This article reads like some kind of sad science fiction scenario.

A team of scientists today reported the first results from their analysis of the "F-1 Engine", an artefact from the First Empire which was serendipitously discovered last year in nearly pristine condition in the storeroom of a museum. Although the documentation meant to accompany the engine has long been lost, the team is confident that they can apply recently developed scanning techniques to discover how it worked. These engines were said to be capable of developing an incredible 1.5 million pounds of thrust, and were instrumental in powering the First Empire's legendary voyages of exploration. It is hoped that the knowledge recovered from this engine will eventually enable the construction of similar devices.