SCP-173: "The Sculpture"

Item #: SCP-173
Object Class: Euclid

Tags: Autonomous, Euclid, Featured, Heritage, Observational, SCP, 
Sculpture

SCP-173 In Containment

Let's start off this blog series with one of the most, if not, the most famous SCP article ever made: SCP-173. Go ahead and click the link if you wish to read along. SCP-173 is far from being the most complex SCP ever created, but I will be explaining it nonetheless. So let's get started!

The tags alone tell us that this SCP is in control of himself (Autonomous) and that it has something to do with observation. Let's take a look at the Special Containment Procedures to get a better idea.

Special Containment Procedures:

Item SCP-173 is to be kept in a locked container at all times. When personnel must enter SCP-173's container, no fewer than 3 may enter at any time and the door is to be relocked behind them. At all times, two persons must maintain direct eye contact with SCP-173 until all personnel have vacated and relocked the container. 

So, what does this paragraph tell us? I'll break it down. 

Item SCP-173 is to be kept in a locked container at all times.

This means that it is capable of escaping, otherwise why would it have to be a locked container?

When personnel must enter SCP-173's container, no fewer that 3 may enter at any time and the door is to be relocked behind them. At all times, two persons must maintain direct eye contact with SCP-173 until all personnel have vacated and relocked the container.

Okay, so no less than 3 personnel in the container at all times, and 2 must maintain direct eye contact everyone else has left the container. Clearly, the Foundation is scared of something happening if you lose eye contact with it.

Maybe the description can tell us a little bit more about it?

Description:

Moved to Site-19 1993. Origin is as of yet unknown. It is constructed from concrete and rebar with traces of Krylon brand spray paint. SCP-173 is animate and extremely hostile. The object cannot move while within a direct line of sight. Line of sight must not be broken at any time with SCP-173. Personnel assigned to enter container are instructed to alert one another before blinking. Object is reported to attack by snapping the neck at the base of the skull, or by strangulation. In the event of an attack, personnel are to observe Class 4 hazardous object containment procedures.

Personnel report sounds of scraping stone originating from within the container when no one is present inside. This is considered normal, and any change in this behaviour should be reported to the acting HMCL supervisor on duty.

The reddish brown substance on the floor is a combination of feces and blood. Origin of these materials is unknown. The enclosure must be cleaned on a bi-weekly basis.

This is alot to take in. So, SCP-173 is a concrete and rebar object that cannot move as long as something is watching it. In fact, this is so important, that the personnel that enter must alert the others that they are about to blink. This object attacks by snapping the neck at the base of the skull or strangulation. If there are no people in the room, there will be scraping noises. The container floor is covered in feces and blood (ew) which must be cleaned bi-weekly.

Wait, what did it say about attacking?

Object is reported to attack by snapping the neck at the base of the skull, or by strangulation.

...Oh. So this is reason why the Foundation doesn't want it getting out of containment. A very good reason too. 

tl;dr: Staring contest with statue, loser dies... but statue doesn't lose.

About

   Welcome to SCP Uncovered! The SCP wiki is a large collection of user-created stories and articles that detail strange and usually powerful entities (known as SCPs) that would normally wreak havoc in human society, if not for the "SCP Foundation", the people who contain the SCPs. 

Standard SCP Layout

Some SCPs are quite easy to understand, like a strange plague doctor. Others are complex and hard to get your head around, like a "variable abstract-metaphysical construct pointer" (Now Covered!). They will be analyzed word for word, sentence by sentence here in SCP Uncovered.

Here are a few terms that you should know before heading in:

• Foundation - A clandestine organization that is trusted by every major government in the world to handle anomalous activity and entities that threaten humanity through physical or psychological means.

• SCP (Special Containment Procedures)-  A file that describes an anomalous object and how to contain it, sometimes with additional logs detailing things like how it got into the Foundation's hands, or how the Foundation tested it. Also the central focus behind the entire website. 

• Object Class - Several rankings as to how hard something is to contain. This can be represented by what is known as the box test.
  
  1. Safe - Simply leave it in a box, close the lid, and nothing will happen.
  
  2. Euclid - If you leave it in a box, but you don't know what's going to happen, it's most likely Euclid. Also is where most sentient and sapient SCPs are ranked.
  
  3. Keter - If you leave it in a box and it easily breaks out, it's Keter. Most Keter classifications are highly dangerous and can easily cause destructive scenarios.
  
  4. Apollyon - An object so hard to contain that any kind of box is simply an illusion of safety, AKA unable to be contained.
  
  5. Thaumiel - If it is the box, it's thaumiel (Contains other SCPs or reverses the effects of them).
  
  6. Maksur - If you break it, but it reforms, it's Maksur.
  
  7. Neutralized - An SCP that was once anomalous, but has lost its anomalous properties somehow.

• [Redacted] and [Data Expunged] - Common terms that signify that the relevant information has been removed or requires a higher level of clearance to access. Is used for elements of horror and deep thought.

• Memetic or Meme - Any unit of information that can be spread and transferred through society. Anomalous memes are mental viruses that can cause harm by simply knowing about something.

• Antimemetic or Antimeme - The opposite of a memetic. Instead of self-spreading properties, it self censors via memory erasure, unable to be focused on, or unable to comprehend.

• Cognitohazard - Something dangerous when sensed through any of your five senses.

• Infohazard - Something dangerous when known about or described (Does not need to be sensed).

Always remember... Secure, Contain, Protect.