Kryptos Code Solution Found After 35 Years
After 35 Years, the Final Code of the CIA's Kryptos Sculpture is Cracked
The enigmatic copper sculpture, engraved with four coded messages, has captivated cryptographers since artist Jim Sanborn installed it at CIA headquarters in 1990. While the first three sections were cracked in the 1990s, the fourth and final passage, known as K4, has eluded even the most brilliant minds—until now.
In a surprising turn of events, two writers have uncovered the solution, not by cracking the code, but by finding the plaintext answer hidden in plain sight within the Smithsonian Institution's archives.
An Accidental Discovery
After years of failed attempts by codebreakers, Sanborn was preparing to auction the solution. However, on September 3, he received an unexpected email from journalists Jarett Kobek and Richard Byrne containing the complete decrypted text.
Their breakthrough came after discovering that Sanborn's "coding tables" were part of the Smithsonian collection. After photographing the documents, Kobek identified glued-together scraps that revealed the original plaintext for K4, including the previously released clues "BERLIN CLOCK" and "EAST NORTHEAST".
Sanborn confirmed the solution's authenticity, admitting he had accidentally included the crucial scraps while archiving his documents years ago. He has since requested the Smithsonian seal the files for the next 50 years, a request they have granted.
Words vs. Method: The Controversy Continues
Following the discovery, RR Auction, the firm managing the sale, warned Kobek and Byrne against publishing the text, threatening legal action. The pair has stated they have no intention of releasing the solution publicly.
The auction house clarified that knowing the plaintext isn't the same as solving the puzzle. A true solution requires understanding the encryption method and artistic context, a secret only the auction winner will learn.
It's one thing to have the words. It's another to reveal the method. If you can't show the method, your solution isn't valid.
Regardless of the outcome, the fascination with Kryptos is sure to endure. The sculpture remains a testament to the allure of unsolved mysteries.
For a piece of art to hold someone's attention for 10 minutes is an achievement. Sanborn created a work that has captivated people for 35 years.