Scientists have been concerned about the origin of life on Earth for a long time. There are a huge number of different theories that supposedly should provide an answer to this difficult question. So, for example, in opposition to the official scientific theory, which considers Darwin's idea about the development of species to be the most reasonable and correct, there is the religious doctrine of the creation of man from nothing, the Supreme Being, which is usually called God. Also, lately more and more scientists come to the conclusion that life on our planet originated thanks to alien civilizations that visited our solar system. And this last assumption did not arise out of the blue. Every year, various artifacts are found around the globe, confirming the presence of more advanced creatures on our planet.
Mysterious mine in Africa
The Oklo region of the Gabonese People's Republic is one of the largest deposits of uranium ores on our planet. It should be noted that in the mythology of the tribes inhabiting the territory adjacent to the mine, there are a huge number of different legends associated with this rock formation. Most of them can be boiled down to the idea that the gods once searched the rocks for some kind of treasure that could make them invincible. It should be noted that similar myths are found among many peoples of the world. Therefore, it is not strange that before the events of 1972, scientists did not pay due attention to these strange stories.
In 1972, an event occurs that forces us to reconsider the attitude towards this place and take the legends of the aborigines seriously. About 45 years ago, the French government oversaw the mining of uranium ore at this site. It was assumed that the deposits of uranium ores are estimated at several million tons. However, what was the surprise of scientists when it became known that the mine was half empty.
It was logical to assume that the unknown could carry out the extraction of a dangerous isotope, without the permission of the government of the country, as well as curators from Paris. However, no traces of such work were found on the territory of the mine. This event caused a wide resonance in the public, because the missing isotope could be used to make a huge amount of nuclear weapons. A special commission was hastily set up to investigate this mysterious incident.
This was followed by more detailed studies of the field. During the investigation, it was found that in fact the concentration of a dangerous isotope in this mine is as low as in the fuel of a nuclear reactor that was already in use.
After a significant number of experiments and research, it became known that nuclear reactions in this place took place more than one hundred thousand years ago.
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There are no precedents in modern science when uranium could be leveled out without artificially triggering the molecular fragmentation process, i.e. without assistance.
The most logical option may seem that thousands of years ago, intelligent beings were able to start the process of fragmentation of uranium nuclei. This is confirmed by the fact that researchers found spent uranium and its long-term decay products in this deposit.
Is a natural nuclear reactor possible?
Immediately after this unique discovery, controversy arose in various scientific circles about this phenomenon. Just 3 years later, a scientific symposium was held in the city of Libreville, the capital of the Gabonese state, which brought together scientists from all over the world to put an end to this difficult dispute.
It should be noted that there were a huge variety of opinions, even some researchers admitted that finally humanity managed to find evidence of the existence of extraterrestrial intelligence, that this natural phenomenon is nothing more than a giant nuclear reactor, which was created and used for their needs by aliens. Of course, such bold theories did not find support in more conservative scientific circles.
Most of the researchers present at this scientific meeting came to the conclusion that the Oklo phenomenon is the only natural nuclear reactor in the world that started naturally around 200,000 - 100,000 BC.
Scientists came to this conclusion thanks to the research of the American nuclear physicist Notanel Barklow. Through various scientific studies, he was able to create a model of how chemical reactions took place in this place. At the heart of this mine is a thick basalt slab, which began to collect radioactive sand on its surface. As a result of earthquakes in this rather seismically unstable region, the basalt slab with accumulated radioactive sand fell several hundred meters underground. Falling underground, the basalt slab did not remain a monolith, in some places it cracked, groundwater seeped through multiple cracks, and created conditions for the origin of reactions. If we consider that the soil in this place is exclusively clay, then it turns out,that the necessary substances for the reaction turned out to be in the likeness of a natural cocoon, which became the very natural reactor.
Over time, when the processes of seismic activity of the earth's plates in this region decreased slightly, the process of accumulation of uranium began in the formed underground lagoons. According to modern scientists, in some cases, the percentage of uranium in such a lens could reach 40 - 65 percent of the total amount of substances. The process of pumping a critical mass gradually increased and only water, as a natural catalyst, prevented an explosion, but launched the process of atomic fission. Thus, the natural rector began to work. Subsequently, a natural cataclysm caused the uranium isotope to simply burn out, which put an end to the entire natural process of uranium fission. The entire remainder of the substance leveled out as a result of an abrupt cessation of fission, perhaps a local nuclear explosion occurred at this place.
According to the last calculations of the researchers, the power of the underground reactor was about 100 kW, and the power of the explosion, which stopped the whole streamlined process, was equal to 10 - 20 kW.
Nuclear burial ground?
However, there are other theories regarding this uranium deposit. Many researchers are not inclined to accept the assumption about a natural nuclear reactor. In their opinion, science is faced with an example of an ancient nuclear burial ground.
Scientists came to this conclusion after it was proved that a nuclear reaction could not occur due to any natural anomalies or phenomena. Fission of uranium occurs exclusively in an artificial environment and artificially. Based on this fact, most experts are convinced that Oklo is the first hazardous waste disposal site in the history of mankind.
The location of the mine is more like an attempt to dispose of a spent isotope, and it should be noted that the location for it is almost ideal. Let's say that a sarcophagus with spent uranium was walled up in a basalt slab. Modern science is trying to use similar technologies for storing hazardous waste, only because of natural disasters and an unstable seismic situation in the region, the sarcophagus burst and the waste leaked to the surface. Geological exploration took the increased radioactive background at this place for uranium ore deposits.
The theory seems plausible and has a right to exist, however, proceeding from it, another logical question arises. What civilization was capable of creating a nuclear reactor over 100,000 years ago and then trying to get rid of the waste materials, storing them deep in the earth?
Perhaps scientists need to take a closer look at the myths and legends of the peoples who originally inhabit this area. It is in the deciphering of the oral folk tradition that the answer to the question regarding the mysterious dew capable of using and regenerating nuclear energy lies. As mentioned above, the natives are sure that the gods once inhabited this place, and their power had no boundaries.
Some historians, trying to consider the history of mankind, discarding various conservative dogmas, say that our civilization is not the first to have mastered technology and achieved incredible development.
Increasingly, humanity is faced with various mysterious artifacts that do not fit into the canonical historical concept and make us think that history is moving in a spiral. After all, even before our civilization there were powerful peoples who were able to achieve unprecedented strength, but then destroyed themselves. It is necessary to try so that the present civilization does not suffer a similar fate.