alexauxier

A picture definitely seems like a better idea. Sorry about that. I will try again once I can get to a scanner!

This past summer I traveled to the Colosseum. Great experience (although smaller than I imagined). I had a picture taken of me standing on the ground floor of the Colosseum. In the picture, there is a cone-shaped apparition which appears to be made of granite. It looks as though a large cone has been placed on several metal "legs" that support it, acting as it's base. It appears to be roughly 5 feet tall, inanimate, and...the best part...it has a VERY large flame shooting out of it. It took several days for us to pinpoint the description I just gave. At first I assumed it was a printing error in the picture, spilled chemicals for instance. Then I finally saw the cone and it's legs (which may or may not allow for the cone to swivel). I don't know a great deal about artifacts from this period of Rome. My guess would be...if this is actually a "ghost"...it was a type of fire-holder or (not to sound cheesy) a "goblet of fire." Maybe for lighting Roman households, possibly for doing the same at the colesseum? I would love to hear an expert opinion on the matter. I have search several journals and online publications, as well as image-searched Google, to try and find an answer. I think it will take a very brillant archaeologist to discover the secret behind my photograph...but PLEASE TRY!!! Thanks, Alex alex.auxier@webmastersintl.com