In December 2015, it was the discovery of an "ancient" mobile phone with cuneiform writing. Conspiracy theorists are once again having a field day with another time travel theory based on a video posted in 2014 about a "modern-day laptop" depicted on an ancient Greek gravestone.
The marble gravestone, which dates back to 100 B.C., is displayed at the J. Paul Getty Museum in California and named "Grave Naiskos of an Enthroned Woman with an Attendant." The ancient gravestone is about 37 inches tall and shows a woman and a servant girl.
The servant girl is shown holding up a rectangular object that resembles a shallow chest with an opened lid. The object resembles an opened laptop, complete with two small holes as the USB ports. The woman is shown reaching toward the object and even holding the tip of the lid. In today's world, it almost looks as if a young girl is showing her mother a Friends Day video on Facebook and the woman isn't much impressed.
According to the museum, there are many elements on the gravestone that signify her high status, such as snake bracelets, and the lion's paws and eagle ornaments on the cushioned throne where she is seated. The woman's hairstyle and clothing also portray that she came from a wealthy family.
"The depiction of the deceased reaching out for an item held by a servant has a long history in Greek funerary art and probably alludes to the hope of continuing earthly pleasures in the afterlife," wrote the J. Paul Getty Museum on their website.
Conspiracy theorists and paranormal fans said the "laptop" links it to the Oracle of Delphi. The video also talked about the Oracle of Delphi who connects the priests with gods in order to get advanced information. Showing a photo taken by a tourist, the video also pointed out that the box appears too narrow to be a jewelry box.
"The claim is ridiculous as it is clearly a box," said Dorothy Lobel King, a classical archaeologist.
Another expert, Janet Burnett Grossman, who penned "Greek Funerary Sculpture: Catalogue of the Collections at the Getty Villa," described the alleged object as an "an open flat box or mirror held by a girl standing in front of her."
Grossman added that the pose is prevalent on several Delos monuments.
