Treasure Hunting

Glens Falls, NY– The massive hole in front of the Cronin High Rise in downtown Glens Falls is not from replacing pipes or construction. Excavation workers are digging out the remains of an old building that was buried there. It was causing the lawn to collapse in front of the prestigious High Rise.

“We had a lot of erosion and settling,” said Robert Landry, of the Glens Falls Housing Authority. That agency runs the senior high-rise on Ridge Street.

“It was creating sinkholes, and it made it difficult to maintain the lawn. The flagpole was even starting to lean.”

Landry said the city hired an engineer to do a soil test, and it was determined a previous demolition at the site had become unstable, causing the sinking lawn. Services Unlimited was hired to excavate the site, remove the debris of the old building, fill it back in with clean fill and re-tamp the surface.

“We’ll have a new lawn and new landscaping,” Landry said. “Our goal is to be the nicest looking property in downtown Glens Falls.”

He said the excavation work should be complete by mid-August, and the lawn and landscaping should be done by September 1st. The project carries a price tag of about $50,000, which was covered by a Capital Fund grant covering infrastructure improvements.

But just what is it they are digging up? City Historian Wayne Wright said the structure was the home of Dr. George W. Little.

“Dr. Little had a conservatory on the right side of the house where he kept monkeys, birds and all sorts of plant life,” Wright said. “After he closed his practice, he handed out little spoons to the people who were still with him. Some of those spoons are still around.”

Little was eccentric, and his wife moved out of the house in his later years to settle in the Fort Edward area.

“There was a one-story addition built onto the front of the house for a storefront,” Wright said. “The structure came down during Urban Renewal in the early 1970s, and they just bulldozed it under.”

Landry recalls a pool hall at the spot in the ‘70s.

“It was the Chalk and Cue Pool Hall, and it was a popular hangout for St. Mary’s students, and since I was one of them, I used to hang out there,” he said. “Van the Shoe Man and Griffin’s Paint Store were also in this area.”

Robert Landry believes there might be a few interesting finds from this old demolished house, but they still have yet to dig and discover pieces of history. Citing and picture use from Post Star articles.

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Sebastan: Dozens of gold and silver coins hidden nearly 300 years ago were found Friday when a cannon recovered July 11 from a wrecked Spanish ship was being cleaned for preservation, salvagers reported this week.

Divers from the salvage boat “Gold Hound” brought up the ship’s bronze swivel cannon, a rare find in itself, in less than 20 feet of water between Wabasso and Vero Beach, said Anne Kazel-Wilcox, a spokeswoman for 1715 Fleet-Queens Jewels, a private salvage company based in Sebastian and Jupiter.

A historic bronze cannon found near Sebastian contained gold and silver coins concealed inside, treasure on its way back to Spain before the shipwreck

The heavily-encrusted cannon was taken to the Mel Fisher’s Treasures facility in Sebastian for preservation, Kazel-Wilcox said, “and as workers were conserving it, the cannon became unplugged and coins were found inside.”

In addition to 22 gold coins found near the cannon, 25 gold coins and 63 silver coins were found inside, worth an estimated $500,000 or more.

“This is an amazing historic find,” Greg Bounds of Fellsmere, captain of the Gold Hound, said in a prepared statement. “We found treasure within the treasure. This is right out of ‘Pirates of the Caribbean,’ except this is the real thing. For centuries there has been talk of treasure possibly hidden inside of cannons, but up until today that was only pirate lore. Now it’s the real deal.”

The wreck was part of a fleet of 11 galleons and war ships laden with gold bars, coins, diamonds, emeralds and pearls bound from Havana for King Philip V of Spain. The cargo included the so-called “Queen’s Jewels,” a 74-carat emerald, pearls and diamonds meant for Philip’s new bride Elisabeth, who reportedly said she wouldn’t consummate the marriage until she received them.

The ships sank in a hurricane off the Treasure Coast on July 31, 1715. Last month, 1715 Fleet-Queens Jewels, a private salvage company, acquired salvage rights to the fleet from the heirs of treasure hunter Mel Fisher, whose family had retained the fleet’s U.S. Admiralty Custodianship of a 300-square-mile stake off Indian River County that extends from the low-tide mark into the ocean. Together with subcontractors such as Bounds, they are searching for a mother lode estimated to be worth $900 million.

By law, the state gets 20 percent of the haul and gets to pick the pieces it wants first. The rest is split 50-50 between 1715 Fleet-Queens Jewels and the subcontractors who found it.

Bounds, one of about 15 subcontractors who have worked with Mel Fisher Treasure and continue to work with 1715 Fleet-Queens Jewels, uncovered more than $12.9 million worth of gold chains, pearls, coins, swords and other artifacts in 2007 from the 400-year-old Santa Margarita site in the Florida Keys.

This article was found from a news blog site the Coin Docere.

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The famous King Tutankhamun as known as King Tut died between 1330 B.C and 1340 B.C. After being discovered in 1922 by archaeologist Howard Carter, many have proposed theories on his death. However, after many scans, DNA test, and X-rays with the technology we have from this decade, Scientist have finally shed some light on the obscurity of King Tut’s death.

From sickle cell disease to a blew out kneecap or even the hole in the back of his head, King tut had many ailments that led up to his death back in 1300 B.C. Scientist believe Tutankhamun’s health was stressed due to the multiple complications at one time. Also, after the test came back it was shown that he also may of had a harsh case of Malaria Disease.

Researchers of Tutankhamun’s death knew it was not bad luck that killed King Tut or a murderer, but the culture of keeping a bloodline that put stress on his life. It is believed that King Tut’s father Akhenaten, married Tutankhamun’s full blood sister which led to his many physical disabilities after birth. From club foot to weak bones and low immune system, King tut died at a early age.

This research is the final most probably theory based on evidence that they have found on King Tut, and although his life was short, he was cared for and glorified especially through his death. His tomb being layered in gold, hoped to have led to an eternal peaceful life by his people.

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Indian River County, FL – More treasure has been found from the 18th century Spanish fleet that sank in hundreds of years ago. The boat crew working with the Queens jewels of Jupiter Island found 22 gold Spanish coins and a small cannon from 300 years ago between Wabasso and Vero Beach. These coins are said to be worth $8,000 adding up to $176,000 for all 22 coins, said Brent Brisben, co-founder of Queen’s Jewels.

“It’s called the Treasure Coast for a reason,” Brisben said. “It was a sight to see these guys so excited. It’s one of the best days you can have.”

Queen’s Jewels have teamed with Capt. Greg Bounds of Fellsmere to explore the wreckage area of an 18th century Spanish fleet. Brisben’s company acquired the salvage rights to the sunken ships from the heirs of world-famous treasure hunter Mel Fisher. They have been named federal custodians to the 300-mile wreckage area, he said.





As said before on this blog, this treasure is from a wreck in 1715 when a 11-ship fleet set sail from Cuba laden with gold bars, coins, diamonds, emeralds and pearls bound for King Philip V of Spain. The bounty included the dowry for Phillip’s new bride, Elisabeth, who refused to consummate their marriage until she received it.

There is plenty more to be found, and these treasure hunters hope to retrieve most of it. This news story is in reference to the TCPalm article.

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New York City – A 32 foot long ship hull seemed to be from the 18th century is now being excavated by workers at the World Trade Center cite. The artifact, deteriorating fastly due to exposure to air, is hoped to be retrieved intact by the end of Thursday, July 14th.

Archaeologist Molly McDonald said that a boat specialist is still planning to look at it. Mcdonald hopes to at least salvage some timbers, although she was unsure that the large portions of the hull could be lifted intact. “We’re mostly clearing it by hand because it’s kind of fragile,” she said, but construction equipment could be used later in the process.

Both McDonald and archaeologist A. Michael Pappalardo were at the site of the September 11, 2001 attacks and when the discovery was made Tuesday morning.

“We noticed curved timbers that a backhoe brought up,” McDonald said. ‘We quickly found the rib of a vessel and continued to clear it away and expose the hull over the last two days.” In sequence these photos of the ship were taken and were taken to the press today.

“We’re going to send timber samples to a laboratory to do dendrochronology that will help us to get a sense of when the boat was constructed,” McDonald said. Dendrochronology is the science that uses tree rings to determine dates and chronological order.

A 100-pound anchor was found a few yards from the ship hull Wednesday, but the archaeologists are not sure if it belongs to the ship. It is three to four feet across, McDonald said.

The two archaeologists work for AKRF, a firm hired to document Artifacts Discovered at the site. They called the find significant but said more study was needed to determine the age of the ship.

This news article is in reference to The Washington Post article on this excavation.

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ISRAEL– Dr. Rami Arav was very excited when his one of his researchers from West Virginia University student Alexis Whitley uncovered a rare gold coin during excavation work in the city of Bethsaida, near the Sea of Galilee in Israel.

Rami Arav is the director of excavation and research at the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s Bethsaida Excavations Project, a 24-year effort to reveal the archaeological mysteries of the biblical-era city.

The coin, which weighs 7 grams, is 97.6% gold. However, the find was unexpected because Bethsaida primarily was home to humble fishermen. Arav also said somebody must have been doing good business a little over 100 years after the birth of Christ.

The gold coin, about three-quarters of an inch in diameter, carries the image of Antoninus Pius, the 15th Roman emperor, who reigned between A.D. 138 and 161.

“Before newspapers, coins fulfilled the job of disseminating information. In our case, Antoninus wanted to announce that the Senate designated him to the position of a consul for the second time. This position was among the highest at Rome.” said Arav.

The Bethsaida coin is the first Antoninus Pius gold coin excavated in Israel, and as far as he knows, it’s the first discovery of this particular kind of coin.

Archaeologists have found many other coins announcing the news of Antoninus Pius’s appointment, but none bears the same picture on the reverse side, where the goddess Pietas stands before an altar.
It is hard to put a monetary value on the coin, Arav said.

“This type of a coin was never sold in the market because it is so rare,” he said. “It may go for as much as people will be able to pay for it.” Dr. Rami Arav stated.

For now, the coin, along with the rest of the Bethsaida finds, considered to be the heritage of the State of Israel — will go to the Israel Antiquities Authority. Its ultimate destination probably will be the Israel Museum in Jerusalem along with many other outstanding finds.

This story is in reference to a article from the Omaha World Herald.

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Ostrava, North Moravia– Forty people were evacuated out of 15 houses in Stara Ves village near Ostrava after an active aerial bomb weighing 50 kilos was found there during construction works on Friday, local police spokeswoman Gabriela Holcakova told CTK.

This aerial bomb was made by the soviets during WWII and used then also. This is the second bomb that has been found in the area of Ostrava lately. The first bomb was found a month ago by a man with a Metal Detector, he revealed a bomb weighing 100 kilos in a field near Opava, north Moravia.

“The ammunition was found during excavation works in connection with the sewerage construction about 1.5 meters underground,” Holcakova said.

The bomb was found two meters from a gas pipeline which called for gas-workers and firefighters. This led to fifteen houses in the village to be evacuated and traffic was rerouted over the bomb disposal. An expert removed a detonator mechanism of the bomb that was transported from the spot then. It was disposed in a special hole, Holcakova explained.

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I came across the most exciting Metal Detecting story in a while from Yahoo News, this discovery is amazing people all over the world! So I thought I would share for those of you who haven’t heard about it yet!

In London, A treasure hunter has found about 52,500 Roman coins, one of the most astounding discoveries in Britain said officials.

The discovery, which was valued at $5 million, includes hundreds of Roman coins with the image of Marcus Aurelius Carausius, who seized power in Britain and northern France in the late third century and proclaimed himself emperor.

Dave Crisp, a treasure hunter using a Metal Detector, located the coins in April in a field in southwestern England, according to the Somerset County Council and the Portable Antiquities Scheme.

The coins were buried in a large jar about a foot deep and weighed 350 pounds total. Crisp said a “funny signal” from his metal detector prompted him to start digging.

“I put my hand in, pulled out a bit of clay and there was a little radial, a little bronze Roman coin — very, very small, about the size of my fingernail,” Crisp said in an interview with the BBC.

He recovered about 20 coins before discovering that they were in a pot, and realized he needed expert help.

“Because Mr. Crisp resisted the temptation to dig up the coins it has allowed archaeologists from Somerset County Council to carefully excavate the pot and its contents, ensuring important evidence about the circumstances of its burial was preserved,” said Anna Booth, of Somerset Council.

Somerset Coroner Tony Williams scheduled a hearing Thursday to formally determine whether the find is subject to the Treasure Act, a formal step toward determining a price to be paid by any institution which wishes to acquire the hoard.

The hoard is one of the largest ever found in Britain, and will reveal more about the nation’s history in the third century, said Roger Bland, of the British Museum. The find includes more than 760 coins from the reign of Carausius, the Roman naval officer who seized power in 286 and ruled until he was assassinated in 293.

The discovery of the Roman coins follows last year’s discovery of a hoard of Anglo-Saxon coins in central England. The so-called Staffordshire Hoard included more than 1,500 objects, mostly made from gold.

Citing from Yahoo News, pictures from telegraph.co.uk. Hopefully this will inspire many to join treasure hunters in the quest to discover our worlds history and treasure of the past.

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Schranzerwald Forest, Austria – Millions are yet to be found by treasure hunters of all sorts. A fraudulent German financial advisor Augustine whose name has not been officially released, was arrested when a amateur treasure hunter found a suitcase with $185,000 and Augustine’s passport buried near Innsbruck, the capital in west of Austria.

After trials, in early 2002, Augustine was jailed for the maximum six-years and is now living in Bavaria, Germany. After publicizing this case to the public, this led many to get out their detecting gear and head out to look for the treasure for a nice reward, ten percent of the amount found and an award of $815,000.

Local treasure hunter Walter Fritz searches for buried millions in Ebbs, Austria

German police officials believe there is more to be found; more than 5 million was embezzled and hidden from investors while Augustine was working for the BDA bank.

The small town of Ebbs, Austria has benefited from the influx of treasure hunting visitors hopeful to fine a new fortune. As the story spreads, more are expected to travel to Ebbs, and join the hunt.

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Colorado Boulder researcher Craig Lee makes frequent trips during summer trekking for treasure and usually strikes gold. However, this time he has found a much more valuable find, 10,000 year old artifacts.

As global warming increases, icy tombs that preserved these artifacts are now melting and emerging from the ice. Pieces of animal remains, Native American baskets, and clothing are among the typical discoveries found from Lee’s frequent trips to the Rockies back in 2007. But his most significant find so far has been a wooden stick that happens to be a 10,000-year-old birch sapling. There has been a long process that took nearly 3 years to verify the artifacts. The weapon, called an atlatl dart, is rare because of its impeccable condition and age, Lee said.

“We haven’t been able to disclose the discovery until now due to restrictions from science journals and the lengthy process of actually verifying our find,” Lee said.

Spear-like artifact found in melting ice patches

Melting has increased all around and in the Rockies which leads to the increasing popularity of artifact hunting in the area.

“So far we’ve been successful during every search,” Lee said. “I think that really shows the effects that global warming is having on our environment. It’s visible to us and the artifacts are the proof.”

It seems this bittersweet view into our past has come from the destructiveness of our inhabitants. Our environment is suffering, and yet this may be an extraordinary find, our global warming has evidently taking its toll.

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