OOPArts, short for Out-Of-Place Artifacts, refer to ancient objects found in various locations that appear to have a level of technology that is not consistent with the era in which they were created. These artifacts often puzzle traditional scientists, attract researchers interested in alternative explanations, and spark heated debate.

For decades, many mysterious artifacts, known as OOPArts, have been found globally. Among them, the discovery of the Coso object, which is believed to be a half-million-year-old spark plug, has caused the most confusion for archaeologists and has particularly caught the attention of those studying alternative theories.

Coso Artifact: The strange discovery

On February 13, 1961, Mike Mikesell, Wallace Lanbe, and Virginia Maxey went gem hunting in Olancha, California for their gift business. They frequently collected mineral samples for examination, display, and sale. However, Mike found a common geode that appeared unique.

Upon further examination, it was discovered that the object was not a typical geode. Its outer layer was composed of hardened clay, which contained visible fossil shells. This was not surprising, as the area where it was found was once covered by water in ancient times.

The following day, Mike's saw blade broke while cutting the unusual-looking geode in his workshop. This led to the discovery of an artifact-like object within the geode - a circular object made of a material resembling porcelain, with a thin shiny metal rod in its center. It appeared to be a spark plug, but its age is a mystery as it was inside a geode.

After the object was examined, Paul Willis, the editor-in-chief of INFO magazine, noted its resemblance to a modern spark plug used in automobiles, which became a defining characteristic of the object. Willis also created a diagram of the interior of the "geode."

Upon examination of the object as a whole, consisting of the metal rod, copper, and ceramic, it appears to be the remains of some electrical equipment. Later, Paul and Ronald Willis conducted an experiment in which they cut a modern spark plug in half, and found that all of its components closely resembled the Coso artifact.

The 'Coso Artifact' could be around 500,000 years old

Virginia Maxey stated that a geologist had examined the fossils that encased the artifact, and they were determined to be at least 500,000 years old. This raises the question of how a spark plug ended up in a geological layer that old, long before the emergence of advanced civilizations.

Was the 'Coso Artifact' coated with a fast-setting material, rather than a geode?

However, the idea that the artifact is 500,000 years old has been challenged, most notably by Pierre Stromberg and Paul V. Heinrich. They argue that the spark plug was actually produced in 1920 and coated with a quick-drying substance to make it appear as if it was encased in a geode.

The only people who examined the artifact were the three who found it and Ron Calais, who believed that the official history of humans was not accurate. The artifact was on display at Wallace Lane's home for years, but he was not willing to let others examine it. Its current location is unknown.

Furthermore, the identity of the geologist who claimed that the artifact was 500,000 years old is unknown, which also raised suspicions about the validity of the study. However, it should be noted that Heinrich and Stromberg also stated that "there is no concrete evidence to suggest that the original discoverers intended to deceive anyone."

Without access to the artifact, they also pointed out that the material that encased it may not have been a geode, based on the initial description provided by the discoverers, who said it was covered with a type of hardened clay or rock.

Heinrich and Stromberg later presented X-ray images of the object that had been published by Calais to the president of the SPCOA (Spark Plug Collectors of America), a group of spark plug collectors from the United States. Based on these images, the association concluded that it was a Champion spark plug from 1920.

Critics of the idea that the spark plug is modern have pointed out the presence of a unique propeller or spring on the upper portion of the artifact, which is not present in contemporary spark plugs. This has led some to argue that the artifact is indeed ancient or prehistoric in origin, despite the conclusion reached by the Spark Plug Collectors of America.

Heinrich and Stromberg stated in 1920, the Champion plug was made with a brass shell that matched the spring in question, however, this component was removed in later models.

The 'Coso Artifact' was revealed again in 2018

It is reported that on April 12, 2018, the family of one of the co-discoverers of the artifact approached Pierre Stromberg and offered him the chance to examine the item in person. Stromberg accepted and met with the family at the designated location, where they showed him the artifact.

Stromberg arranged for geologist B. Charlotte Schreiber of the University of Washington's Earth and Space Science department to examine the item.

The inspections confirmed that the item was indeed a Champion spark plug from the 1920s. No shells or shell imprints were found on its surface. However, it should be noted that the research data has not yet been published in full and is not widely known.

Conclusion

The Coso Artifact is not well-known or researched like the Antikythera Machine, and its whereabouts are currently unknown. Without the INFO magazine story, X-rays and pictures, it may have been considered fiction.