Officially, it's a hoax. I'm at like 60/40 on this, with 60 being a hoax. We are being told that this sculpture was just lying around for years, and two dudes simply used it to create a TikTok video. The sculpture was allegedly excavated by miners at a location 340 kilometers away from the Russian town of Zeya in Amur Oblast.
Then, the officials came up with a different story, where this sculpture ended up being a result of some mine employee's hobby.
This definitely could be a hoax, but I am not 100% convinced. If this is indeed a sculpture, the skill required to produce it would be rather serious.
I could see an explanation where they took some guy with gloves on, gave him a sword and a shield, attached some wings looking things, covered him with some burlap, and sprinkled some dirt over... Yet, if this is indeed a sculpture made of stone...
Here are some comments from an article on a Russian news site. I'm too lazy to correct the Google Translate service, so posting as it got translated.
KD: Any opinions? Hoax or a cover up?
Then, the officials came up with a different story, where this sculpture ended up being a result of some mine employee's hobby.
This definitely could be a hoax, but I am not 100% convinced. If this is indeed a sculpture, the skill required to produce it would be rather serious.
Here are some comments from an article on a Russian news site. I'm too lazy to correct the Google Translate service, so posting as it got translated.
- Most likely this is a real find, perhaps even discovered earlier. And now the administration of the mine is coming up with versions to avoid closing the mine for archaeological activities on its territory. The find is no more mythical than a self-taught sculptor!
- For such a statue to just be lying around somewhere and no one paid attention to it?! Yes, this cannot be! Not a single believer would pass quietly by. Someone just needs to hush up this situation. Why ?
- It can be seen that the sculpture was created by the hand of a real master. all anatomical proportions are so respected, the angle of the wings, the volume. The eye of the artist and the hand of the master can create such a sculpture. The folds of the hood and the cloak itself are very natural. This garment is not draped over the top, as we can see on many contemporary sculptures. We feel the texture of the heavy fabric of the cloak. Hidden face under the hood as if alive. There is some history behind this.
- Yes, yes, yes, a fake statue, ownerless, made by Uncle Vanya drunk for fun, WHAT ELSE DO YOU OFFER FOR THE GOYIM ON THE SHOVEL? Anyone who spreads lies about the "fakeness" of this artifact can only wish a "fake" curse that conjures all their relatives and friends, but not in one knee. At the present time, it is impossible to live, as before, in an endless vile lie, and everyone who has not yet understood this voluntarily chooses their speedy tour to the kingdom of Hades with bathing events in hell.
KD: Any opinions? Hoax or a cover up?