Written by the TreasureGuide for the exclusive use of treasurebeachesreport.blogspot.com.
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| Source: See SeaCoastOnline.com link below. |
YORK, Maine — Findings from a study conducted on a shipwreck site on Short Sands beach indicate the vessel was built before the American Revolutionary War...
Claesson said he had records of the wreck’s unearthing in 1958, then 1978.
Claesson asked for anyone with photos or artifacts to contact him.
“I’m not trying to be the archaeology police,” he joked. “But people have been interacting with the site for decades. I’d love to see photos or learn anything else about it to be able to tell the full story of the site.”...
https://www.seacoastonline.com/news/20200325/york-shipwreck-predated-american-revolution-say-researchers
In the past year or two it has seemed to me that archaeology has not been bashing treasure hunters or metal detecting hobbyists as once as they once did.
A few years ago it seemed that at least every other article involving detectorists included the word "looters" or something to that effect. I haven't been seeing that very often since around the time I did a piece entitled "The Problem With Archaeology." I can't imagine that it had such an effect, but at the same time, it could have.
I mentioned some compelling facts including the notion that archaeologists claim to be "saving the past for the public" while acting in a very contradictory manner. I pointed out that "treasure hunters" in some ways serve that goal much more effectively than archaeologists. That is evidenced by a number of facts, including the fact that many more of the readers of this blog have seen shipwreck items in the Mel Fisher museums than in the Florida Museum of Natural History. That is just a part of my argument and recommendation for archaeology.
Here is the link to the post in which I talk about that.
https://treasurebeachesreport.blogspot.com/2018/02/22518-report-problem-with-archaeology.html
One point I made in that post is how the public can assist archaeologists. Claesson asks for that assistance, but because of the mistrust created by archaeologists has to let the public know that he is not going to "try to be the archaeology police."
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With the beaches close you might be wondering where you can metal detect. We've faced beach closings before, and there are always people who manage to get on the beaches one way or another.
I often say there is always away. I am a person that enjoys finding alternative methods of doing things. There are ways you can get on the beach even if it is closed without doing anything illegal. You don't have to jump fences or do anything like that. For example, you can go by boat or jet ski. Maybe you have friends or acquaintances that have beachside residences or you might rent a room at a beachside residence or resort. Some detectorists have passes through their jobs or do contracting that can get them on the beach. There are things that I won't mention. They are used by some detectorists every time the beaches get closed for hurricanes. I'ts not that I'm trying to keep them secret, and I don't use them myself. I just want you to know that there are ways to do it legally if you really want to do it. .
Better yet, there are some good alternatives to the beach, which you should realize because the beach is not always the best place to hunt anyhow. Let's think off-beach.
The first thing is to be alert to what you see as you go about your normal daily business. You will see some decent sites. I always have a long list of sites in mind that I plan to test someday when I get around to it. When I think of beaches, I have my high and low priority beaches, but I also have a long list of off-beach detecting spots too.
You know how when you are driving along A1A and you see all of those spots where fishermen kayakers and others stop along the west side of the Indian River. They've been doing it for many years, but those spots aren't detected much. There is a reason that people don't detect those spots. For one thing, there will be a lot of trash and sinkers and very little good treasure, but if you adjust your techniques, you might find a few interesting things. I've done those spots before, and have found some nice things. You might even find something old - maybe a nice old shell native American artifact. There is more to be found in the river than you might think. There are even spots where galleons or pieces of galleons washed over the island and into the river. You'll have a better chance if you've done your research.
There is a lot of construction going on. The railroad is adding tracks and roads are being widened and repaired. In the process old ground is being churned up. Don't try to detect an active construction site, but if you watch what is going on, you can identify some good metal detecting possibilities. Work around the edges or after the work is done. If you've been reading this blog very long, you've read numerous articles about archaeological sites being unearthed by construction projects.
The recent drought will open up some areas that were overgrown. I know of one area that I've been watching for a while and the overgrowth is thinning out so I won't have to do so much work to make it detectable. It was heavily covered by overgrowth, but you could see surface evidence of old glass and bricks. You can open up new areas if you are willing to remove brush. You might still need to adjust how you sweep your detector. Maybe use non-motion mode.
You might ask for permission to detect private property. Most beach hunters have never done much of that. It never hurts to try something new.
You can hook up with other detectorists who might have access to good areas.
Remember the old silver coins that came out of the Peace River. Waterways are good areas to metal detect and often have public access. Search the banks or shallow water, or dive.
Watch for grass covered parking lots. I know where there are a few of those. They are often not closed off.
I always enjoyed working old carnival grounds especially just after the carnival picked up and left. I found mostly modern coins. Sometimes there would be dollars of quarters laying on the surface and dollar bills blown up against the fences.
Generally, just keep your eyes open as you go about your normal daily business and notice any possibilities.
Try something new and different. It might be outside your comfort zone, but you'll probably learn something new and improve your skills for when you get back to the beach.
Another possibility is do another kind of treasure hunting. Maybe go look for some fossils.
There are a few ideas. If you have others that you'd like to share, let me know.
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I just thought of this last night and thought I should post it. I don't know exactly why. I just have a feeling.
You'll remember it from 1985 if you are old enough.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4M7c-JOnPdw
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The surf will be around four feet today and then decreasing for the next few days.
Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net
