Grid-coordinate-derived substitution keys on 73-char column mask extract

Tested 150+ key derivation functions from (row, col) grid coordinates: row, col, row+col, row-col, |col-15|, modular keys, KRYPTOS keyword cycling, bearing-derived keys, triangular numbers, etc. Also exhaustive affine fit key=a*col+b*row+c mod 26 (17,576 combinations). 3,726 configs. Max 5/24 = NOISE. Required Vig keystream at crib positions (BLZCDCYYGCKAZ, MUYKLGKORNA) is completely irregular, no coordinate-based pattern fits.

In plain English: Tested 150+ key derivation functions from (row, col) grid coordinates: row, col, row+col, row-col, |col-15|, modular keys, KRYPTOS keyword cycling, bearing-derived keys, triangular numbers, etc — using methods based on the physical properties of the sculpture itself. Every possible combination was tested (4 thousand configurations) — none produced a valid solution. This approach is ruled out within the tested scope.

NOISE Tier 2

How to read this record

Verdict – NOISE (no better than random guessing), INTERESTING (slightly above random, almost certainly coincidence), SIGNAL (statistically unusual, warrants investigation), or FULL MATCH (all 24 known letters correct).
Confidence Tier – Tier 1 = mathematical proof (permanent). Tier 2 = every possibility tested. Tier 3 = partially tested. Tier 4 = not yet tested.
Configs Tested – How many different key/parameter combinations were tried.
Best Score – How many of the 24 known plaintext letters the best attempt matched (out of 24).
Keystream Consistency (Bean) – Whether the key values at different positions are mathematically consistent with each other.
Scope Limitations – What this elimination does not rule out.

Configs Tested: 3,726
Best Score: 5 / 24 known letters matched · no better than random guessing (random guess would score: 0.0)
Keystream Consistency (Bean): FAIL
Checks whether the key values at different positions are mathematically consistent with each other.
Confidence: Tier 2: Exhaustive search under stated assumptions. Does not eliminate multi-layer variants.
Truth Tag: [INTERNAL RESULT]
Date Tested: 2026-03-12

Scope Limitations

This elimination does not rule out:

Only tests functions of (row, col). Does not test arbitrary position-dependent keys beyond coordinate derivation.

Assumptions

28×31 grid coordinates
Column mask null removal
Key is a deterministic function of grid position

Reproduce

PYTHONPATH=src python3 -u scripts/grille/e_grid_coordinate_keys_01.py

Requires the kryptos repo, Python 3.11+, PYTHONPATH=src.

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