
Press Release - Testing of Metal Fragments at Los Alamos 
National Laboratory, 8/1 and 8/2/96.



The small pieces of metal used for isotopic testing comprise 
a minute portion of each of the two fragments.

The photocopy attached is taken from the original cross section 
optical micrograph of the fragment enlarged 200 times.  It 
clearly shows the 19 layers of alternating copper and silver.  
It is important to note that the total thickness of the 19 
layers shown is only 0.015 of an inch.  It would take 
approximately 1,267 layers of the metal, tightly packed to 
equal one inch in thickness.

The point of comparison:  a ream of typing paper containing 
500 pages is 2 inches thick.  Thus, one inch equals 250 pages + -.

A further point of interest, not included in the report, 
is that the copper in the fragment has not corroded and 
the silver has not tarnished.

NOTE:  Enlarged below are the two final paragraphs of the 
3 page report, attached hereto.

"As stated in the above analysis, the Fragments' isotopic 
ratios are not unusual.  They are typical of terrestrial values.  
There are, however, some unusual circumstances that still 
require answers.  In conjuction with the isotopic analysis, 
we are able to secure a bonus of several cross section optical 
micrographs of each fragment.  This process is achieved by 
embedding the subject matter in epoxy, followed by cautious 
sanding and polishing to reveal its structural detail.  Fragment 
#2 is material thickness of 0.01 inch.  Fragment #1 is even more 
baffling for within its material thickness of 0.015 inch, 
nineteen alternating layers of silver and copper are documented.

The isotopic analysis has been a major step in securing accurate 
information.  The closer we approach a solution, the more 
legitimate questions surface that demand answers.  Until all 
the questions are answered, we at the museum maintain we have 
a mystery, whether it be terrestrial or extraterrestrial.  
The investigative research will continue.


