STEAM Guideline: Method to distinguish machine marks from hand tool work

STEAM Guideline: Method to distinguish machine marks from hand tool work. STEAM is an acronym with five factors: Size, Stone type, Era, Angles, Morphology S (Size): Check if tool mark sizes surpass hand tool working range T (Stone type): Whether markings are on hard rock requiring advanced metallurgy

A proposed framework: 5 factors for evaluating mysterious tool marks—Size (exceeds hand tool range?), Stone type (hard rock?), Era (predates needed tools?), Angles (consistent?), Morphology (machine vs hand patterns). 2+ factors defy norms = possibly ancient machine marks. ⚒️🔍

Key Facts

• STEAM is an acronym with five factors: Size, Stone type, Era, Angles, Morphology
• S (Size): Check if tool mark sizes surpass hand tool working range
• T (Stone type): Whether markings are on hard rock requiring advanced metallurgy
• E (Era): Whether site predates existence of required metal tools
• A (Angles): Do striation angles fit hand tool usage customs
• M (Morphology): Do marks display hand tool or machine excavation patterns
• If 2+ factors defy norms, site likely has ancient machine marks
• Applied to Crocful quarry Switzerland: tool marks 40-60cm, soft sandstone, 17th-19th century era, angles flip randomly - indicates hand tools
• Bernese sandstone softens when saturated with water (water weakening)
• Swiss quarries used water-soaked methods with modern metal tools

Source: Megalithic Mystery: Ancient Machine Marks vs Hand Tool Marks by Curious Being