Treasure Hunting

Between 1413 and 1433, seven fleets of Chinese ships were sent out under the command of the legendary Admiral Zheng He, a contemporary of Christopher Columbus. The last of these expeditions sailed to the Straits of Hormuz at the mouth of the Persian Gulf and were wrecked, and still lie on the ocean floor today.

Associate Professor Phil Mulhearn, from the Ocean Technology Group and School of Geosciences, designed the advanced underwater imaging system used to conduct the ocean floor surveys.

The first survey, conducted in 2009, uncovered another 10 sites where treasure might be found, and a second survey is to be completed in 2011.

These wrecks are so important because any discovered sea treasure will reveal hidden secrets about the exchanges between the Far East and the West in the early 15th century.

“Sea treasure is far better preserved than treasure found on land,” explains Professor Ian Jones, the Adjunct Professor for Climate Change in the Ocean Technology Group.

So, while artifacts found above sea level will have been weathered and degraded over time, treasure found underwater on the seabed will be in almost pristine condition.

Earlier this month, the Confucious Institute held a public seminar at the University of Sydney where Professor Mulhearn and Professor Changqing Hu presented their expedition findings so far.

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Villupuram, INDIA: The district police and revenue officials recovered 19 gold coins each weighing 300 grams, part of a treasure unearthed by three construction workers. While one man surrendered before the police and handed over 19 coins, two others are absconding with 27 gold coins in their possession, police said.

P Munusamy, 55, hailing from Pillaiyarpalayam in Kancheepuram district and two others whose identities have been withheld, found a gold treasure while demolishing the walls of an ancient temple in a remote village, Kuzhi in Villupuram district. They were thrilled to find 46 ancient gold coins in a pot buried in the ground. The elated workers divided the gold coins among themselves and absconded.

Meanwhile, the contractor based in Kancheepuram, who engaged the three workers to demolish the temple wall, came to know about the treasure. He called Munusamy over phone and instructed him to hand over the treasure to him, or face severe action.

The scared worker approached the Tiruvanainallur police and narrated the events leading to the treasure being unearthed. He surrendered 19 gold coins weighing totally 64.5 grams that he took from the temple site and also disclosed the identities of two other workers to the police. He claimed that the two persons are in possession of another 27 gold coins.

Police engaged a jewel appraiser, who ascertained that the coins were made of gold following which they seized the valuables and registered a case under section 102 of CrPC. They later alerted the revenue officials about the seizure.

A team of revenue officials led by Tirukoilur tahsildar R Bhama recovered the priceless antique coins and handed it over to Tirukoilur sub treasury. “The district collectorate will hand over the coins to the Archaeological Survey of India, the appropriate authority to reveal more information about the coins,” Bhama told TOI. Tiruvanainallur police have launched a hunt for two other construction workers, who fled with 27 gold coins.

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WINDSOR, UK: A metal detecting enthusiast has had one of his finds – a 3,000-year-old gold necklace – classified as treasure after an investigation by a coroner.

Crown Wood treasure hunter David Conway was hunting near a gravel extraction site in the Windsor area on Sunday, December 6, last year, when his metal detector picked up a strong signal. He had previously found a small golden ring on the site and asked the landowner to let him search again.

The latest find was a gold Bronze Age torc – a kind of necklace – of which the first ring he found was part.

Under the Treasure Act 1996, a coroner has to establish that a find is more than 300 years old and has a gold or silver content of more than 10 per cent. Berkshire coroner Peter Bedford held a treasure trove inquest in Newbury on Wednesday, August 4.

During the hearing Mr Bedford said the torc was authenticated by Gillian Vandell at the British Museum who dated it back to between 1300 and 1100BC – more than 3,000 years old. She also said it is 83 per cent gold and 15 per cent silver.

During the hearing David explained that he nearly did not make the find because the landowner did not want him to search on the land.

David told Mr Bedford: “He turned me down at first, but I kept asking.”

Mr Bedford classified the find as treasure meaning it will be valued and offered for sale to an appropriate museum.

If a museum does not want to buy it, the item can be sold privately.

Ownership is usually negotiated between the landowner and the finder.

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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - After an Inside Out story profiling Andrew Ostrowski and headlined “A tip of the fedora to Island’s very own Jones” appeared back in March, independent filmmaker and director Paul Vlachos of New York was so impressed by Ostrowski’s unique talents that he asked him to appear in an upcoming documentary about collectors.

Ostrowski, a 43-year-old freelance writer from West Brighton who has come to be known as “The Indiana Jones of Staten Island” because of his unique artifact-collecting hobby and his brave approach to relic-hunting, has somewhat taken on the persona of the Harrison Ford character, replete with fatigue jacket, bullwhip and signature fedora.

“This will definitely be a new adventure for me,” says Ostrowski of his first-ever moviemaking attempt. “Hunting down an ancient treasure in a dimly lit cave is one thing. Now I’ll be in front of a 1,000-watt Tinseltown spotlight,” says he, before adding, “Let’s hope I don’t fall to pieces!”

The film will be a documentary about various collectors across the country. Ostrowski, who seeks out rare antiquities and artifacts all over the world, will offer an in-depth survey of his own collection and will talk about the history, approach and charm of his artifact-collecting skill. “Each relic has its own tale to tell,” he adds. “It is the artifact that defines the collector, not the other way around.”

After he dusts off his fedora, the Indy-like solo adventurer will feature an on-screen sampling of items, dating to roughly 400 B.C. His oldest piece is a Phoenician trinket from the ancient city of Byblos, from which the word “Bible” derives.

Ostrowski notes that Mr. Ford invariably has a ravishing actress for his sidekick.

“The rumor is already out that I’m looking for a ‘leading lady’ to join me,” says Ostrowski, a bachelor. “Hey, all I can say is, if there’s a clone of the 6-foot, sleek and slender blond-bombshell actress Alison Doody hiding on Staten Island somewhere, just ring my doorbell. How can I ever refuse?”

Shooting begins this fall.

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Chichester, West Sussex, UK: A skeleton dating back to Roman times has been unearthed on an estate.

The rare find, which is believed to date back to the first and third Centuries, was found during a metal-detecting exhibition earlier this year.

An inquest in Arundel was told how a silver ring and a bottle that may have contained ashes were also unearthed next to the lead coffin.

The find, which was made by Ken Mordle from Midhurst, on April 7, near Chichester, was examined by the British Museum on May 12.

Under British Museum guidance the media are asked not to reveal the exact location of important historical finds.

The ring, which was dated to between AD43 and AD250, was found to be more than 10% precious metal and is therefore considered treasure by the Coroner of West Sussex Penelope Schofield.

The inquest was told that Chichester District Museum has already expressed an interest in exhibiting the ring.

It is not yet known how much the find is worth. This article is referenced from the Argus, UK news posting.

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The Sofia Echo news page reported later yesterday that archaeologists from Varna discovered one of the largest medieval treasures in recent times. This is also the largest discovery in 2010 during excavation works in the medieval city of Kastritsi in Euxinograd, on August 4, news agency Focus reported.

The treasure was discovered embedded in the floor of a home within the medieval stronghold, the report said.

According to associate professor Valentin Pletnyov, head of the Regional History Museum in Varna, the treasure consisted of a small jug dating back to the 14th century, containing 166 silver coins from the era of Ivan Alexander of Bulgaria and his son Mihail, Focus reported.

The archaeologists also unearthed parts of utensils and swords.

“We hope that more artifacts will be discovered during the excavation works ahead,” Pletnyov said.

According to the professor, this is one of the biggest medieval treasures found in Bulgaria in 2010.

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More and more gold coins seem to be found by prospectors all around the world. Citing from the Times of India Article, 744 antique gold coins found near Sathy jungles.

Coimbatore, India: A treasure trove was unearthed in a remote hamlet near Sathyamangalam jungles when local tribals stumbled upon a centuries-old earthen pot filled with gold coins.

As many as 744 coins, weighing about 300 grams, were found in the pot, sending the tranquil tribal hamlet of Kottamalam in Erode district into a tizzy on Saturday. The coins are believed to date back to the Vijayanagar Empire period and may be over 500 years old.

For the family of Maadhi Veerayya, a tribal widow in Kottamalam, it was almost a dream tryst with fortune. On Friday morning, Maadhi and her granddaughters were clearing the thorny bushes near their house at Kottamalam.

Suddenly, her granddaughters Vinitha and Nagamma, noticed broken shards of an earthen pot in the bushes. When they rummaged deeper, they found coins smaller than 25 paise coins. Immediately, they called their grandmother, who dug deeper and found more coins. As they tried to quietly stash away the coins, curious neighbours gathered. And a frantic treasure hunt began. By afternoon, nine tribal families in the village collected over 700 coins and hid in their houses.

However, the village administrative officer got wind of the treasure trove and rushed to the spot. It was not long before the police too landed up, and launched a drive to recover the coins. “We have so far recovered 744 coins,” tahsildar K Shanmugham told TOI. The police are probing if more coins have been stealthily hidden away.

The coins are made of 18 carat gold and said to have been in circulation during the rule of the Vijayanagar kingdom between 14th and 16th centuries. The coins have an image of a tiger on a fluttering flag on one side and on the flip side, a picture of a mangalasutra’.

“It is said these coins may belong to the pre-Krishnadevaraya period, perhaps during the reign of his immediate predecessor Veeranarasimha Raya,” a revenue official said.

The coins have been handed over to the Erode district collector, R Sudalaimuthu. Curators from the government museum in Erode will examine the coins and present a report to the government.

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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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I was researching the internet, and found a answers to questions I have had for a while on NPR’s (National Public Radio) online website. My questions were “Why are gold prices rising?”, “What would be the purpose to store large amounts of gold?”,and Most of all “Why is gold important in international trade?”. This article summed up all my questions into one concise article that answered these questions and more. This article clarifies most questions on why gold is of interest to many.

The IMF is selling off some of its gold stash, and governments and central banks are buying.

The IMF sold about 15 tons of gold in April, Bloomberg News says. With gold trading at about $1,200 an ounce, that’s roughly $600 million dollars in gold.

The fund has been selling some of its gold on the open market this year as part of a plan to create an endowment. In all, the IMF plans to sell just over 400 tons of gold, or roughly one-eighth of its total holdings. That should bring in more than $8 billion in total, the WSJ says.

Meanwhile, central banks and governments have been stocking up. Worldwide, governments and central banks added 425 tons last year to their holdings, which now is more than 30,000 tons. That’s the most since 1964 and the first expansion since 1988, Bloomberg says. Holdings are likely to grow again this year.

The price of gold, of course, has gone through the roof in the past couple years. People say it’s a “store of value”,that is, a place to put your money when you’re nervous about inflation, which drives down the value of paper money.

Treasure hunters, keep this in mind when you find a mint of gold, saving this could be the smartest choice when it could be worth much more in the future.

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For all of you treasure enthusiast, the History Channel has just premiered a show called Chasing Mummies. After the premier episode on Wednesday, July 14th at 10/9c, this show turned out to be a hit and it is evident why it is going to be such a popular documentary series.

Archaeologist and passionate explorer Dr. Zahi Hawass is the lead of the series and shows his passion for excavation of mummies in his documentary. In this documentary, Dr. Hawass takes you through many of his adventures and engages the audience as he uncovers the mystery of mummies and history from over 3,000 years ago. This show is more than your regular historical documentary, its a movie-like view into the past.

“It’s a whirlwind tour, led by the man who holds the keys to Egypt’s greatest antiquities and rules his world like a modern-day pharaoh. Unfiltered, entertaining, exciting and suspenseful.” Said by History Channels Producer

Watch a preview of the adventures Dr. Zahi Hawass takes you through on Chasing Mummies:

Want to follow this engaging series? Tune in to the History Channel, Wednesday nights at 10, Eastern and Pacific times; 9, Central time.

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