Remembering Our Fellow Questor at Richat
# A Light Extinguished: Remembering Our Fellow Questor at Richat
*By Questor Membership Secreatary *
*The Questor - June 17, 2023*
The Eye of the Sahara does not give up its secrets easily. This week, the global Questor community mourns one of our own, lost in the unforgiving expanse of Mauritania's Richat Structure. At his family's request, we withhold his name, but those who knew him will remember the gleam in his eyes whenever he spoke of "the great eye in the desert."
For three years, he had been mapping the mysterious concentric circles of this 40-kilometer-wide geological formation. His research suggested patterns in the structure's rings that defied conventional geological explanation. "It's like reading a book written in stone," he once told me over coffee in London. "But someone tore out half the pages."
Last month, he embarked on what was to be his final expedition to the site. His last message to fellow Questors spoke of "breakthrough findings" in the structure's northeastern quadrant. The exact circumstances of his passing remain unclear, but local authorities confirm he appears to have become disoriented during an unexpected sandstorm while working alone in a remote section of the formation.
Those of us who knew him will remember his meticulous research methods, his worn leather notebook filled with calculations, and his unwavering dedication to The Code. He was frequently seen at our annual gatherings in London, often holding court in quiet corners, sharing theories with younger Questors about the true nature of the Richat Structure.
"Some say it's just geology," he once wrote in these pages, "but geology doesn't explain the mathematical precision of those circles, or why ancient trade routes converged here like spokes on a wheel. There's more to this eye than meets our own."
His research materials have been returned to his family, who have graciously agreed to share his findings with the Questor community once they've had time to process their loss. His final notebook, recovered with him, contains what appears to be a significant breakthrough regarding the structure's true origin – but in keeping with The Code, and out of respect for his final investigation, these findings will be verified and published in due course.
To honor his memory, the Questor Foundation is establishing a safety fund for solo researchers working in remote locations. We are also reviewing our protocols for solo expeditions in hazardous environments.
He leaves behind not just a family in mourning, but a global community of fellow seekers who have lost both a friend and a mentor. His passion for unraveling the mysteries of the Richat Structure inspired many of us to look beyond conventional explanations and dare to ask deeper questions about our world's ancient mysteries.
As one Questor noted in our private forums: "He may have left us, but his questions remain, echoing in the circles of stone he loved so well."
For those wishing to pay their respects, a private memorial service will be held next week in London. Fellow Questors are welcome to attend, details will be shared through our usual channels.
The Eye of the Sahara keeps watching the desert, its circles holding secrets still untold. But one of its most dedicated students will no longer walk its ancient paths, seeking answers in the sand and stone. Rest well, friend. May the mysteries you sought continue to inspire those who follow in your footsteps.
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*Editor's Note: The Questor community extends its deepest condolences to the family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Alzheimer’Society*