Prime
Full Member
Ok, so the topic of poisonous gases given off by gold/silver has been covered extensively(and I'd still wear gloves, and wash my finds before I started diving into the loot).
Anyways, how about bacteria and/or viruses? How long does some of that stuff live for? Even as recently as a hundred years ago, there were viruses around that wiped out large populations. Now I know I'm stretching things a bit here, but what if someone was burying their treasure in a chest that was fairly tightly closed, and they were also sick at the same time? Also, cleanliness wasn't habitual back in the "old days". So what about bacteria? I read something about Zahi Hawass stating that bacteria is a real threat even on 1000 year old mummies. I know that silver has anti-bacterial properties, but what about gold? And do the bacteria just die, or do they just not stick to the silver?
I have already decided that upon finding a cache, I'd air it out for a few minutes just in case any fumes were enclosed with it. What can I say, I'm extra cautious. I mean it's not like I know what's inside a container until I open it.
Lastly, I want to finish this post by asking: Just how would you wash your treasure(assuming it's metal, or stone)to eliminate any and all bacterial, viral, or artificial threats("nasty people" leaving a coat of poison on the treasure they were burying)to your health?
Anyways, how about bacteria and/or viruses? How long does some of that stuff live for? Even as recently as a hundred years ago, there were viruses around that wiped out large populations. Now I know I'm stretching things a bit here, but what if someone was burying their treasure in a chest that was fairly tightly closed, and they were also sick at the same time? Also, cleanliness wasn't habitual back in the "old days". So what about bacteria? I read something about Zahi Hawass stating that bacteria is a real threat even on 1000 year old mummies. I know that silver has anti-bacterial properties, but what about gold? And do the bacteria just die, or do they just not stick to the silver?
I have already decided that upon finding a cache, I'd air it out for a few minutes just in case any fumes were enclosed with it. What can I say, I'm extra cautious. I mean it's not like I know what's inside a container until I open it.
Lastly, I want to finish this post by asking: Just how would you wash your treasure(assuming it's metal, or stone)to eliminate any and all bacterial, viral, or artificial threats("nasty people" leaving a coat of poison on the treasure they were burying)to your health?
