Part 1 to K4 of Kryptos Solved! (Update: Aug 3, 2009)
Wednesday, 13. May 2009, 03:25:36
This post is for reference only.
It's about the Kryptos sculpture at the CIA. It has a puzzle on it that has four parts. I'm not publishing what I found out. Instead, I will post an encrypted text and will reveal the key once I'm done with the rest of K4... unless someone else comes out with it first.
If you can crack this, then good on you. In any case, deciphering this will prove that I have thought of it first.
GRXHNTEMHDZAABLHYRNUFKXFGXTVHVEX UGSKQSLHTLAVHTAANSTOOYSFDUJRDAAR XRTIFEUELAHOAERIZXEEDSALAWMRRHIK HIWYDAWLUWNJNRDUDUDSHAUHENTAMEDS OHHUNUJWNTOEHBBSNRBTKFCEAARFXYSR SDOEVZSYENBBEKHVVBBHRREAVXOQZHSV DHUWLLHUJSRKHLJ
Time certification of the SHA1 digest for the above code.
http://timecert.org/2d0d5885cd8ad87b720a3471ab1a3b73b37b7c43
This isn't meant to be deciphered by anyone. Once someone else figures out what I have found, I can provide the information to decode it and then there will be no doubt that I had this information at this time.
Update Aug 3, 2009:
I've since decoded much more stuff from K4. I have roughly two thirds of K4 left to decode. This has all been documented and timestamped.
WIDGETIZE
Vladas # 13. May 2009, 04:58
By the way, I was thinking some time ago of how to prove that something was done at the exact time. And I found no better way than to publish it in some public blog, which represents by the way a good and proved timestamp machine. Hehe.
Vorlath # 13. May 2009, 07:29
Vladas # 13. May 2009, 07:45
Vorlath # 13. May 2009, 09:02
Time certification
http://timecert.org/9c254fd64d626ed4bd896730d441ee54ff1c428d
Sean Conner # 14. May 2009, 00:37
Vorlath # 14. May 2009, 01:54
Anonymous # 20. May 2009, 08:28
spc476: The "poor mans copyright" method, eh? I would not rely on it personally, as (depending on where you live) it may not hold up in court.
Anonymous # 9. July 2009, 16:14
We'll be chanting your name from the rooftops if you solve it. I'm not really sure why everyone is so secretive about their efforts to solve Kryptos. It's not like we win anything if we do. The level of our interest in this puzzle is not even remotely matched by the general public and after the swell of public interest we will be left to our everyday lives. I recommend we move past the Cold War paranoia and secrecy and embrace a more open and collaborative effort to solve it. You claimed this in May but have not made any progress in the past two months, just think of where you'd be if you actually declared what you'd found.
Vorlath # 9. July 2009, 20:26
If you want to see them, you can create an account on Opera and I'll set you as a friend. You will be able to see them in the Archive menu. If it's not of any use you, then I ask that you please leave it be. Also, I've already mentioned that I don't like the last parts. I'm working on a new lead that uses the first steps. Unfortunately, I'm busy on other projects right now and will be for the next month or so. To repeat, I haven't had time to look at ANY of my main projects, and certainly not anything related to Kryptos in the last month and a half (approx.).
Oh, you may also be interested in my theory on how to obtain the first two keywords. I've posted it in the KRYPTOS_SCULPTURE yahoo group. Abscissa is the best one. Palimpsest is just a guess. I also have a document on how to solve K3 base on previous information from the sculpture. All are at your disposal. Just email me (look in about screen) for the K3 document (it may already be in the KRYPTOS_SCULPTURE group... I forget).
Thank you for your interest.
Anonymous # 10. July 2009, 05:29
Rock on Vorlath, I stand corrected. Sucks that people had to be jerks. I've come up with some pretty crackpot ideas so I'm lucky to have dodged the roving critics. I'm off to find out what Opera is...
Gary Phillips # 2. August 2009, 05:01
Originally posted by anonymous:
It may not be money, but there's fame and credibility on the line. I think there are two camps on this issue. One is that people feel they are close to plain text and don't want anyone else to steal their thunder. That's understandable, but when it comes to Kryptos, "close" has traditionally meant "failure." I look forward to the day that trend breaks.
How would you feel if you had actually done nine tenths of k4 correctly only to have some chump do the last little bit and get all the glory?! I guarantee greed will trump your work in most cases, and the name in the headlines will be the guy who finished it. We're all benevolent until we solve it. This is why I recommend a timestamp here and there. Or join a group. Ten thousand people will get get equal credit, even if your contribution amounts to "Hi, I'm new to Sanford's puzzle."
The other reason why people are secretive is because of the importance of timing. The major players (anyone with professional web sites or blogs dedicated exclusively to Kryptos), when it comes to public perception, tend to maximize Kryptos hype and minimize doubt. It's about credibility on the one hand and persuasive power on the other.
I know in my particular case, all my findings and hard work are a secret because I don't really know what I'm doing, and I'm trying to decide if it's worth putting out there. By the time I decide, I'm usually pursuing something else.
Oooh! a piece of candy!
Oooh! a piece of candy!
Oooh! a piace of candy!
Vorlath, did anyone actually call you a crackpot? I'll have a word with them. I know crackpots. You may not be completely right -- who is?! -- but you're no crackpot. I think you have a bit of genius from what I've read.
Vorlath # 3. August 2009, 04:33
And what you said is exactly right. You work on 99% of it and then someone comes in and finishes the rest because they have a fresh mind and have more energy on one specific day after you've discovered something and indeed they will get all the credit. Only the last solver will be remembered.
BTW, I was surprised to find that this article came up on page 7 of Google for Kryptos. Not too shabby considering I only have a few articles on it.
Anonymous # 21. August 2009, 22:45
20091730cstaugust21
Question for You Intelligent people.
I know the STORY of Kryptos. I picked up on THE STORY
WHILE reviewing OTHERs solutions.
((and NO, I HAVE NEVER been onto a GROUPS site
or viewed ANY site with anyonelse))
i;ve worked strictly from clearinghouse w3.elonka.confusion
site.
MY QUESTION.
HOW MUCH is THE STORY WORTH??
No reward is offered, per se, however,
think about (a)book contract. IF Mr Brown can profit from
simple attachment to Kryptos Sculpture, THINK about a
book leading stepwiseand to THE (STORY) being answered.
and ...no..i do .nt. mean part IV. I refer to THE STORY.
Mr Sanborn has stated in interviews, i think with Wired.com
that ~even WHEn you solve the parts of the puzzle, you
STILL WILL NOT HAVE THE STORY.
i stumbled onto the STORY and THEn found parts of the
puzzle solveable AND EXPLAINABLE.
HOW to EXPLAIN and get something out ofthis?
(b) a movie, based on HIS-STORY of Kryptos, upto the
being released?? gotta beat the Movie D.Code, bad hairdew!
(c) interviews out of the kazoo..hopefully paying something
more than peanuts.
and HOW, timestampwise, etc, do YOU/I/Anyone PROVE we
have the solution to anything to do with the puzzle??
once you print it, you lose it?
i would LIKE alot to read your ideas on Kryptos??
I am about to attempt to get MY answer to KRYPTOS STORY
out AND keep control of THE STORY, at least my part
in it.
I WISH YOU THE BEST OF RESULTS, do NOT wish the prepared
GOOD LUCK, THEY ARE PREPARED TO PROVE THEMSELVES, not
to prove THEY need luck, they have SKILL>
MSMAGNOLIA
((oh yeah, i am on a BORROWED network, thanks VORLATH)
Vorlath # 21. August 2009, 23:54
As to proving what I know, I have two options. The first is telling people that you trust, but are not associated with you directly (no family members or personal real life friends). The second is that I timestamp it using the link in the article. The timestamp only records the date and a hash of the text. It doesn't actually keep the text itself. You could also encrypt what you've found and publish the cipher and keep the key secret (using a really secure algorithm).
I'm at the last part of K4 right now. Not sure if I've seen a story, but there is definitely some cohesion between all the clues.
Also, if you want to discuss anything, feel free to email me. Address is in the about screen. I promise to keep everything confidential.
What does BORROWED network mean?
Also check out my Krazy Kryptos blog. I explain TONS of clues there.
Anonymous # 17. November 2009, 06:31
Well if your solve does not have any relation to Monk's Mound @ Cahokia Mounds, then it's wrong.