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Today in History: Prospectors find ancient rock with vintage spark plug

2/13/2026

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Summary

Story summary

On February 13, 1961, prospectors Wallace Lane, Virginia Maxey, and Mike Mikesell discovered a geode near Olancha, California, containing what they claimed was a 500,000-year-old spark plug. This find, known as the Coso artifact, sparked controversy as an alleged out-of-place artifact, later identified as a 1920s Champion spark plug encased in a concretion.

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Story summary

On February 13, 1961, prospectors Wallace Lane, Virginia Maxey, and Mike Mikesell discovered a geode near Olancha, California, containing what they claimed was a 500,000-year-old spark plug. This find, known as the Coso artifact, sparked controversy as an alleged out-of-place artifact, later identified as a 1920s Champion spark plug encased in a concretion.