The answer !

 

The answer to the question...


...from the previous picture: The "stalagmite" is a part of an ancient flat rope that was once mounted under one of the pit cages of Preussen colliery (Germany). The rope was found on the colliery's second level (-558 metres, source: J. Huske "Die Steinkohlenzechen im Ruhrrevier") in the year 1957.