Context of the K4 Code

Main available information regarding the K4 code

Without claiming to be exhaustive, statements taken for granted for the K4 code can be summarized as follows:

The K4 code has 97 characters, which is very few to allow statistical processing to find the encryption method.
The encryption process includes at least two successive encoding layers.
According to the creators of the sculpture, a masking technique was used to make the application of decryption methods more complex and prevent “brute force” approaches.
The upper left corner of the second panel of the sculpture features some offset letters (DY A HR anomaly) which are believed to play a role in the encryption method used for the K4 code.
It seems that the K4 code is not the final step of the solving process and that there could be a hidden K5 code, the resolution of which could not take place without having previously solved the K4 code.
Several elements of the solution were revealed by the creators of the sculpture: “EAST NORTHEAST” (position 21-33) and “BERLIN CLOCK” (position 63-73).

Vigenère code using the keyword “PALIMPSEST”.
Solution: “BETWEEN SUBTLE SHADING AND THE ABSENCE OF LIGHT LIES THE NUANCE OF IQLUSION”.

Notable points

The position of the “Q” error in “IQLUSION” would not be accidental but would be a clue for the resolution of the rest of the code.

Vigenère code using the keyword “ABSCISSA”.
Solution: “IT WAS TOTALLY INVISIBLE HOWS THAT POSSIBLE ? THEY USED THE EARTHS MAGNETIC FIELD X THE INFORMATION WAS GATHERED AND TRANSMITTED UNDERGRUUND TO AN UNKNOWN LOCATION X DOES LANGLEY KNOW ABOUT THIS ? THEY SHOULD ITS BURIED OUT THERE SOMEWHERE X WHO KNOWS THE EXACT LOCATION ? ONLY WW THIS WAS HIS LAST MESSAGE X THIRTY EIGHT DEGREES FIFTY SEVEN MINUTES SIX POINT FIVE SECONDS NORTH SEVENTY SEVEN DEGREES EIGHT MINUTES FORTY FOUR SECONDS WEST X LAYER TWO”.

Notable points

Like the K1 code, the position of the “U” error in “UNDERGRUUND” would not be accidental but would be a clue for the resolution of the rest of the code.
The solution contains the geographical coordinates of a place, which differs from the current location of the sculpture (difference of around fifty meters).
The letter “X” is used as a sentence separator (this point will be discussed further for the resolution of the beginning of the K4 code).
“LAYER TWO” could refer to the K4 coding method. Also note that this part has long been read “ID BY ROWS” following the omission (voluntary or not) of one letter at the end of the first panel of the sculpture.

Transposition cipher, with the successive use of two matrices 42x7 and 14x24.
Solution (quote from a book by Howard Carter recounting the opening of the tomb of Tutankhamun in 1922): “SLOWLY DESPARATLY SLOWLY THE REMAINS OF PASSAGE DEBRIS THAT ENCUMBERED THE LOWER PART OF THE DOORWAY WAS REMOVED WITH TREMBLING HANDS I MADE A TINY BREACH IN THE UPPER LEFT HAND CORNER AND THEN WIDENING THE HOLE A LITTLE I INSERTED THE CANDLE AND PEERED IN THE HOT AIR ESCAPING FROM THE CHAMBER CAUSED THE FLAME TO FLICKER BUT PRESENTLY DETAILS OF THE ROOM WITHIN EMERGED FROM THE MIST X CAN YOU SEE ANYTHING Q ?”

Notable points

Like for the K1 and K2 codes, there is an error in the word “DESPARATLY” which could have a meaning for the resolution of the rest of the code.
At the beginning of the K3 code, some letters are offset from the rest of the text (DY A HR anomaly).
The solution, referring to the upper left corner of the tomb’s door and the existence of debris in its lower part, could, according to some, be clues for the resolution of the K4 code.