On April 3rd, 2015 in a small settlement in Northern News South Wales, Australia, the demolition of a derelict dwelling unveiled information so compelling it initiated a worldwide investigation into the authenticity of its contents.
The Settler's cottage had stood on a large allotment on the outskirts of town for over seventy years. For the last fifteen of those years it had been uninhabited and in the proprietorship of the State trustee after the owner had passed away with no next of kin.
The contractors unearthed what was thought to be remnants of an old septic tank. During further excavation of the site, it was determined to be a homemade time capsule.
The local council ceased working on the site until the removal of the capsule could be arranged.
On June 2nd, 2015 the local history buffs gathered for the opening of the capsule.
The small group of residents and town officials witnessed the opening of the two by one metre receptacle. Enclosed they discovered a canvas satchel that held a large leather-bound diary and what appeared to be the manuscript of a fictional story. The origins of this manuscript are now in question.
In addition, and contrary to information stating otherwise, nothing else was found inside the coffin shaped container.
Until now, the contents of that diary have not been made available to the public and the manuscript remained unpublished. However, once the authenticity of the diary’s age had been established and the information within was mostly verified, it was decided that the writings would be released.
It is hoped that opening Mary Brook’s story to debate will help solve the ongoing mystery of whether her words are in fact fictional.
Following is an unedited transcript of the Autobiography of Mary Florence Brooks, we have inserted the story manuscript for continuity. It is hoped that in combining both the diary and the story, you will be given a complete understanding of her life.
In publishing her words, we hope to bring recognition to her work as a pioneer for woman in the field of archaeology.
We want to bring acknowledgement to her life, one that seemed to have been lived in relatively obscurity and self-imposed exile.
But above all, in sharing her story, we endeavour to open the collective consciousness to the possibilities of what our future may hold and to tempt you to accept Mary’s final challenge:
“Take my words, accept what you will, reject what you must, but promise me you will do something which I have not. Decide your fate.”