Written by the TreasureGuide for the exclusive use of the Treasure Beaches Report.
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| 1715 Fleet Cob From the Bulldozer Hoard I Originally Posted in 2011. |
I thought it was time to remind you that although we metal detect a lot on our Treasure Coast beaches, shipwreck treasure coins have been found inland as well.
The above coin was being sold on eBay listed as being from the "Bulldozer Hoard," which is a great example of what I'm talking about. Here is the post where I originally posted that coin. The Treasure Beaches Report Direct From Florida's Treasure Coast.: 2/17/11 Report - Bulldozer Hoard Cob & More
In case you don't know about the Bulldozer Hoard, back in the 70s when land was being cleared to build the Sebastian Walmart, a fellow who grew up in the area noticed a cob unearthed by a bulldozer. He got his metal detector and found around 200 pieces-of-eight in the hole. The coins were dated in the early 1710s and were in good condition. Some think they were buried together in a bag, but nobody knows how they got there or when.
Now if you look up the site, you'll see it is on the west side of the Indian River and nearly a quarter mile inland from the river.
My main point today is that not all shipwreck treasure is found in the water or on the adjacent beaches, and there are undoubtedly still more inland sites where shipwreck coins can be found.
Some old shipwreck items have been found in the Indian River and there are a lot of sites where interesting old things have been found. I can think of several interesting finds in the Jensen and Stuart area, for example. You might remember the cannon ball found in one back yard.
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| Cannon Ball Found in Jensen Back Yard. |
Reales and other Spanish artifacts have been found in mounds and indigenous sites around Florida too.
If you look at old maps, you might get some clues. The 18th century Bernard Romans map is a map that is often mentioned by Treasure Coast treasure hunters. Below is a small section of that map (Source: Maps of East and West Florida. - Map 1 | Library of Congress (loc.gov)).
Notice the Bleech Yard listed on that map, for example.
Here is an old post with more on the Romans map. The Treasure Beaches Report Direct From Florida's Treasure Coast.: 12/27/16 Report - Pistareens On The Treasure Coast Beaches In 1775. T. C. Beaches Today. Scams of Old.
You can find quite a few maps on the loc.gov site, both older and more modern maps.
Here is a link for some good old maps. Maps of East and West Florida. | Library of Congress (loc.gov)
One of the things that makes metal detecting so much fun, is that big surprises can be found almost anywhere. I once found an indigenous check-stamped pot shard laying on the surface next to the highway. And I've mentioned some of the other surprises.
Again, the point is that the ocean beach isn't the only place you might find Spanish colonial coins or artifacts.
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New discovery suggests ancient humans wore modern item centuries ago.
A new analysis of ancient footprints in South Africa suggests that humans may have been wearing hard-soled sandals.
The well-preserved prints’ unusual characteristics may provide the oldest evidence so far that people used shoes to protect their feet from sharp rocks during the Middle Stone Age. Although researchers are hesitant to come to firm conclusions related to the use of footwear during the period...
Here is the link for more about that.
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It looks like there might be some increase in the surf this coming Tuesday.
For an hour or so last night there was the best impressionist since Rich Little on TV. At first I thought it was really Walter, but I couldn't figure out where Jeff Dunham was hiding.
Good hunting,
Treasureguide@comcast.net