Magic Log Found in Cambodia

Thousands of people in Cambodia are flocking to see a "magic log" that was found at the bottom of a pond earlier this month. It's a big log (42 feet long). But what makes it magical, in the eyes of the people journeying to see it, is that it appears so well preserved for a log that's been underwater for a while. From Sky News:

Battambang province local, Nem Nay, explained to Reuters why he believed the log was magical: 'What I think is, why does this log not rot, even though it stayed underground for over a hundred years? It is still in such good state, unlike some metals, which would have rusted if it stayed underground for that long. I have never seen such a well-preserved log before, so when I heard the news, a group of villagers and I came to see it straight away', he said.

Some of the log's visitors hope it can cure them of their illnesses. But the majority seem to be hoping that the log will reveal winning lottery numbers to them if they rub talcum powder on it.

Paranormal Religion

Posted on Mon Jul 30, 2012


Comments

How many of them are just Twin Peaks fans?
Posted by John  on  Tue Jul 31, 2012  at  07:35 PM
The magic is in the power of faith and belief that this "magic log" possesses something magical, that will enhance their lives. Though this is farfetched, the "magic log" can be representative of the genie in the bottle that grants a wish of a lifetime. The lottery is the genie made possible by belief in the "magic log."

If people believe the "magic log" has healing powers, then it gives them hope for a miracle. Hope is a powerful medicine in itself.
Posted by dorothycharlesbanks  on  Tue Jul 31, 2012  at  08:08 PM
Actually wood is usually much better preserved when under water then when exposed to air. Many houses are founded on wooden poles which stay perfectly right for hundreds of years, as long as they don't get with their "heads" above the ground water level. Also there are quite some examples of companies and individuals specialized in logging underwater.

The next link is to the site of a company in New Zealand specialised in harvesting wood which has been buried underneath a swamp for about 30,000 - 50,000 years and still in perfect condition: http://www.arroyohardwoods.com/departments/Kauri/Hints/Kauri.htm

Other link is to some beautifull pictures of a specialised underwater logging robot:

http://boingboing.net/2009/10/14/the-sawfish.html

Summarizing: scientiffically it's pretty normal for wood to stay well underwater, even though it still can impress a lot...
Posted by David  on  Wed Aug 01, 2012  at  12:41 PM
It's loooog, it's loooog,
It's big, it's heavy, it's wood,
It's looog, it's looooog.....
It's better than bad- it's good!
Posted by Meringue  on  Fri Aug 03, 2012  at  10:58 PM
Venice is largely built on alderwood piles which have remained sound after hundreds of years under water.
Posted by MrHenderson  on  Wed Aug 22, 2012  at  03:37 PM
I'm betting the pond had a lot of soft rotting vegetation in it, releasing tannins and making the water acidic, which would help to prevent anaerobic bacteria/fungus etc from breaking down the wood. See it all the time in peat bogs(and we all know about the amazing preservation of bog people :D).
Posted by Rumtopf  on  Wed Aug 29, 2012  at  02:15 PM
claiming the log is 100 years old does not make it so...
Posted by Martin Sommer  on  Fri Dec 21, 2012  at  01:46 AM
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