Final moments of UFO researcher's life revealed as police release chilling minute-by-minute timeline

• Have a story? Email stacy.liberatore@dailymail.com 

By STACY LIBERATORE, US SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY EDITOR

The final moments of a prominent UFO researcher's life have been laid bare in a minute-by-minute timeline released by police following intense public scrutiny of his death. 

Authorities said 53-year-old David Wilcock personally called emergency services shortly before shooting himself outside his Colorado home on April 20.

The call was received at 10.44am local time, when Wilcock reportedly told dispatchers: 'I need to leave,' before stating he would be 'to the left of the house.' 

During the call, he spoke about ongoing health problems and mounting financial concerns, but refused to answer whether he was armed or planning to harm himself. 

Deputies were dispatched immediately and arrived within minutes, approaching cautiously due to uncertainty about the presence of a weapon. 

As officers drove toward the residence, Wilcock reportedly told dispatchers: 'I'm sorry to put you through this,' before disconnecting the call. Seconds later, deputies saw him sitting outside holding a gun to his head, prompting them to take cover and issue commands. 

Moments after officers ordered him to drop the weapon, deputies witnessed him fire the fatal shot just seconds at 11.05am, ending the encounter in less than a minute.

The timeline, released by the Boulder County Sheriff's Office due to widespread public interest, details the rapidly unfolding sequence of events that culminated in Wilcock's death outside his residence.

Authorities said 53-year-old David Wilcock personally called emergency services shortly before shooting himself outside his Colorado home on April 20. Pictured is Wilcock with Denis Richards

'David Wilcock took his own life on April 20, 2026, after a long struggle with depression and overwhelming financial debt,' the police report stated.

'His family and chosen family hope this loss encourages more focused attention to mental health care access.' 

According to officials, the first deputy reached the area at 10.53am but waited away from the property until backup arrived because it was unclear whether the caller posed a threat. 

A second deputy arrived at 11.01am, and the two officers coordinated a plan to safely approach the home together.

Approximately three minutes later, just as deputies began driving up the property's driveway, the call with dispatch ended after Wilcock apologized. 

Within seconds of arriving, deputies observed Wilcock seated outside the residence with a firearm pressed to his head.

Officers immediately exited their vehicles and sought cover while assessing the situation. 

At 11.04.02am, deputies reported hearing a single gunshot discharged in an unknown direction, though Wilcock remained alive and still holding the weapon.

Less than a minute later, deputies confirmed the firearm was still pointed at his head. 

Authorities arrived at Wilcock's home (pictured) to find him holding a gun, which he then shot himself with 

At 11.05.24am, one deputy issued a direct command instructing him to put down the gun.

Just three seconds later, deputies witnessed him shoot himself. The timeline shows that from the moment deputies first saw him holding the firearm to the fatal shot, less than one minute elapsed.

Following the shooting, additional law enforcement personnel were called to the scene to secure the property and ensure no other individuals were present. 

Deputies conducted a search of the residence and the surrounding area, confirming that no one else was inside or at risk.

Wilcock was pronounced deceased at the scene shortly afterward, and investigators began the formal death investigation process.

Two days later, on April 22, the Boulder County Coroner's Office officially identified the decedent as David Wilcock after scientific confirmation and notification of next of kin.

Authorities said the decision to publicly release the detailed timeline was made in response to significant public attention surrounding the case, including widespread online speculation about the circumstances of his death.

The timeline release was made with the consent of Wilcock's family, who acknowledged the high level of public interest but requested privacy as they mourned.

Wilcock's family also said in the police record that he struggled with depression and financial burdens

The police report also addressed rumors circulating online that suggested foul play may have been involved. 

Family members said there was no evidence of a cover-up, urging the public to respect their request for privacy during what they described as an extremely difficult time.

Wilcock, born on March 8, 1973, in Schenectady, New York, was widely known as a bestselling author and media personality who wrote extensively about UFOs, unidentified aerial phenomena, and paranormal subjects.

The investigation remains closed, with authorities classifying the death as a suicide.

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The real–life KRAKEN: Giant octopuses the same size as sperm whales roamed the oceans 72 million years ago, study finds

• READ MORE: Moment octopus 'blushes' after emerging from under a rock 

By XANTHA LEATHAM, EXECUTIVE SCIENCE EDITOR

The ancient oceans were once ruled by giant 'kraken–like' octopuses that measured up to 62 feet (19m) long, new research reveals.

Scientists have discovered evidence of a colossal beast that hunted the Late Cretaceous seas between 72 and 100 million years ago.

They competed with – and perhaps even preyed upon – large ocean apex dinosaurs such as the ferocious mosasaur.

This is unusual, the experts said, because they evolved to have soft bodies instead of protective shells.

However, this may have given them unprecedented mobility, vision and intelligence.

The discovery was made after a team re–examined 15 large fossil jaws from ancient octopus relatives and found two new species – one of which grew to remarkable lengths.

This species, called Nanaimoteuthis haggarti, featured extensive wear in their jaws, indicating they were active carnivores that routinely crushed hard shells and bones with powerful bites.

It's also believed they used their long, flexible arms to seize large prey while dismantling it with their strong beaks – a behaviour that has been linked to advanced intelligence.

Scientists have discovered evidence of a colossal beast that hunted the Late Cretaceous seas between 72 and 100 million years ago

'This extensive wear suggests dynamic crushing of hard skeletons,' the team, from Hokkaido University, wrote in the journal Science.

'With a calculated total length of (up to) 62 feet (19m) these octopuses may represent the largest invertebrates thus described, rivalling contemporaneous giant marine reptiles.'

For comparison, humans measure, on average, 5ft6 (1.7m) tall while elephants reach a height of around 10 feet (3m).

This ancient octopus would also have eclipsed a London bus, which comes in at around 36 feet (11m) long.

While it was comparable to the length of a sperm whale, at 66ft (20m) long, it wouldn't have quite measured up to a blue whale, which can grow up to 90 feet (27m) long.

The other newly–discovered species, called Nanaimoteuthis jeletzkyi, was also a predator but was on the smaller size, growing up to 26 feet (8m) in length.

The researchers said the findings indicate these two species were not merely prey.

Instead, they were highly active participants in shaping marine ecosystems while occupying roles previously attributed only to large vertebrates such as sharks.

The team said the wear and tear found on fossilised jaws indicated they were active carnivores that routinely crushed hard shells and bone

'In the largest individuals, the jaws showed extensive wear with once–sharp features in small juveniles becoming blunted and rounded over time,' the scientists said.

'The long scratches distributed on wide areas of their jaw reflect the dynamic use of the entire jaw for dismantling prey.'

They said that the loss of jaw edges isn't even on each side, indicating the octopuses had a 'preferred' side to chew on.

This has been linked to a highly–developed brain and cognition, indicating 'that the earliest octopuses already possessed advanced intelligence'.

'Long after the rise of vertebrate top predators, octopuses evolved body plans capable of rivalling them, as demonstrated here,' the team concluded.

Researchers previously said the skin patterns that octopuses create while they are snoozing may indicate they are capable of something similar to dreaming.

Like people, octopuses transition between two sleep stages – a quiet stage and an active stage that resembles rapid eye movement (REM) sleep in mammals.

While awake, octopuses create a number of different skin patterns which they use to camouflage themselves in different environments, and in social or threat displays, such as warning off predators and communicating with each other.

The size of N. haggarti compared to other marine predators of the time. A human is also depicted – showing the sheer size of the ancient colossal beast

The animals cycled through these same skin patterns during active sleep, the study found. 

Other ancient octopus–like predators include the oldest known ancestor of the vampire squid, that had extra–long suckers and hair–like strands on its arms that it used to trap prey.

This differs from the modern–day vampire squid, which feeds only on organic drifting matter and is not built for active hunting, with less robust suckers.

A research team from Sorbonne University in France used a three–dimensional imaging technique on a 164 million–year–old fossilised specimen of this cephalopod.

They found evidence of muscular suckers on the tips of two specialised, long dorsal arms, suggesting it was an active predatory hunter.

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Biblical discovery in Egypt as statue linked to story of Moses is found near the Red Sea 

By STACY LIBERATORE, US SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY EDITOR

Archaeologists have uncovered part of an ancient statue of a pharaoh in Egypt, who, according to many scholars, is the king mentioned in the biblical story of Moses.

The fragment is thought to depict Ramesses II, one of ancient Egypt's most powerful rulers and a figure many historians associate with the pharaoh described in the Book of Exodus.

According to the Bible, Moses confronted a pharaoh who refused to free the Israelites from slavery, setting off the events described in the Exodus narrative. 

Part of the large statue, including its legs and base, was discovered at Tel Faraoun in Egypt's eastern Nile Delta, just northwest of the Red Sea, during ongoing excavations led by the country's Supreme Council of Antiquities.

The unearthed fragment stands about seven feet tall and is estimated to weigh between five and six tons, according to officials overseeing the dig.

Although parts of the statue are worn and damaged, archaeologists said enough detail remains to link it to royal sculptures created during Egypt's New Kingdom period, which lasted from about 1550 to 1070 BC.

Early analysis suggests the statue may not have originally been carved for the site where it was discovered.

Researchers believe it could have been transported from Pi-Ramesses, the grand royal city established by Ramesses II in the Nile Delta.

The fragment is thought to depict Ramesses II, one of ancient Egypt's most powerful rulers and a figure many historians associate with the pharaoh described in the Book of Exodus

Ramesses II is said to be the pharaoh mentioned in the Book of Exodus that tells the story of Moses freeing the Israelites from slavery and delivering them to the Promised Lan

From there, experts suspect the statue was later moved to Tel Faraoun,  known in antiquity as Emet, where it may have been reused inside a temple complex.

Ramesses, who ruled from 1279 to 1213 BC, was known for his military power and strategic genius, leading an army of around 100,000 men strong.

People often identify Ramesses II as the biblical Pharaoh primarily due to Exodus 1:1, which mentions Hebrew slaves building the city of 'Raamses' (or Pi-Ramesses), a city famously built by Ramesses II in the 13th century BCE. 

While the Bible does not explicitly name the Pharaoh, this geographical link, combined with his long, dominant reign and the timing of the 19th Dynasty, makes him a popular historical candidate, often reinforced by popular media. 

While the Bible does not explicitly name the Pharaoh, this geographical link, combined with his long, dominant reign and the timing of the 19th Dynasty, makes him a popular historical candidate, often reinforced by popular media. 

Officials overseeing the excavation said the fragment may have once formed part of a much larger sculptural group, possibly depicting the king alongside Egyptian deities.

Comparable discoveries at other sites have shown rulers arranged in ceremonial triads, a common feature of monumental temple art in ancient Egypt. 

Archaeologists said further study of the stone, carving techniques, and remaining surface details could help pinpoint the statue's exact origin and better understand how it was relocated across the Nile Delta.

Pictured is the excavation site where the statue was found 

Part of the large statue, including its legs and base, was discovered at Tel Faraoun in Egypt's eastern Nile Delta (pictured) during ongoing excavations led by the country's Supreme Council of Antiquities

Many historians have long debated which Egyptian ruler may have reigned during the events described in the Book of Exodus. Ramesses II is frequently cited as a leading candidate due to references in the Bible to the Israelites building the city of Pi-Ramesses.

That ancient city, constructed during his reign, is believed to have been located in the same region of the eastern Nile Delta where the statue fragment was discovered.

Some scholars believe this geographic overlap strengthens the connection between Ramesses II and the biblical narrative of Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt.

However, other historians caution that there is no direct archaeological evidence confirming the identity of the pharaoh described in Exodus.

They note that while Ramesses II remains a popular candidate, the biblical account does not name a specific ruler, leaving the question open to interpretation.

However, discoveries tied to Ramesses II continue to draw intense interest because of his prominence in Egyptian history and the long-standing debate surrounding the Exodus story.

In 2024, another team of archaeologists discovered an ancient sword in Egypt linked to the Biblical pharaoh.

The bronze blade, thought to be around 3,000 years old, has the markings of Ramesses II, hailed as the most powerful king of ancient Egypt. 

The shimmering sword found in Egypt two years ago likely belonged to a high-ranking military official under the reign of Ramesses II 

The sword was uncovered among the ruins of an ancient military fort in Housh Eissa, a city just south of Alexandria, which featured barracks for soldiers and storage rooms for food, weapons and other goods. 

The ancient sword likely did not belong to the famous king, but likely to one of his soldiers stationed at the fort, experts said.

Elizabeth Frood, an Oxford University Egyptologist who was not involved in the dig, told The Washington Post: 'An object to bear the cartouches of Rameses II would suggest to me that it belonged to someone of relatively high rank.

'To be able to display such an object, even though it would have been presumably in a scabbard, was a marker of status and prestige.'

The sword was uncovered at a site called Tell Al-Abqain, which experts said was 'a crucial military outpost.'

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Researchers reconstruct 42 missing pages from a major early Christian manuscript – revealing text unseen for centuries

• READ MORE: Scientists reveal who wrote the Bible – and it probably wasn't God  

By XANTHA LEATHAM, EXECUTIVE SCIENCE EDITOR

Experts have recovered 42 lost pages from a major early Christian manuscript, heralding a 'breakthrough' for understanding ancient scripture.

Scientists successfully reconstructed passages from Codex H – one of the world's most important early New Testament scripts.

The text, a 6th century copy of the Letter of St Paul, was lost to history when it was disassembled at the Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos in Greece in the 13th century.

Its pages were re–inked and reused as binding material and flyleaves for multiple other manuscripts.

Today, the surviving fragments are scattered across libraries in Italy, Greece, Russia, Ukraine and France.

Using advanced imaging techniques, an international team of academics have now been able to digitally reconstruct the missing pages – revealing text unseen for centuries.

The findings shed new light on ancient scribal habits and early biblical structures, providing unique insight about how people interacted with their sacred texts.

'Given that Codex H is such an important witness to our understanding of Christian scripture, to have discovered any new evidence – let alone this quantity – of what it originally looked like is nothing short of monumental,' Professor Garrick Allen, from the University of Glasgow, said.

Scientists successfully reconstructed passages from Codex H – one of the world's most important early New Testament scripts

Paul's letters, also known as Pauline epistles, are a group of texts in the New Testament traditionally attributed to Paul the Apostle and are the earliest written explanations of Christian theology.

These letters were written in the 1st century and sent to early Christian communities and individuals, explaining Christian beliefs and giving practical advice to churches.

Codex H, a 6th century handwritten book, contains a collection of these letters and shows how they were being used centuries later.

The codex was later taken apart and reused in other books, with pages scattered across multiple countries.

The researchers explained their breakthrough came from an important starting point – the knowledge that at one point, the manuscript was re–inked.

This describes the process of a scribe tracing over the original, fading ink with new ink to preserve the text.

'The chemicals in the new ink caused "offset" damage to facing pages,' Professor Allen explained.

'They essentially creating a mirror image of the text on the opposite leaf – sometimes leaving traces several pages deep, barely visible to the naked eye but very clear with latest imaging techniques.'

Using advanced imaging techniques, an international team of academics have now been able to digitally reconstruct the missing pages

Using specialised imaging techniques, the team processed images of the remaining manuscript pages in order to recover 'ghost' text that no longer physically exists.

This meant they could retrieve multiple pages of information from every single page of remaining manuscript.

Radiocarbon dating was then used to confirm the parchment's 6th century origin.

While the recovered text contains known portions of Paul's letters, the discovery offers a unique insight into how the New Testament has evolved and been understood through the centuries.

Key findings include the earliest known examples of chapter lists, which differ drastically from how the letters are divided today.

The fragments also show how 6th century scribes corrected, annotated and interacted with sacred texts.

Meanwhile the physical state of the manuscript also reveals how sacred works were reused and repurposed once they fell into disrepair.

For historians, the newly–recovered texts provide evidence for how the New Testament developed over time.

A 17th century painting by Valentin de Boulogne depicts 'Paul Writing His Epistles'. They are regarded as the earliest written explanations of Christian theology

A new print edition of Codex H is forthcoming and a digital edition is freely available here, making these recovered pages available to the public and scholars for the first time in centuries.

Earlier this month, a separate group of experts uncovered a rare marble artefact that could rewrite the history of baptism.

Archaeologists have been excavating the remains of a cathedral in the ancient city of Hippos in Israel, near the Sea of Galilee.

According to the gospels, Jesus' earthly ministry centred around this area, making it a significant site in the history of Christianity.

And it is here that the team came across an unusual object – a unique marble item featuring three hemispheric cavities which they believe used to hold three different oils.

Traditionally, during baptisms, a person is anointed with two oils – one used before the water baptism and a different one used after.

But the new discovery indicates people used to be anointed with oils three times – and it could force historians to rethink the history of the practice.

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{ https://scientias.nl/nieuws/mens-gezondheid-psychologie/ }

Getty / Futurism

On February 27, retired Air Force Research Laboratory commander William Neil McCasland, who once worked at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, an Ohio base steeped in UFO lore, mysteriously went missing after leaving his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

By March, the FBI had joined the search for the general, sending conspiracy theorists into a tailspin, with some arguing that the agency’s involvement was “evidence of foul play.”

Now the story is getting even stranger. McCasland is just one out of at least ten scientists and engineers with government ties who either died or disappeared within the last four years in incidents that the FBI is now actively investigating, Scientific American reports.

In a statement, the FBI said it’s “spearheading the effort to look for connections into the missing and deceased scientists.”

In a separate Monday press release, the House Oversight Committee announced it was “seeking information from the Department of Energy, Department of War, FBI, and NASA about the scientists and other personnel connected to US nuclear secrets or rocket technology who have died or mysteriously vanished in recent years.”

The committee pointed to reporting alleging that “at least ten individuals who ‘had a connection to US nuclear secrets or rocket technology’ have ‘died or mysteriously vanished in recent years.'”

Lawmakers suggested there could be a “possible sinister connection between a string of mysterious deaths and disappearances,” which could “represent a grave threat to US national security and to US personnel with access to scientific secrets.”

Among these scientists is NASA Jet Propulsion Lab scientist Michael David Hicks, who died in July 2023 of a still-unknown cause. He studied comets and asteroids.

His daughter, Julia Hicks, told CNN that she didn’t “understand the connection between my dad’s death and the other missing scientists.”

“I can’t help but laugh about it, but at the same time, it’s getting serious,” she added.

Another JPL-affiliated space research specialist, Frank Maiwald, died in 2024, while an aerospace engineer, Monica Reza, disappeared while hiking in Los Angeles in 2025. Maiwald has authored papers on mass spectrometry and remote sensing instruments, while Reza was a metallurgist and materials engineer at JPL.

In December, lauded theoretical physicist and director of the MIT Plasma Science and Fusion Center Nuno Loureiro was murdered in his Brookline, Massachusetts, home. Then in February, a renowned Caltech astronomer who studied distant exoplanets named Carl Grillmair was shot and killed outside his home near LA.

Of course, it’s possible that investigators and lawmakers could be falling for sensationalist tabloid reporting. After all, the president of the United States has frequently furthered unhinged conspiracy theories himself.

Still, the pattern is striking. For now, the scientists’ surviving loved ones continue to be baffled by all the interest and widespread press coverage. Earlier this year, following McCasland’s disappearance, his wife, Susan McCasland Wilkerson, took to Facebook with some eyebrow-raising remarks.

“It is true that Neil had a brief association with the UFO community,” she wrote at the time. “This connection is not a reason for someone to abduct Neil.”

“Neil does not have any special knowledge about the ET bodies and debris from the Roswell crash stored at Wright-Patt,” she added, referring to the 1947 incident in Roswell, New Mexico, which became the basis for countless UFO conspiracy theories.

Meanwhile, conspiracy theorists are vowing to “keep digging.” Just last week, British tabloid the Daily Mail announced it had identified the death of an “eleventh” and “UFO-linked scientist.” The tabloid claims that 34-year-old Amy Eskridge, who died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in 2022, had been investigating “anti-gravity technology.”

More on the disappearances: 

• Retired Air Force Major General With UFO Connections Disappears in New Mexico

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Military pilots would stand no chance against UFOs that 'defy any reason'

Republican congressman Tim Burchett raised questions about potential sightings of UFOs, days after Donald Trump teased a release of government files on the topic

by Jerry Lawton Chief Reporter

A leading US lawmaker says Top Gun pilots like Maverick played by Tom Cruise would not stand a chance against UFOs he has seen. Congressman Tim Burchett said he has been shown photos and videos of mystery craft that "defy any reason that we have".

And he says they are far too well equipped to risk sending troops to confront. Referring to a barrage of unexplained military sightings of unidentified craft, Tim said: “These people are seeing something out there.

“I’ve seen pictures and video of things that defy any reason that we have. And everybody says, 'Well, it’s our stuff, it’s the Russians, it’s the Chinese'. If it’s the Chinese they would own us. If it was the Russians they wouldn’t be bogged down in Ukraine.

Congressman Tim Burchett said he has been shown photos and videos of mystery craft that "defy any reason that we have".

(Image: Getty Images/Science Photo Library RF)

“If it was ours, we would never risk our military fighting men and women in half-a-billion-dollar aircraft out with these things that they’re spotting. These things can hover for hours on end, then they can just shoot straight up, they can do angles.”

Tim said a US Navy admiral told him a craft he had seen on sonar was ‘almost as big as a football field’ and ‘traveling over 200 miles an hour’ underwater. He added: “We don’t have anything of that capability or that size.”

Last month he demanded a probe into a ‘dark’ pattern of deaths and unexplained disappearances of several scientists linked to UFO research.

He said he had seen pictures and video of things that "defy any reason" (Image: Getty Images/Collection Mix: Subjects RF)

He said he was disturbed by the cases including those of retired US Air Force Major General William McCasland and his former colleague Monica Reza both of whom vanished in mysterious circumstances.

McCasland has not been seen since February 27 when he left his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico, US, for a run. Despite an investigation by police, FBI, US Air Force officials and New Mexico Search & Rescue no trace of him has been found.

Reza was last seen nine months ago hiking in Angeles National Forest, California, with a pal. The aerospace engineer reportedly worked under McCasland on a US Government project focused on developing a specialised metal for rockets.

Tim says he has seen a barrage of unexplained military sightings of unidentified craft (Image: Getty Images/Science Photo Library RF)

It remains unclear if their disappearances are linked. But Tim said: “Something dark is going on. I know these scientists and researchers. They have testified. We’ve got to get to the bottom of it. It’s just too much, too much is going on right now.

“There have been several others throughout the country that have disappeared under suspicious circumstances. I think we ought to be paying attention to it. The numbers seem very high in these certain areas of research.

“I think we’d better be paying attention and I don’t think we should trust our government.”

Congressman Tim Burchett

(Image: AP)

Tim, who sits on the House Oversight Committee investigating UFO reports, has accused NASA of ‘lying’ about its knowledge and concealing classified files.

Asked why more whistleblowers had not come forward, he said they were frightened. He added: “They’re afraid someone will disappear them. I think being murdered is what they’re afraid of. I think some of them truly are because of things they’ve seen.”

He has previously accused the Government of misleading the public about extraterrestrial activity.

In 2023, he claimed officials were hiding the truth about aliens and UFOs and has alleged the US is reverse-engineering alien technology capable of catastrophic destruction.

Last year he said the Government was aware of underwater alien bases claiming ‘entities’ exist at several deep-sea locations around the world.

{ https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/ }

Mysterious Egyptian Tablet: Terrestrial or Extraterrestrial?

mariusalbertsen

On an almost daily basis, the ancient world continues to surrender artifacts that challenge our understanding of history. But some seem to have a real ‘wow’ factor. Among the massive pyramids and golden sarcophagi, archaeologists occasionally unearth objects so baffling that they defy conventional explanation. One such extraordinary artifact is an intriguing Egyptian tablet that has sparked intense debate among researchers and alternative historians alike.

By mainstream archaeologists’ assessment, this intricately carved slab of stone is designated the ‘offering table for Defdji’ and is simply a rather elaborate offering table. However, to others it bears an uncanny resemblance to an aircraft control panel, complete with what appear to be buttons, dials, and gauges.

This striking similarity has propelled the carved stone into the center of the "forbidden archaeology" movement. Enthusiasts of ancient astronaut theories argue that this incredible object is evidence of advanced, forgotten technologies or extraterrestrial contact in the distant past. However, mainstream archaeologists offer a vastly different, yet equally fascinating, explanation rooted in the complex spiritual beliefs of the Old Kingdom. As we dive into the origins and purpose of this peculiar stone board, we must navigate the line between modern imagination and historical reality. What exactly is this artifact, and why does it look like it belongs in the cockpit of a modern jet?

A clear unenhanced photo of the stone tablet designated as the offering table of Defdji, held at Rijksmuseum Van Oudhaden, Leiden, Netherlands.

(National Museum of Antiquities, Leiden/CC0)

Discovery of the Mysterious Egyptian Tablet

The objects origin is listed as Egypt, with the precise origin ‘Unknown’. When examining the mysterious Egyptian tablet, the immediate visual impact is undeniable and completely mesmerizing. Carved from a solid, flawless block of high-quality alabaster, the artifact measures approximately 0.5 meters (1.6 ft) in length and 0.3 meters (1.0 ft) in width. Unlike the typical flat offering tables found in many ancient tombs, this stone features a highly complex, three-dimensional surface. It is covered in a series of perfectly smooth circular depressions, raised nodes, and grooved channels that intersect at precise geometric angles.

Unlike the majority of ancient Egyptian offering tables, which are typically rectangular, the table of Defdji is notable for its rare circular shape. It is carved from a single, thick block of white alabaster (calcite), a material highly prized in ancient Egypt for its luminous quality and association with purity. The artifact measures 49 centimeters (19.3 inches) in diameter and is exceptionally thick at 13 centimeters (5.1 inches)

The layout of the carvings is what fuels the endless speculation about their true nature and origin. The overall design gives an impression of the dials and gauges found on an aviator's dashboard or a modern machine interface. Below these "dials" are raised rectangular shapes that look exactly like physical switches or levers waiting to be toggled by a human hand. The precision of the stonemasonry is so exact that it seems almost machine-made, an incredibly impressive feat for artisans working around 2400 BC.

For decades, photographs of the artifact have circulated widely in fringe science and alternative history communities, often stripped of their vital archaeological context. Without its historical background, the stone easily transforms into a piece of ancient high-tech machinery in the minds of modern viewers. Observers frequently note that the ergonomic spacing of the "buttons" would perfectly fit a human hand, further fueling the idea that this was a highly functional console. It is this tantalizing blend of geometric precision and seemingly inexplicable design that keeps the mystery of the tablet alive today.

Most offerings tables are rectangular like this one, which has 4 bowls for oils and the shape of the hetep carved (also held at Rijksmuseum Van Oudhaden, Leiden, Netherlands).

(National Museum of Antiquities, Leiden/CC0)

Ancient Astronauts and the Aircraft Control Panel Theory

The mysterious Egyptian tablet has undeniably become a highlight of forbidden archaeology, a controversial field that investigates out-of-place artifacts (OOPArts). Proponents of this theory firmly believe that mainstream science deliberately suppresses or ignores evidence of highly advanced prehistoric civilizations. When confronted with the tablet, these alternative researchers ask a very compelling question. How could a society armed only with soft copper chisels and primitive stone hammers conceive of and execute such a futuristic design?

According to ancient astronaut theorists, the artifact is either a petrified remnant of a genuine control panel or a fascinating "cargo cult" replica. The cargo cult theory suggests that ancient Egyptians witnessed advanced beings, perhaps extraterrestrials or survivors of a lost technological civilization, operating actual flying machines. Attempting to honor or replicate the immense power of these "gods," the local artisans painstakingly carved a mock-up of the machinery out of sacred stone. In this specific scenario, the mysterious Egyptian tablet serves as an ancient homage to a technology they witnessed but did not fully understand.

Supporters of this alternative view often point to other unusual Egyptian artifacts to heavily bolster their controversial claims. They frequently reference the famous "helicopter hieroglyphs" found in the Temple of Seti I at Abydos as corroborating evidence of ancient flight. They also point to the aerodynamic wooden Saqqara Bird, arguing that these items prove the ancients understood complex aerodynamics. When viewed through this specific lens, the alabaster control panel is not an isolated anomaly, but can be presented as part of a much broader pattern of forgotten ancient technology.

While highly speculative and largely rejected by academia, this narrative taps into a deep, universal human desire to uncover hidden truths about our origins. The idea that humanity's past is far more technologically complex than the history books claim is an incredibly seductive concept. It transforms silent stones into loud testaments of a forgotten golden age where humans and advanced beings may have interacted.

• Did the Saqqara Bird: Did Ancient Egyptians Know How to Fly?
• Helicopter Hieroglyphs? Debunking the “Mystery” of the Abydos Carvings

An offering table found from the Saqqara tomb of king Qa'a, the last ruler of the First Dynasty of Egypt. It is inscribed with hieroglyphs, like the example being discussed.

(Jon Bodsworth/CC0)

The Real Purpose Behind the Intricate Carvings

Despite the captivating allure of ancient flying machines, mainstream archaeologists offer a deeply profound, though decidedly less extraterrestrial, explanation. The mysterious Egyptian tablet is universally recognized by professional Egyptologists as an elaborate "Seven Sacred Oils" offering board. These specialized artifacts were essential, highly sacred components of elite burial rituals during the Old Kingdom, roughly between 2686 BC and 2181 BC. Rather than operating an aircraft, this beautiful artifact was designed to ensure the safe and successful passage of the deceased into the perilous afterlife.

The perfectly round, circular depressions that look so much like modern dials were actually small reservoirs meant to hold specific ceremonial liquids. These oils, which included exotic substances like festival perfume, cedar oil, and Libyan unguent, were highly prized and extremely expensive in antiquity. During the complex and vital "Opening of the Mouth" ceremony, priests would use these oils to ritualistically anoint the statues or mummies of the dead. This powerful ritual was believed to magically restore the earthly senses of the deceased, allowing them to see, hear, breathe, and eat in the underworld.

Offering table of Defdji. This round offering table is a rarity, the majority of offering tables being rectangular. Sometimes the table comes in the shape of the hieroglyph for ‘offering’ - ‘hetep’ in Egyptian – a reed mat with a loaf of bread on it. Here, this shape is included in the carving on the surface.

(Rijksmuseum van Oudheden, Leiden, Netherlands/CC0)

The raised "buttons" and intersecting grooves were not mechanical switches, but rather a sophisticated, practical system to catch spills and separate different sacred liquids. The names of the specific oils were very often inscribed in delicate hieroglyphs directly above or beside their corresponding reservoirs on similar tablets.

Surface Layout and Reliefs

The entire upper surface of the table is heavily ornamented with precise, raised relief carvings and finely incised hieroglyphs. The layout is highly structured and serves a specific ritual function rather than a mechanical one.

The central feature of the table is the hetep sign, which is placed horizontally across the middle in raised relief. The hetep hieroglyph, which translates to "offering" or "to be satisfied/at peace," traditionally depicts a reed mat with a stylized loaf of bread resting upon it. This central motif visually anchors the table and explicitly defines its purpose as a conduit for sustenance in the afterlife.

The surface surrounding the hetep sign is meticulously divided into a grid of small rectangular compartments. Each of these compartments contains hieroglyphic text specifying the name of a particular dish, drink, or purifying agent intended for the deceased. In total, the table catalogs over ninety distinct products, creating an exhaustive eternal menu. To ensure the offerings reached their intended recipient, the phrase "for Defdji" is clearly inscribed beside each designated item.

The Seven Sacred Oils

One of the most distinctive features of the Defdji table, and the element that most frequently draws modern misinterpretation, is the arrangement of shallow, circular cavities designed to hold liquids.

In the top panel of the table, arranged in a straight horizontal line, are seven distinct, shallow depressions. These cavities were specifically carved to hold the "Seven Sacred Oils," which were essential components of elite burial practices and the "Opening of the Mouth" ceremony. During this ritual, priests would use these consecrated oils to anoint the cult statue or mummy of the deceased, a process believed to magically restore their earthly senses in the afterlife.

The hieroglyphs corresponding to these seven cavities explicitly name the oils from right to left:

1.setji-beb (festive ointment)

2.hekenu (laudation oil)

3.seftji (balm)

4.nekhenem oil

5.twat (tua) oil

6.hatet-ash (top quality pine/cedar oil)

7.hatet-tjehenu (top quality Libyan oil) .

Below the central hetep sign, the table features additional circular depressions: two larger, distinct dishes carved in deep relief, and further below them, representations of two small vases and a jug resting within a bowl. These lower depressions and raised vessels were likely used for liquid libations, such as water, wine, or beer, which would be poured over the table during funerary rites.

The incredible precision of the carvings on this specific artifact was a pure testament to the immense wealth and social status of the tomb owner. Only the highest-ranking nobles could afford to commission the absolute finest stonemasons in the land to craft such a flawless ritual object.

Therefore, the tablet is a masterpiece of ritualistic art, embodying the profound spiritual technology of ancient Egypt rather than mechanical or aeronautical engineering. The ancient Egyptians did not need airplanes to travel; they built these intricate metaphysical machines to transport their souls across eternity.

Ultimately, artifacts like this force us to appreciate that while the ancient Egyptians were not flying jet planes, they possessed an extraordinary mastery of their environment. Their true "advanced technology" was their unparalleled stonemasonry and their incredibly complex understanding of life, death, and eternity. The sands of Egypt may have yielded this secret, but the artifact ensures that the conversation about humanity's ancient capabilities is just beginning.

• Top Image: Enhanced image of the stone tablet designated as the offering table of Defdji that has been circulated on the internet.     
• Source: National Museum of Antiquities, Leiden/CC0

By Marius Albertsen 

FAQs

• What is the mysterious Egyptian tablet that looks like an aircraft control panel? It is an intricately carved alabaster stone artifact featuring circular depressions and raised nodes that strongly resemble a modern machine interface or dashboard. While alternative historians claim it is evidence of ancient advanced technology, archaeologists identify it as a ritualistic object from the Old Kingdom.
• What was the true purpose of the tablet in ancient Egypt? Mainstream Egyptologists agree that the artifact is a "Seven Sacred Oils" offering board. The circular depressions were used as reservoirs to hold precious ceremonial oils during elite burial rituals, specifically for the "Opening of the Mouth" ceremony to awaken the senses of the dead.
• Why do people think ancient Egyptians had advanced technology? The belief stems from "forbidden archaeology" and the ancient astronaut theory, fueled by artifacts (OOPArts) that seem too complex for their time. Psychological phenomena like pareidolia also play a role, as modern humans tend to project familiar technological shapes, like dashboards or helicopters, onto ancient, unrelated designs.

References

• Anastasiia Stupko-Lubczynska, “In Search for the Ritual Origins of the ‘Seven Sacred Oils’ in Ancient Egypt: New Evidence from the Tomb of Meru (TT 240),” Journal of Near Eastern Studies 84(2), 2025, pp. 281–313.        https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/737333
• Esmeralda Lundius, “Multifaceted Religiosity: Reflections on the Use and Significance of Offering Tables in the 1st Millennium BCE,” in Current Research in Egyptology 2024, Archaeopress, 2025, pp. 204–224. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/395380613_Current_Research_in_Egyptology_2024_Proceedings_of_the_Twenty-Fourth_Annual_Symposium_Jointly_Organised_by_the_University_of_Liverpool_Swansea_University_University_of_Birmingham_University_of_Oxford_#page=226
• Andrew J. Koh, Agnete W. Lassen, and Alison M. Crandall, “The Pharmacopeia of Ancient Egyptian Alabaster Vessels: A Transdisciplinary Approach with Legacy Artifacts,” Journal of Eastern Mediterranean Archaeology and Heritage Studies 13(3 ), 2025, pp. 317–333. https://doi.org/10.5325/jeasmedarcherstu.13.3.0317
• Rijksmuseum van Oudheden. "Offertafel van Defdji." Available at: https://www.rmo.nl/3d-objecten/offering-table-of-defdji/
• Google Arts & Culture. "Offering table of Defdji - Unknown." Available at: https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/offering-table-of-defdji-unknown/xQGcVQeI-t8VJg?hl=en
• British Museum. "religious/ritual equipment (EA29421 )." Available at: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/Y_EA29421
• Wikipedia. "Helicopter hieroglyphs." Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helicopter_hieroglyphs
• ResearchGate. "Aerodynamic Investigation on the Artefact 'Bird of Saqqara'." Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/372304312_Aerodynamic_Investigation_on_the_Artefact_Bird_of_Saqqara

 

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