A former Liverpool taxi driver’s chance encounter with two passengers in 1989 has led to decades of intrigue and research into a set of mysterious artefacts believed to hold significant historical value. Jim Willis, 73, from Anfield and now living in Walton, shared his extraordinary story with the Liverpool Echo, recalling how his life changed after accepting an unusual form of payment from two men he driven from Lime Street station to Fazakerley.
The men had no money to pay the £7 fare, but instead offered Jim a suitcase containing items they claimed to have found behind rocks on a Greek island, Corfu. Jim recalled, “The lads said they were playing football and the ball ran down the mountain, and while they were looking for the ball, they found it in a box, with rocks on top of them.” What appeared at first to be mere junk was reluctantly accepted as his only option for payment.
Over the following years, Jim and his brother Eddie, who lives near Otterspool, have been investigating the origins and significance of the objects, which they believe are far more than they initially appeared. The brothers now assert that these artefacts are ancient Chinese bronze vessels known as casters. They suggest these casters function as an early form of encyclopaedia, containing engraved images of constellations, animals, mountains, people, and ancient script. Remarkably, these engravings are said to include holographic elements and astronomical charts.
Reflecting on a pivotal moment when the uniqueness of the items became apparent, Jim described to the Liverpool Echo how one morning in August 1989 his wife Christine called him down to the living room to witness a rainbow appearing inside their home. He said, “As I stood by the door, to my amazement, there it was. So I followed the arc of the spectrum to find its source, and it turned out to be the vessel.” This phenomenon further cemented his fascination and determination to uncover their mystery.
Over the years, the brothers have sought counsel from multiple experts. A professor of Chinese Languages and early script reportedly told them the inscriptions are so ancient that they remain undecipherable. Jim also visited William Watson, a renowned late professor and authority on ancient Chinese bronzes, who is said to have confirmed that the vessels could be a form of ancient encyclopaedia containing “wisdom and knowledge from the ancient world.” Watson referred to an effect described as ‘the great shrinkage’, relating to the construction of the objects.
Eddie Willis, a great-grandad, elaborated on their ongoing efforts to document the findings: “From the very beginning when I came in with Jimmy to give him a hand with this, we recorded all our findings. We have VHS tapes going back decades, which we’ve recently digitised, uncovering details and colour images not previously visible.” The brothers have maintained meticulous records over the years, reinforcing the seriousness of their study.
The vessels themselves have a complex structure resembling Russian nesting dolls, with one container nestled inside another. Jim explained the effort involved in opening them: “After spending hours prising the seal open, there were six more objects hidden inside.” Despite their delicate appearance when separated, the vessels are described as being very strong when assembled.
Jim emphasised the profound nature of their potential discovery: “If the claims are proven correct about the objects and what we’ve been told by the experts, it would be like finding the Holy Grail, or having an invitation to the Last Supper.” Yet, he has never sought to sell the items, feeling they belong in their country of origin, China. He remains determined to continue research to confirm their provenance and significance before any further decisions are made regarding their future.
The Liverpool Echo’s report chronicles a fascinating journey that began with a routine taxi fare and has grown into a multi-decade quest to unravel the secrets of artefacts that might rewrite parts of ancient history. The Willis brothers remain hopeful that definitive expert validation will come and that their extraordinary find can be shared with the wider world.
Source: Noah Wire Services