Written by the TreasureGuide for the exclusive use of the Treasure Beaches Report.
A tiny fragment of a Roman jar that once held olive oil, produced in what is now southern Spain, has left archaeologists delighted, puzzled and “saucer-eyed” after they deciphered a quote from the ancient poet Virgil that was cut into its clay by an unknown but erudite hand 1,800 years ago.
The highly unusual find, thought to be the first time a literary quotation has been discovered on a Roman amphora, was turned up by researchers from the universities of Córdoba, Seville and Montpellier who were excavating a site in the town of Hornachuelos, in Andalucía’s Córdoba province, seven years ago...
Here is the link for more about that.
You can manipulate genes, invent light bulbs and electric cars, but is not science. It is technology, which is based upon knowledge, but it is not science. Technology is the application of knowledge for achieving practical goals in a reproducible way. It is Sheldon Cooper on the Big Bang show versus Howard.
Meteotsunamis only last about an hour because once the leading edge of the storm passes onto land, the action subsides.
The meteotsunami was about 2.5 feet (0.8 meters) higher than the forecast wave height and around 4 feet (1.2 meters) higher than average sea level.
Six-foot (1.8 meter) and higher meteotsunamis have been recorded around the world...
Marks on finds increase the value. Whether you are talking about a mint mark, date, hallmark, maker's mark, owner's initials, or phrase, the added information can be very helpful and add to the value of the find.
The thing I like about cobs is the wide variety of shapes and strikes. They are so different, individual and unique.
One thing I like about pottery is when you can see the finger marks of the potter who formed the item. When you talk about touching history, which is one thing that many detectorists say they like, that makes it feel even more personal. That adds a personal touch to the story of the item something like a name or initials on a piece of jewelry.
When we find objects, we find stories . The stories may not be complete, but over time can be filled in by conducting research.
Sometimes it seems that we are really in search of stories as much as objects. Provenance clearly adds to the value of treasures. Auction catalogs to prove the value of provenance.
When treasure hunters make a find, one of the joys is fleshing out the story behind he object, but there is also the story of the hunt which can be shared with others and remembered for years.
I've notice over the years that I've been doing this blog, how people enjoy seeing finds made by others and learning where and how the objects were found. Not only is the story interesting, but it is also helpful, as it informs others of what can be found and how things can be found.
Our culture is being taken over by stories many of which are incomplete or manufactured with little regard for the truth. Science and objectivity have been slaughtered. Some stories are true, while others are imagination or myth.
Technology is not science. And neither is someone's opinion, even if the person claims to be expert.
Here is what Wikipedia says.
The scientific method is an empirical method for acquiring knowledge... It involves careful observation, applying rigorous skepticism about what is observed, given that cognitive assumptions can distort how one interprets the observation. It involves formulating hypotheses via induction, based on such observations; the testability of hypotheses, experimental and the measurement-based statistical testing of deductions drawn from the hypotheses; and refinement (or elimination) of the hypotheses based on the experimental findings....
Some TV shows are irritating and exasperating simply because they lack any degree of skeptical self-reflection. Ancient Aliens is particularly exasperating because there is one answer to everything, and it is all described by the title.
Imagination is great. It is necessary for science, but a scientific attitude keeps it from becoming delusion.
A scientific attitude will help any treasure hunter or detectorist. Penetrating detailed observation must be balanced by rigorous skepticism. You might ask yourself, what am I seeing, and how do I know. You need evidence to overcome skepticism. You find ways to test your conclusions. You try to disprove your conclusions not prove them. There is an important difference there that I won't get into now.
If you adopt a "scientific" attitude, you will not quickly jump to conclusions. You will search for alternate answers.
You learn more from finding out where you were wrong than where you were right.
---
Meteotsunami
Meteotsunamis only last about an hour because once the leading edge of the storm passes onto land, the action subsides.
The meteotsunami was about 2.5 feet (0.8 meters) higher than the forecast wave height and around 4 feet (1.2 meters) higher than average sea level.
Six-foot (1.8 meter) and higher meteotsunamis have been recorded around the world...
Here is the link for more about meteotusnamis.
I don't really thing this phenomena justifies the name.
I've said several times before that a local rainstorm can throw off increased wind and waves and cause a little erosion. The erosion might not be enough to change beach conditions much on its own, but when you have a beach that is already eroded, the little additional erosion can improve metal detecting conditions.
---
Nothing much on the National Hurricane Center map to see right now other than the remnants of Cindy out in the Atlantic.
Expect more south and west winds for a few days.
Good hunitng,
Treasureguide@comcast.net