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The most useful lesson from the story is therefore both historical and practical. Forgotten technology can survive long after knowledge of its purpose has faded, and seemingly insignificant objects may contain valuable clues about everyday life in the past. But unknown antiques should be investigated carefully rather than tested through force, heat or electricity. Photographing, measuring and researching an object is far safer than experimenting with it. Sometimes solving the mystery takes longer, but a well-supported answer is ultimately more valuable than a dramatic guess.