You never know where someone might leave something of value or when someone else might stumble across it. It happens often enough to raise eyebrows and incite intrigue. Of course, the US has only been modernly populated for about 400 years. In Europe, Asia and South America, civilizations have been around for thousands of years so, sometimes, discoveries there seem more abundant and exciting.
On this side of the planet, you may recall a find made by a park ranger in Nevada’s Great Basin National Park a few years back. The ranger noticed something leaning against the base of an old Juniper tree. It turned out to be a weathered Model 1873 Winchester rifle. The craggy and cracked wood on the stock showed considerable aging from snow, rain and sun. Yet, the markings on the barrel and receiver were still clear. It was original. There it rested for well over a century by someone who forgot it, or was killed or had to flee quickly....
So, what’s the value? It’s clearly not in great condition. The rust also doesn’t help. In the shape it’s in, most collectors wouldn’t pay $100 for it. However, the lore of the find and the wonder behind whatever story it holds is absolutely priceless. It’s now on showcased display in the park.
Incidentally, a few folks had doubts about the find. They claimed it wasn’t possible because any tree the rifle had leaned against would have rotted and fallen long ago. Not so fast. Juniper trees grow for centuries. One, the historic and still-living Bennett Juniper tree in California, is estimated to be – I’m not making this up – between 3,000 and 6,000 years old.
This past spring, a few thousand miles to the south, searchers in Panama uncovered another treasure, this one buried just below the surface. The find was a grave of a chieftain of the Coclé culture from around 750 A.D. – roughly when the US Bennett Juniper tree was a teenager.
Along with the skeleton, laid out in the grave was a sea of historic urns, relics and gold artifacts. Among the vast gold pieces were multiple ceremonial breastplates, belts of gold beads, crocodile-shaped earrings, bracelets, gold bells and plates and even gold-covered sperm whale teeth earrings.
Clearly, the deceased was a person of significance. So much so, it became macabre when it was evident a dozen or so “servants” were sacrificed and buried with the nobleman to accompany him into the afterlife.
The site wasn’t hidden. For 300 years it was a known burial area or necropolis. The fact it held much gold was also well known. Even so, the abundant treasure was never looted. It lay untouched for 1,200 years. Perhaps there was a belief a curse might befall anyone who disturbed the site. If so, is it still in force today? I suppose we’ll know should anything happens to the archeologists.
As the world’s population increases and inhabited areas continue to expand, more and more finds are being uncovered here and abroad. In Europe, where the Roman Empire extended from Italy to England, the remains of long-forgotten buildings, foundations and entire villages are regularly reported. Many of the finds are rewriting history.
Closer to home, the amount of treasure waiting to be uncovered is huge. Much of that is thanks to the Civil War. Not knowing which side would prevail, families hoarded gold and silver coins assuring, no matter who won, the metal would always have value. Moreover, with no insurance against bank robberies or entire bank failures, people, especially those in rural areas, opted to bury those silver and gold coins in jars.
Naturally, anyone hiding riches wanted to be able to find and retrieve them. Consequently, most are buried in a recognizable place such as near the corner of a home’s foundation or by a stone wall or a well. The jars tend not to be buried too deep.
Akin to the fortune found in Panama, cemeteries are also prime hiding spots. Burying a jar near or atop a familiar grave hasn’t been uncommon. In St. Louis, one searcher often took his metal detector to old cemeteries to “look around.” In front of one grave, he consistently got a familiar “beep.”
Finally, he took a small hand trowel and dug a bit. Just inches below he pulled out a jar filled with gleaming silver dollars from the 1800s worth a veritable fortune. As I said, you just never know where someone might leave something of value.
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