Metal Detecting in Belize

hbriverol

Greenie
Mar 14, 2014
11
11
Belize
Detector(s) used
Garrett AT Pro
Bounty Hunter Quick Draw 2
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Hi. I am new to metal detecting. I recently got a Garrett AT Pro and did a first test today. I live in Belize, Central America. My country has never been detected and I beleive there are many things to be discovered. Well today I didi my forst test to see what I could find. I went to the old part of the city in a yard where there was once an old colonial home. The place is very trashy and I will need to do some more research on my detector settings. Anyhow. My first find on my first hunt was a big i dont know what it is. Maybe someone can help me to identifiy it. I found it by a tree stump about 2 feet down. I taught it was a cannonball or cannon but no its a pump looking thing. Anyhow know what it is? If any one is interested in coming down to Belize let me know we could do some good hunting down here.
 

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Thanks. I cant seem to find a picture of it anywhere. Just have to keep searching.
 

were you hunting in all metal
 

Yes. The area I was hunting is an old colonial area. I know for a fact there use to be cannons and a fort in that area. So I was hoping for a cannonball or old musket.
 

Take and post a few more photos please. Close ups, perhaps a tag on it somewhere, a company name, year etc.
I'm with jeff_of_pa at this point. Does appear to be the bottom of an old stove.
 

An old stove or pump…..can't think of many uses for an old stove in Belize, perhaps the mountains or on a ship.
 

my first thought was stove. pretty neat for a first find. Thanks for sharing and hope to more pics of your finds (and of Belize). HH
 

It looks like an old bucket a day coal hot water heater. I saw one in a relatives home in Georgia many years ago. It would provide hot water all day from a bucket of coal. It had a top like that which held the water. That's my best guess, Frank...
111-1 profile.jpg
 

Bucket a Day Coal Water heater.jpg Unknown.jpg

I was only able to find one photo of a bucket a day coal hot water heater that was of an old one. Seems like a possibility. Perhaps a lot of it has corroded away and/or different design
 

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Hi. I am new to metal detecting. I recently got a Garrett AT Pro and did a first test today. I live in Belize, Central America. My country has never been detected and I beleive there are many things to be discovered. Well today I didi my forst test to see what I could find. I went to the old part of the city in a yard where there was once an old colonial home. The place is very trashy and I will need to do some more research on my detector settings. Anyhow. My first find on my first hunt was a big i dont know what it is. Maybe someone can help me to identifiy it. I found it by a tree stump about 2 feet down. I taught it was a cannonball or cannon but no its a pump looking thing. Anyhow know what it is? If any one is interested in coming down to Belize let me know we could do some good hunting down here.

I have no idea what it is, but it looks like a pump to me. The feet below look like they made to bolt down to something solid. From what I can see, it might be a steam or air-powered water pump. Can you post a photo of the other side? Below the opening it looks like a steam or air cylinder. I'd like to see if there are two cylinders, one on the other side.

Hey, I'm in Tegucigalpa, not that far south of you. I'd be very interest in what you're finding up there. :icon_thumleft:
 

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So how much does that thing weigh?
 

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I did find this...

"Actually, most of the things you would find with a metal detector in Belize will put you on the wrong side of the law. The antiquities laws of Belize are very clear - anything more than 50 years old that is found in or on the ground belongs 100% to the people of Belize - NOT to the landowner as US law provides (this makes the US almost unique in the world BTW). Many landowners would not want you looking on their property because if you find a genuine archaeological site (and the law protects ANY site, not just Mayan ones), the government can actually step in and confiscate the land by declaring it an archaeological preserve, and they do not have to offer compensation to the landowner.
It is also completely illegal to look for things in or on the ground on public (Crown) land in Belize without a permit. The fines are substantial and you can even get jail time. This goes for underwater and beaches as well."
 

Join Date: May 2008
Location: Golden, CO
Posts: 9,547
Send a message via AIM to sectshun8
Default
I did find this...

"Actually, most of the things you would find with a metal detector in Belize will put you on the wrong side of the law. The antiquities laws of Belize are very clear - anything more than 50 years old that is found in or on the ground belongs 100% to the people of Belize - NOT to the landowner as US law provides (this makes the US almost unique in the world BTW). Many landowners would not want you looking on their property because if you find a genuine archaeological site (and the law protects ANY site, not just Mayan ones), the government can actually step in and confiscate the land by declaring it an archaeological preserve, and they do not have to offer compensation to the landowner.
It is also completely illegal to look for things in or on the ground on public (Crown) land in Belize without a permit. The fines are substantial and you can even get jail time. This goes for underwater and beaches as well."

Where did you find this information? Belize is heavily influenced by the laws of Britain, but this doesn't sound at all like what I've read about treasure trove laws in England, nor is it like anything I've experienced in Central America. I'm not disputing anything, I'd just like to know.
 

That is a very interesting find.belize has a lot of history you should be able to findlots of old things.
 

View attachment 967954 View attachment 967956

I was only able to find one photo of a bucket a day coal hot water heater that was of an old one. Seems like a possibility. Perhaps a lot of it has corroded away and/or different design

Different Design but yes Same Difference imo

doesn't matter how warm it normally is in Belize.
just like every where else. eventually you get a 20 degree drop in temps &
fear you will freeze without heat :laughing7:[h=2][/h]
 

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Different Design but yes Same Difference imo

doesn't matter how warm it normally is in Belize.
just like every where else. eventually you get a 20 degree drop in temps &
fear you will freeze without heat :laughing7:

The heater is used to heat bathroom and kitchen hot water only, not the home.
Hay talk about a hot shower, you really have to be careful using that. Frank...
 

Ok, I think I have it. It's a pump for steam engine feed water. When you get it cleaned up a bit, look for any writing. It might say "Marsh" or "Goulds", or something like that.

Here's a photo I found on the internet, but it has no markings.
SteamWaterPump.JPG
 

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