Written by the TreasureGuide for the exclusive use of treasurebeachesreport.blogspot.com.
 |
| The above is an illustration is from a dissertation on flint lock pistols found on a 17th Century shipwreck. Source: http://anthropology.tamu.edu/papers/Garigen-MA1991.pdf ---------- |
In the past couple of posts I showed some of the super finds made by Treasure Coast salvors The guys down south on the Atocha are making finds too.
One very nice lead bale seal was found. It is being researched to see if they can identify the owner.
Other recent finds on the Atocha site include four silver coins, a musket ball, several large spikes, encrusted objects, pottery, and some big ballast stones. The location of the large ballast stones suggests that there might well be more to be found to the East.
They will also soon be resuming the search for the Lost Merchant.
---
One Treasure Coast coin beach that doesn't get mentioned as often as some of the others is Bonsteel. Back a few posts I was talking about hurricanes Frances and Jeane. One detectorist picked up 24 half reales there in one day. I'm sure there were others doing the same.
Bonsteel is known for producing small half reales.
---
I just added a great new link to my Treasure Site Reference Link List. The link that I added will take to a large number of graduate dissertations from the Texas A. & M. Nautical Archaeology program. \
That provides a lot of really good information. The dissertations are good alone, but if you go to the references listed at the end of each dissertation you'll find a lot more good research materials.
Whether you are interested in Chinese porcelain from 17th Century Port Royal or the development of English anchors from 1550, you'll find plenty of interest in these dissertations.
Here is the link that I added to my list.
http://anthropology.tamu.edu/html/graduate-theses-dissertations.html
The dissertation on flintlock pistols which provided the above illustration is on that list.
You might want to look through that list if you haven't done it for a while.
---
 |
| Bronze Roman Urn Found By Detectorist Source: See LiveScience.com link |
A man in England went exploring with a metal detector and made the discovery of a lifetime: an exquisitely preserved Roman-era grave filled with artifacts, including bronze jugs, mosaic glassware, coins and hobnails from a pair of shoes, all dating to about A.D. 200.
Here is that link.
Here is that link.
http://www.livescience.com/50510-grave-artifacts-roman-england.html
----
For many years I hunted exclusively in the all-metals or pinpoint modes. That included a number of detectors. Some of the best of those were built by individuals rather than any of the major detector companies. However I did use detectors made by the major manufacturers and used those almost exclusively in the pinpoint or all metals mode as well.
That often results in greater sensitivity and depth, but that isn't the only benefit. The "raw signal" that you get in those modes will help you get a good idea of the size, shape and depth of the object. If you use it enough, you'll learn how much information you can get from that. Knowing something about the size, shape and depth of a target often gives me the identity.
I once explained how to identify nails and similar objects in all metals mode.. I'd rather know the size, shape and depth first, and then IF I actually want to know more about the object's identity before digging it, switch to a discrimination mode or target ID display.
---
On the Treasure Coast don't expect any improvement in conditions this week.
Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net
