American Stone

Image © Jim Gillogly "The geological reference here helps to contextualize the Agency's work, it aims to fit that work into the huge framework of geological time, which demonstrates both its pervasiveness and its potential for obsolesence [sic]," notes Sanborn. The stone creates a natural framework for the entire project as a tribute to the natural bedrock that extended beyond the surface of the ground before the Agency existed.  The stone, which includes polished red granite and quartz containing cryptocrystalline (virtually invisible) mineral formations will "endure as do mountains." The properties of quartz demonstrate the hidden forces of nature.  It's shape is a six-sided prism that ends in six-sided pyramids; it's crystals grow up from a matrix; only one termination pyramid is present; erosion reveals pockets known as cethedrals; it is derived from the Greek word Krystallos; it has the ability to split light into a spectrum; and it's prism faces always make a perfect 60 degree angle. Image © Jim Gillogly The tilted strata or sheet-like layers of various rock and metal tell a story, much like do fossils of prehistoric creatures, revealing otherwise untraceable aspects of an active existence.  The stone has a way of preserving an image from another time. Image © Jim Gillogly "We see a large 'natural' stone outcropping running parallel to the facade, through which the main walkway passes. This outcropping is composed of 12-inch-thick slabs of granite. Between two of these layers is a 'seam' in geological terms of green copper plate. The top of this plate which is exposed in several places is perforated with International Morse code, the simplest of all codes. This text can be deciphered easily by those familiar with Morse." Two slabs on either side of the pond teaming with life each have four layers of stone.  Nearby a kite or shield-shaped stone flat to the ground has a pyramid design on one of its corners.  A set of two strata layers in the courtyard form a line that points directly to the copperplate where they sink below the ground.  This coincides with a second set of two strata layers near the sidewalk of the entrance that forms a parallel line to the one in the courtyard.  These lines are virtually invisible.  Sanborn stated that he was disappointed that these two sets were not placed to perfectly coincide as intended. > Observation: Morse Code Elonka: Kryptos - The Bird's Eye View http://elonka.com/kryptos/KryptosAerial.html CIA: The Story Behind "Kryptos" http://www.cia.gov/cia/information/tour/kryptos_code.html Kryptos: The Sanborn Sculpture at CIA Headquarters - Johns Kryptos Main Page http://members.aol.com/SciRealm/Kryptos.html Quartz - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quartz