Theres a post in one of the metal detecting forums, I cant find it, I posted about it somewhere but I cant remember if it was here.
Anyways, a guy found this old chinese seal somewhee in the US, really ancient, and to cut a long story short he sold it to a chinese professor over the net. Next thing you know the professor is on a plane, lands in the us, wants to see exactly where it was found, takes photos and measurements, its in all the academic papers, big hoo ha, the professor holds court to all the experts. front page news etc.
It turns out its from the 1100s or something, and as far as the experts can tell, its proof that the chinese traded with the indians way back then.
The seal was from the emporer saying whoever had it was his agent and allowed to trade or something. It turns out that some of the symbols on the seal are used in Indian cultue to this day.
So.............18 inch dudes in the forest........anythings possible.
I wish I could find the post...its driving me nuts!