4/12/20 Report - Easter Greetings. Archaeological Artifact Investigation Suggesting Nailing of Heel Bone During Crucifixion.

Written by the TreasureGuide for the exclusive use of treasurebeachesreport.blogspot.com.

1911 Easter Card.

---

In what seems to be rare physical evidence of crucifixion, the method used to kill Jesus Christ according to the Bible, scientists say wounds found on the heel of a man buried some 2,000 years ago in northern Italy suggest he was nailed to a wooden cross before he died...

Here is the link for the rest of that article.

https://www.history.com/news/jesus-christ-death-crucifixion-archaeology


A multidisciplinary study of calcaneal trauma in Roman Italy: a possible case of crucifixion is a study providing a more in-depth investigation of the same injury.  The study was published in the April 2018 issue of Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences. 

The study indicates that the puncture of the ankle bone was medial to lateral (inside to out). Here are a couple illustrations from that article showing how that could have been done.

The position shown on the right (b) is like the position I referred to yesterday in my discussion of the heel bone with a spike still in it, as being like a ballerina with turnout.  With the toes pointed out, the posture looks similar to a ballerina doing a pleiay.

Position a above is one I didn't suggest yesterday, but reminds me of the crucifix I showed two days ago from the Mel Fisher artifact database.  Just turn the feet a little more to the left (as you look at the picture).

Gold Crucifix From Atocha.

Source: Mel Fisher artifact database.

As any scientific analysis would, this study considered possible causes of the wound other than crucifixion, one of which was the practice of nailing corpses stationary in a coffin, but there was no coffin used in this case.

It would be difficult, and in my mind unlikely, that an aware person could have their feet held and nailed so precisely through the heel bone in the manner shown as illustration a.  Illustration b seems slightly more possible to me, but I don't feel like I have the answer yet.  Still I've learned a lot.

For the entire study and all the details click here.

---

Today I want to express my deepest sympathies to those who are unable, due to severe restrictions imposed because of COVID-19,  to tend to their sick and dying loved ones and unable to participate in funerals or otherwise share and express their mourning in the traditional manner.

Man is more than flesh.

May one and all be touched by a deeper peace and healing this Easter.
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

7/19/19 Report - Latest 1715 Fleet Finds . 16th Century Florida Artifacts. Detecting a Battle Site.

Written by the TreasureGuide for the exclusive use of treasurebeachesreport.blogspot.com.

Reales Recently Salvaged by Captain Jonah and the Crew of the Bottomline.

Photo submitted by Jonah Martinez.

Captain Jonah said these new reales were found in areas that had previously been worked over, and that just goes to show how much treasure remains to be found from the 1715 Fleet.

Thanks Jonah!

---

16th century artifacts are being uncovered by archaeologists on private property in St. Augustine at a construction site.

Included are ceramics, a lock, and items from a print shop.

“We have found evidence of the print shop. We found at least four typesets, newsprint typesets, which is pretty cool. ... I think we found an N, and a C and an H,” White said.

Here is the link.

https://www.staugustine.com/news/20190717/centuries-old-ceramics-other-artifacts-found-at-st-augustine-construction-

---

DJ sent me a link to an excellent report on the Custer battle site.  It provides some excellent insight for detectorists, including the use of historic topographic maps and metal detectors.  Here are just three paragraphs from a report that you might find very interesting.

A preliminary assessment of various historic maps was conducted to determine which may be the most reliable in depicting the 1876 river channel. The method involved georeferencing the historic maps to the modern topographic and aerial photography and establishing a root mean square error calculation. This objective analysis was coupled with a subjective analysis of the river channel and terrain features depicted on the subject map. A preliminary assessment of the historic maps suggests that Maguire Map 8 and the Norris map have potential to aid in sorting out the 1876 river channel if used judiciously. The 1883 Blake map may show the river meanders most accurately in the area of the Custer field than other maps preceding or post-dating it. The 1891 topographic map seems to be generally correct except for the location of the southernmost oxbow at Custer field, which is the one currently threaten by erosion.

The absence of metal in the detectable range and the preliminary assessment of the historic maps suggest the oxbows are not likely to contain archeological evidence of the battle.  However, no formal geomorphological investigation of the river channel, abandoned river channels, or the oxbows has been undertaken to date. It is recommended, before determining if additional mitigation measures are required a professional geomorphological study of the river channel is done. Such a study has the potential to posit chronological changes in the riverbed and more accurately define the 1876 channel, as well as determine if historic surfaces may still exist as buried soil horizons.

Since field time permitted a more formal test of the capability of the VLF and PI metal detectors was undertaken. Two previously inventoried areas were redetected. One test area encompassed a known warrior fighting position and the other was a known soldier position. Each area yielded additional artifacts.  Fifty-seven percent of the artifacts were not battle-related, 43% were battle related, 90% were found by the VLF machines, and 10% were found by the PI metal detector alone. The test indicates the 1984 sample strategy was sound in that it did recover a representative sample of the range of artifact types present.  The PI metal detector did find about 10% more than the VLF machines. Most of those items were either deeper than the capability of the VLF machines or were items that were very small and were missed by the VLF machines. The test grids indicate the PI metal detector has the potential to increase artifact recovery in areas where materials may include very small or deeply buried artifacts.

https://www.friendslittlebighorn.com/LittleBighornOxbowArcheologicalReport.pdf

Not long ago I encouraged the use of topographic maps to determine changes in the beach over the  years and decades.  That can tell you how the beach has been changing, including where it has been building and eroding over a period of time.  That kind of information will tell you a lot about where targets of different time periods might be found.  If done well, it can give you an idea of how deep to expect old targets in various areas.

As you can see, the article discussed the relative effectiveness of different types of detectors.  Although interesting, I wouldn't draw too many conclusions from that.  A lot depends upon how the detectors were used.  That is as important or more important than the capabilities of the detector.

In any case, I think you'll find the article interesting.

---

(CNN)A heat wave is expected for much of the eastern half of the US in the coming days -- and it has the potential to be deadly.

More than 130 million Americans are under a heat watch, warning or advisory, with the heat index expected to reach 115 degrees in some areas. The widespread heat wave will hit its peak Friday and Saturday with dozens of records possible...

https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/18/us/heat-wave-survival-tips-wxc-trnd/index.html

Take stay hydrated and take precautions to avoid heat related illness.  

---

A one to two foot surf is expected for the next few days on the Treasure Coast.

There is currently not tropical cyclone activity in the area.

Happy hunting,

Treasureguide@comcast.net

5/8/15 Report - First Named Storm of Season. Jacksonville Beaches Ripped. Making Coin Rings. Dig Site You Can Join.

Written by the TreasureGuide for the exclusive use of treasurebeachesreport.blogspot.com.


Gold Found by Shannon F.
Photo by Shannon F.

Shannon F. wrote the following.

I'm not sure if you are familiar with my area. My local beaches back in the 70's experienced a full dune replenishing project adding 15+ft of sand to the ENTIRE area. As far as old things go there were none to find. Period. It was all hidden out of range of a detector. This past weeks storm finally changed that by digging a river like cut 10ft below the high sand. After detecting the area for years with no luck for "older" finds this cut made a brief window. I found 3 1940's nickels and out popped some old gold. Moral of the story is that it's all there hiding under the sand. Just out of reach 99% of the time.

While the recent storm didn't do much for our Treasure Coast beaches, it evidently did the beaches up north some good.   That is a great tip.

What Shannon says is true anywhere.  Although we haven't had good beach conditions locally for quite a while, there is still plenty of stuff hiding under the sand just waiting for the right conditions to uncover it all. 

I know some of you will lose patience, but it will pop out again. 

Thanks for sharing Shannon.  Nice find.

----

1905 Barber Half For Sale on eBay.

Yesterday I showed an old coin ring that I discovered after cleaning it off.  After looking at it in various lighting, I discovered a date on it.  The ring was made from an 1905 half dollar.  I can barely see the date, but looking at other parts of the design, I can match it up with a Barber half dollar.  Notice the leaves overlapping the word TRUST in the photo.

Russ P. spotted the Barber half quicker than I.  He could see the signs from the photos that I showed yesterday.

Good eye Russ!

Here is a picture of a 1905 Barber half like that used to make the ring.  Not only can I see where the leaves overlap with the word TRUST on the ring but also the stars and other features of the coin.

There are plenty of youtube videos showing how to make rings out of coins.  You might like to give it a try if you have some old silver coins you are willing to sacrifice.

Here is one to get you started.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lo_wUYktz-U

----

Trying to think up something new for a different and exciting for a summer vacation?  How about digging a Mayan archaeological site?  You can!

Archaeologists of the Maya Research Program (MRP) plan to field a crew beginning in June 1, 2015, to excavate an ancient Maya elite residential complex and other sites in northwestern Belize. Though less than a month away, the team leadership still has some available positions in the opening session to fill with willing students and volunteers to help them investigate large residential structures and a large shrine north of the site core of Xnoaha a medium-sized Maya center in Belize not far from the border with Mexico.

Here is the link if you want to learn more.

http://popular-archaeology.com/issue/spring-2015/article/archaeologists-offer-special-deal-to-dig-at-ancient-maya-site

----

We now have the first named storm of the season off of South Carolina - Ana.

http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/ana-tropical-system-atlantic-us-east-coast-north-south-carolina-rough-surf-rain/46764807

On the Treasure Coast we're back down to a two-three foot surf again.  It is going to be down to a one foot surf in a couple of days.

Happy hunting,
Treasureguide@comcast.net