Aquanut:
We've all guessed for 6 weeks now and I haven't read anything definite, nor have we heard back from your source as to further enlightenment. May I suggest you again request more data; pics, including something to scale the pics--like a ruler or diver next to the 'cannon'--if that is what it is. As I look at that cannon it seems much too small in diameter on the left side of the trunion (??) compared to the right side. Better photography would be most helpful. Also, what does your source believe all this to be??
Don.....
Mackaydon,
I'm sorry, but the objects in question aren't the property of the person that contacted me. They belong to his friend who resides, along with these treasures and the ship they came off of in the Caribbean. He only had these pictures that he brought back with him, so I guess we'll have to wait and see if anything else surfaces at a later date. His suspicion was that it was an early pirate vessel.
Aquanut
Howdy, well, I was invited to look at some recently excavated items from a land site here in Panama, recent being a relative term in the big picture. Have a look, any thoughts The local person wasn't selling, just hoping for info..Cheers.JD
There's more items but you get the idea....
Your friend has a very impressive collection. Most appear to be from the Costa Rica-Panama area. All Pre-Colombian of either Tumbaga or low gold. Dating and proving the provenance is very difficult on items such as these. I have seen twins of a couple of these before. That in itself is not unusual. If these pieces were to be proven authentic they would be worth a small fortune... and of course, the country of origin would then sue to have them returned.