels/fish to relieve pain. Alchemists of old spent their whole lives mixing things together, now and then they got something. Keep in mind you can generate a few volts with a potato.

12-16-2002, 11:50 PM	#4
Krieger Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: ... Posts: 2,191	I actually did an experiment on the "Baghdad battery" for an 8th grade science class. It worked btw, but they could have used it for anything. [ December 17, 2002: Message edited by: Krieger ]</p>

12-17-2002, 02:05 AM	#5
idiom Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: New Zealand Posts: 49	We have many examples of electro-plated jewelery from up to 4000 years ago.

12-17-2002, 04:06 AM	#6
Hypernovean Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: - Posts: 67	Hasn't this, or things like it, cropped up in those pathetic 'ancient astronaut theories' before?

12-17-2002, 04:48 AM	#7
Yggdrasill Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Kongsberg, Norway. I'm a: Skeptic Posts: 7,597	Maybe it was used in conjunction with the lightbulb that some scientists think the Egyptians had. Here's a webpage: <a href="http://www.theforbiddenknowledge.com/chaptera/" target="_blank">Egyptian Lightbulb</a> The page isn't that good, but the picture from Denderah and the mpg are the important bits, just ignore the rest. Ohh, found another one: <a href="http://www.consciousevolution.com/Rennes/lightbulb.htm" target="_blank">Pictures from Denderah</a>

12-17-2002, 05:33 AM	#8
The Admiral Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Racine, Wi. USA Posts: 768	I think National Geographic had articles on it and other artifacts about 30 years ago. Remember the one that looked just like a jet fighter? The Admiral

12-17-2002, 05:36 AM	#9
The Admiral Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Racine, Wi. USA Posts: 768	Can any good come out of Von Daniken?

12-17-2002, 08:32 AM	#10
Marduk Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: the 10th planet Posts: 5,065	"Can any good come out of Von Daniken?" Hell yea! Stargate SG-1 is one of my favorite Sci-fi shows!!

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