Pillar 4
Pillar 4 contains a non-alphanumeric cipher with dots connected with etched lines forming constellation-like shapes (Not transcribed and Unsolved), a long string of letters forming a scytale input (Partly Solved) and a series of numbers around the bottom which probably form part of a cipher (Unsolved). Between the constellation grid and string of letters is an octagonal section in the pillar representing a scytale.
Constellation grid
The top cipher is a grid of non-alphanumeric glyphs that resemble constellations. There appears to be some repetition, so it is possible particular patterns can be represented by letters.
To be transcribed (after a method is identified) and photos compiled. See the image gallery in the interim.
Scytale - Solved
The pillar contains an octagonal section above a long string of letters written vertically in a long strip. At either end of the long strip, dividing lines create three separated sections. In the transcription, these are represented with a space.
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AGP SHAL HALIE CNREWTOCTPUWSMEOLOLOADOEEEOSAAHVHEERIPEHNAWLSVMFNCRFICCAESRDENASIHVNBEEIATETAAEOTDMHEHFRSDIETYRARNGUAPNSDPMAENIOTAUSSOCSNACRN IEPAE RURLS SRA |
Solved by Skintigh on Reddit 11 March 2013
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A MESSAGE HID UPON HIS SLAVE SHOWN TO ALL BY CLOSER SHAVE AN ADMIRAL OF ANCIENT GREECE UNCERTAIN OF A PERSIAN PEACE SAW A CODE THAT PROVED MUCH SMARTER HELPED ENSURE HIS WIN FOR SPARTA |
The code talks about the use of tattooing messages in hidden locations (namely a shaved head, then allowing the hair to regrow) by Histiaeus. The history of the scytale is alluded to as being much smarter (and presumably a lot quicker, since one does not need to wait for hair to regrow).
Stuart Kohlhagen reported on Facebook that simply decoding the scytale component does not 'solve' the code and that further work is required.
Base
A series of numbers run around the base of Pillar 4:
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10 10 9 12 11 13 15 17 28 3017 18 11 12 8 10 14 15 22 24 12 13 11 12 7 10 8 11 14 17 |