I am aware, as are most creationists, that SOME are recent fakes... copies of originals? To declare them ALL to be fakes, however, seems to assume
more information than seems waranted other than extreme predjudice. That is not to say that they may not all be fakes, only that the declaration that
they are all fakes is, at this time, unwarranted by the evidence.
There is also a division amongst some Christians not only between the Old Earthers and the YEC's (Young Earth Creationist), but even between the
YEC's as to the authenticity of the stones.
See
www.bibleandscience.com... for a negative (i.e., "fake") view of the stones.
See
yecheadquarters.com... and also
www.creationinfo.com... for more critical looks at the skeptics
offhand dismissal of the evidence.
From that last reference we read:
"In 1978, the NOVA program aired, "The Case of the Ancient Astronauts." They included the Ica stones as part of their analysis of the claims that
ancient astronauts visited earth. NOVA showed the viewing audience close-ups of the incision on the rocks. The incisions appeared to be fairly new. If
they were new, how new? Cabrera claimed the rocks were carved one hundred million years ago. Such a claim is sheer nonsense. But what about thousands
or a few hundred years old?
The microscopic analysis of the Cabrera rock or Ica stone revealed that it had a fine patina covering the grooves and incisions of the stone. There
was dirt and sand embedded in the crevices of the stone including some of the incisions. The natural oxidation had slightly colored the incisions so
that they did not have a bright white look. No evidence of modern tool usage or minute metal particles were found. The laboratory conclusion was that
the engravings on the stone were not recent but of some age. That age could not be determined because patina and natural oxidation cannot be
accurately measured. The patina is not an absolute proof of age, but it would be impossible to find patina on a recently engraved stone.
The stone has an outside layer of coloration and weathering. When an incision (cut) is made, it breaks that layer. If the weathering had been scraped
away and the stone’s natural color shows at the base of the incision, the cut is probably new. If the incisions have become weathered and the
stone’s coloration extends down into the incisions, then the stone’s incisions are at least "old" to some degree.
Any attempt to date the stones is a doomed exercise. The stones themselves are eons old. We can’t date the stones and we don’t even want to try.
We want to date the lines or incisions on the stones. The line we scratch on it today is only as old as—well, today. So the only way to date the
scratch is to look for patina, weathering oxidation, microorganisms, lichens or other features indicative of age.
The NOVA television special on Ancient Astronauts left the audience with the undeniable impression that the cuts on the stones were so new that they
had to be made in the last few years or even "yesterday." However, under a microscope and not a television camera closeup, there was real patina and
a film of oxidation."
... "The second stone from the Cabrera Museum was thoroughly examined. The groove did not appear bright or fresh but dull and slightly gray. This was
verification that they were not of recent manufacture. The stone had no pitting or pock marks in the grooves which are the result of saws or rotary
powered tools. The stone had an even wear to the grooves except in one area where there was considerable wear. The worn area may have been caused by
constant handling before it was buried.
... Anyone who postulates that they are fakes has gone out on a broken limb without historical or scientific support."