3/2/24 Report - Mystery Item: Gorget? Reader Silver Find. Meditation for Metal Detecting and General Use.

 

Written by the Treasure Guide for the exclusive use of the Treasure Beaches Report.

Old and Unsolved Mystery Object.

A number of years ago I dug a few of these at a site that produced late 18th or very early 19th century artifacts that included military buttons, shot of various types and a variety of other things near a cannon emplacement and barrel spring.  I still do not know what the object is even though I've been looking for the answer for some time and have posted the item before.  The ones I found are of different sizes.  It is not silver.

Some have suggested that it could be a gorget.  I'm not totally convinced that is what it is, but I have no better answer.

Below is an illustration from NativeTech.org.

The ones I found do not have a raised line along the edge.  And, they have three rather than two holes.  I don't think those differences are necessarily definitive.  

Below is an example shown on the NativeTech site that looks pretty much but not exactly like the ones I found.  

Seminole Gorget
Source: NativeTech: 19th Century Seminole Men`s Clothing ~ Seminole Silver Gorgets

The NativeTech.org site is great.

Here is a list of topics you will find there.

Topics on NativeTech.org.

There are a lot of things of interest there.  You can find, for example, how European copper was used for various things, including arrow heads and points.  That is just one thing you might want to check out.

I'd recommend spending some time browsing the site.

Among my favorites this morning was the section on poetry and stories.

Here is the introduction to that section.

Each of us has deep within us, hidden in the recesses of our minds and our very being, vestigial memories of the Old Ones who walked this land long before us. To visit with them, you need only relax, close your eyes, quieten your soul and allow it to drift. Listen to the gentle sounds around you, for among them you can hear the footsteps and voices of your ancestors. The spirits which surround you may sometimes extend an invitation to come with them, to warm yourself by their fire, talk about the ancient ways, hear the legends and tales of the Original People, and join in their songs and dances of celebration and remembrance.

If you are privileged to walk back along the path of time to meet them and to pause there for an instant, hold on to the memories of the journey and value that which you learn, for the trips are repeated only for those who are at peace with themselves and in harmony with the world around them...

And here is the direct link.

NativeTech ~ Poems & Stories: Time Walker Trilogy - by Les Tate

If you use that link, you'll find three poems.  You might call them meditations.  Here is a small part of one of those that begins with the thought of a pot shard and stone point.

...The color of the stone shows it came from far away.
I close my eyes for a moment, thinking back,
Remembering old ones now gone.
The shard and the stone warm my hand.
   I feel the gentle touch of an ancestor's hand
   Guiding my fingers across his/her ancient work.
      It is not difficult to make. We will show you.
   Grandfather has dark eyes,
   Full of experience and wisdom...

Meditating on artifacts and finds is something you should try. It only requires quieting your mind and senses and allowing the thoughts and feelings to come to you. As the author says, "the trips are repeated only for those who are at peace with themselves and in harmony with the world around them."

Give it a try if you are so inclined. Those of you who are of an introverted nature will probably appreciate it most.

You can meditate on finds and you can meditate on detecting sites upon arrival.  You might find that it facilitates your intuition.

I've seen beach goers meditate on the beach as the sun rises, but detectorists are usually are eager to set up their equipment and start the hunt.

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Silver Find by Connecticut Jim.

I received the above photo and following email from Connecticut Jim

Found this piece of silver on Ambersand on 2/23.  Tested at about 80% pure and is about 1” long.

Been reading your blog for years, always perks me up for my annual trip to the Treasure Coast.

Jim from CT

From the photo I would have never guessed the item to be silver.  It is hard to judge an item from a photo, as in this case.  It looks like it is heavily encrusted or corroded.

80% silver is a durable silver often used for flatware.

See https://www.silverrecyclers.com/blog/800-silver.aspx

Thanks for sharing Jim.  I'd be very curious to see the item after some cleaning.

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Meditation is one way to get a new and fresh perspective.  

Lent is an especially appropriate time for meditation, which is a time for self and spiritual discipline. I've felt the draw for a couple weeks now and was motivated to go back and rememorize the 23rd Psalm.   

Did you ever watch yourself go to sleep?  It isn't easy - at least not for me.  Seems to be a difficult meditative exercise.

As you know, it can take a while to go to sleep, but it can also happen very quickly.  If you are like me, first you will hear your own internal talk, which will eventually slow down.  As your thinking slows and there is more internal quiet, you might notice a few isolated images.  The imagery will increase and replace the internal talk as your mind seems to transition from predominantly left to right hemisphere activity.  The imagery will become more continuous and dream-like just before you fall asleep.  That process can complete in a second or two, but at other times it can take much longer. 

I know that for some of you the subject of meditation might seem like it has nothing to do with metal detecting, but it can be helpful.   I'm sure others will find it helpful too, but not everybody.  

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Fort Pierce Area Surf Chart From SurfGuru.com

The tides are small these days.

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Matthew 26:40-41. Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Good hunting,

TreasureGuide@comcast.net