November 26, 2001: Egypt Illinois Cave - Dr. Glenn Kimball
The Art Bell Archive · Arthur William Bell III
January 17, 20252h 18m
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Show Notes
Art Bell speaks with ancient text collector and lecturer Glenn Kimball about a mysterious cave system in southern Illinois that may contain evidence of pre-Columbian contact between the Old World and the Americas. Kimball describes how ground-penetrating radar and metal detection equipment mapped a 525-foot inverted V-shaped cavern beneath private farmland, revealing what appears to be a 110-foot spiral stone staircase leading underground.
Among approximately 7,000 stone artifacts recovered by locals between 1982 and 1984 are carvings depicting figures with Jewish side locks, Moorish sailor headdresses from first-century North Africa, and solid gold pieces bearing what appear to be Egyptian inscriptions. Kimball reports that the original cave entrance was deliberately destroyed with black powder explosives roughly 15 to 20 years prior, apparently to cover the tracks of looters who may have extracted around $12 million in precious metals.
Sonogram imagery from recent expeditions reveals reflective surfaces consistent with gold, what appears to be a mummy on a table, and possible helmets hanging from a wall. Kimball estimates 28 statues remain inside, including at least one solid gold figure too heavy to remove.
Among approximately 7,000 stone artifacts recovered by locals between 1982 and 1984 are carvings depicting figures with Jewish side locks, Moorish sailor headdresses from first-century North Africa, and solid gold pieces bearing what appear to be Egyptian inscriptions. Kimball reports that the original cave entrance was deliberately destroyed with black powder explosives roughly 15 to 20 years prior, apparently to cover the tracks of looters who may have extracted around $12 million in precious metals.
Sonogram imagery from recent expeditions reveals reflective surfaces consistent with gold, what appears to be a mummy on a table, and possible helmets hanging from a wall. Kimball estimates 28 statues remain inside, including at least one solid gold figure too heavy to remove.