An '800-year-old mobile phone' was left behind by aliens in Austria
Bizarre claims that archaeologists have discovered an '800-year-old mobile phone' have sent conspiracy forums into overdrive.
The object, allegedly found in Austria, is thought to be a clay model of a mobile phone with cuneiform writing engraved on the keys.
The lack of information on the dig, and the objects similarity to a Nokia mobile phone, have led many people to brand it an 'elaborate hoax'.
But there remain some UFO hunters who are making outlandish claims that this is evidence aliens once visited Earth, or that it could prove that time travel does exist.
Following the 'discovery', YouTube channel Paranormal Crucible posted a video, saying: 'What is it? Is it evidence of an advanced civilisation or time travel?'
The site says the artefact has a Sumerian writing style, also known, as cuneiform, which has been in existence for several thousand years, according to the Express.
Conspiracy website tothedeathmedia.com reported: 'According to reports, during archaeological excavations at Fuschl am See, (in Salzburg), Austria, researchers unearthed a mysterious artefact from the thirteenth century with cuneiform writing that strangely resembles a cell phone.
'This type of writing is typically found in modern-day Iran or Iraq (ancient Mesopotamia). 'What a device like this with Cuneiform writing is doing in Austria is something that no one is able to fully understand or explain.
'Regrettably the information about this 'sensational' discovery is limited.'
'We cannot explain what it is, whether it is real or not, but it has caught our attention and we would love to know more about it.
The lack of information online, and the fact that any object with ancient cuneiform script could end up in Austria, has caused hardened conspiracy theo- rists to doubt the discovery.
Conspiracy theorists say that there have been several discoveries of outof-place archaeological artifacts that challenge history.
According to the Inquisitr, they say archaeologists cover up such discoveries.
Scott Waring, editor of UFO Sighting Daily, however, is convinced this is evidence of aliens visiting ancient civilisations on Earth.
'It is evident from this cell phone like device that someone with an advanced knowledge of the future created it,' he wrote.
'The language is said to go back tens of thousands of years…very cool discovery.'