Israeli archaeologists baffled by discovery of mysterious gold device

Archaeologists are asking the audience for help after the discovery of a gold-plated, oblong object in a Jerusalem cemetery has left them completely stumped. After six months of trying to discern the purpose of an object that's been nicknamed "alien," Israel Antiquity Authority researchers turned to Facebook Tuesday to ask if anyone had any ideas.

The object, which weighs in at 8.5 kilograms and is rounded, oblong, and gold in color, was inadvertently discovered several months ago inside an ancient structure in the cemetery by a maintenance worker.

Archaeologists initially speculated that the object might be some sort of a time capsule or a military device, or even a piece from a large clock. Really though, The Jerusalem Post reports, no one has ever seen anything quite like it.

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