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Along the Royal Trail with Lost Horse

Thanks Lost Horse. I have a question about the turtle and the number 13. I've seen many posts that claim a turtle indicates gold and I've seen a lot of 13's in the field but only a few turtles. If turtles have 13 large segments on their shells, would the number 13 also indicate gold? The 13's I've seen are always in measurement, for example, a slash that measures 13 inches or a snake that is 13 inches long. Is it the turtle that indicates gold or the 13 on the turtle shell?
 
Hi Mdog
Not sure about the Number 13 and its meaning behind it -
Some Believe it Represents the Owl
Easier to make a 13 than to Create an Owl Rock Marker
And Because the 13 is Small in Size – you mite be really close to your Target
You mite want to look at that for some meaning
And Always look for Markers that give you Direction

I don't use measurements only Compass Directions

Once in an Area/ Yard that is Discovered –
I use GPR I don't waste time trying to measure things out
Not that I am against it – if you want to do what they did 300 years ago – that's fine
Yes you can step and measure things out
But this 2025 and there is no need to do it the old way
When we have the Technology today to look into the Ground before any digging
So why not use it to your Advantage.

Stone Markers
The Reason for Stone Markers is mostly to give you Messages and Direction
And to understand Animal Markers you first have to look at their symbolism
to gain their meaning behind the Messaging to understand their Messages

The Turtle as a Treasure Marker
For Example lets look at The Turtle as a Treasure Marker
Their symbolism is Protection
When they hide inside They are Protecting themselves
Hiding inside – Meaning Buried inside/underground
They Lay Eggs – Eggs Need Protection-Turtles Bury their Eggs
So the Basic meaning is something Buried and is being Protected

You will find that other Animals
Like the Snake and Bird Nesting used as Treasure Markers
Because of the Fact that they also Lay Eggs

The Egg as a Treasure Marker – The Egg Gives Life and Needs Protection
If you Break open an Egg – What you see is a Large Golden Yoke
The Yoke Representing Gold That Gives Life and Gold as we know Needs Protection
And for Direction – Like Most Markers they give the Message of Direction
and will Point out the Way to Go or Look

This can be done in Many Way – But Mostly they Use the Head to Point out the Way
Not so much the Feet because the Feet Can be moved or come up missing
This is why you will find most Turtles Heads Sticking out
and Wedged into the Rock so it can not be Moved
And its up to you the searcher to figure things out

Sometime thing are not so clear – Because Like I have always said -
You are at the Marcy of the One who Created it – and what are they trying to tell you

Here is a Turtle that was Small –
Telling me because of it Size - I was Really Close and in the Area of my so called Target
I followed the Head at First but it lead Nowhere
But then after a Closer look at the Small Turtle
I Seen a Chiseled face on the Side of the Turtle Shell
So of course the Message was – what was this face looking at
Giving me the Right Direction to search
Again the Meaning – Something was Buried and Being Protected was Near by
Only 50 feet way I found the Boulders that Covered the Opening of the Shaft
And Confirmed it with my GPR

So Understanding the Animal Markers you are Looking at
Gives Meaning to the Messaging your looking for.

Lost Horse

Turtle Marker 007.webp


Turtle Marker 009.webp
 
Hi Mdog
Not sure about the Number 13 and its meaning behind it -
Some Believe it Represents the Owl
Easier to make a 13 than to Create an Owl Rock Marker
And Because the 13 is Small in Size – you mite be really close to your Target
You mite want to look at that for some meaning
And Always look for Markers that give you Direction

I don't use measurements only Compass Directions

Once in an Area/ Yard that is Discovered –
I use GPR I don't waste time trying to measure things out
Not that I am against it – if you want to do what they did 300 years ago – that's fine
Yes you can step and measure things out
But this 2025 and there is no need to do it the old way
When we have the Technology today to look into the Ground before any digging
So why not use it to your Advantage.

Stone Markers
The Reason for Stone Markers is mostly to give you Messages and Direction
And to understand Animal Markers you first have to look at their symbolism
to gain their meaning behind the Messaging to understand their Messages

The Turtle as a Treasure Marker
For Example lets look at The Turtle as a Treasure Marker
Their symbolism is Protection
When they hide inside They are Protecting themselves
Hiding inside – Meaning Buried inside/underground
They Lay Eggs – Eggs Need Protection-Turtles Bury their Eggs
So the Basic meaning is something Buried and is being Protected

You will find that other Animals
Like the Snake and Bird Nesting used as Treasure Markers
Because of the Fact that they also Lay Eggs

The Egg as a Treasure Marker – The Egg Gives Life and Needs Protection
If you Break open an Egg – What you see is a Large Golden Yoke
The Yoke Representing Gold That Gives Life and Gold as we know Needs Protection
And for Direction – Like Most Markers they give the Message of Direction
and will Point out the Way to Go or Look

This can be done in Many Way – But Mostly they Use the Head to Point out the Way
Not so much the Feet because the Feet Can be moved or come up missing
This is why you will find most Turtles Heads Sticking out
and Wedged into the Rock so it can not be Moved
And its up to you the searcher to figure things out

Sometime thing are not so clear – Because Like I have always said -
You are at the Marcy of the One who Created it – and what are they trying to tell you

Here is a Turtle that was Small –
Telling me because of it Size - I was Really Close and in the Area of my so called Target
I followed the Head at First but it lead Nowhere
But then after a Closer look at the Small Turtle
I Seen a Chiseled face on the Side of the Turtle Shell
So of course the Message was – what was this face looking at
Giving me the Right Direction to search
Again the Meaning – Something was Buried and Being Protected was Near by
Only 50 feet way I found the Boulders that Covered the Opening of the Shaft
And Confirmed it with my GPR

So Understanding the Animal Markers you are Looking at
Gives Meaning to the Messaging your looking for.

Lost Horse

View attachment 2221773

View attachment 2221772
Great post and pictures, Lost Horse. Thank you very much.
 
WOW!! Thanks again Lost Horse!! Those turtles are gorgeous. So jealous (in a good way) as I'd love to be able to do what you do. Location and age prevent this LOL. Again, thank you so much for sharing so we can follow along and learn as we go.
 
Hi HMK - Its a Classic Turtle Marker - Would Like to see more of the BackGound
Because of the Placements of the Stand Alone Boulders in The BackGround
You Mite Want to Scan The Area with a GPR
Or You Mite Want to Consult Sandy1 on what is seen in this Photo

IMG_3153.webp
 
Every way you look at this turtle, you see different shapes. I will send you pictures of it in PM. I have come to some conclusions that I wanted to consult with you and Sandy as well.
 
Looks like you have a set of shadow eyes on the left of the turtle. Taking pics from all angles at different times will reveal shadow clues. top center appears to have shadow heart etc as well. That top center is on my radar for some reason. Do the same with it and look carefully. Good luck.
 
Recovery Markers...
The Duck Marker is a Common Marker used as a Marker leading to a Vault /Storage Dig site,
that was most likely put their by the miners to pay the kings Taxes (20% / The Fifth).

Duck Marker 001.webp


The Recovery Team / Government
Soldiers
would head out to the recovery site
for the Church / King.

They would follow the Trail markers and most likely there would be
Someone in the team of Soldiers that would know the way, for this area
was used over and over again in time.

Once close to the Vault / Storage Recovery Area,
the Recovery Markers would start to show up along the Treasure Trail
leading them to the Recovery Site Area.

The Idea is – These are Government Soldiers not Miners.
Their job is to Recover and get the Taxes back safely to the Missions or Military Base.

These areas would be easy access and have a Secure Camp Ground
near Water and grass Food for the Mules.

They needed a place to Rest up, for what ever time it took to Recover the Product.
The Mules Needed time to rest up and get feed and Ready to carry the Heavy load back.

The last thing you wanted is a Dead Mule, on the way back and to loose part of the product
that you were reasonable for and have to explain to your Superiors what had happened.

Most of the Time if this was a large Mining District, more than one mine up in the mountains,
The miners would uses this area as a Storage depot.

The last thing the owners or who ever is in charge of the Mine Operation near by,
would not wants any Government Personal Snooping around their Site Uninvited.

Vault Markers / Storage Areas Have their own Special Markers.
They don't use Mining Markers to lead them to the Recovery Site,
If they Did it would just confuse things when traveling near the Area.

Yes they would use The Common Trail Markers along their Journey.
But once in the Storage Area The Recovery Markers would start to show up,
Giving you Conformation your in the right place.

Just like if you were on the Trail looking for a Mining Area.
Getting close to the Mining Area the Common Mine Markers would start to show up,
giving you Conformation your on the right path.

If you are in search of a Storage area, these are the Common Markers you want to look for.
And to understand the Symbolic Representation behind these markers are Simple.

They Are “Hunting”.
The Recovery Team is on the “Hunt” to Recover - Not Prospecting.

The Hunt Symbolic Treasure Markers Representation.

They Hunt These Animals
The Duck - Lays Eggs
The Rabbit – Burrows in the Ground
The Fox – Burrows in the Ground
The Bear – lives in Caves
The Swan / Geese – Lays Eggs

Duck Marker  002.webp


This Marker is Flat on the Ground, its designed to be Seen while Riding on a Horse
Duck Marker 003.webp

Photo By: Sandy1 “Page #24”
Duck Marker By Sandy1 001.webp


Fox Marker 001.webp


Once a Recovery Markers is found – you should always look for other Makers Near By,
to give you "Conformation", for what you are looking at, is not Mother Nature.
Even if it looks like Mother Nature Made it.

Pareidolia- is one of the Methods they used along with Sun and Shadow

to Secretly Hide their Messages from the Average Person,

that is why even today they are still hidden and not seen or understood.

Sun And Shadow
Spanish Face in Shadow 001.webp


Face Marker 01.webp


Face Marker 003.webp


Lion Marker 01.webp


This Marker is Flat on the Ground, its designed to be Seen while riding on a Horse
Face Marker 002.webp


Bear Water 001.webp


Indian Face.webp


Look for the Heart Marker, this is a Common Conformation Marker.
letting you now what you are looking at is what your Heart Desires.
Look for Trail Markers Near By - giving you Direction, to the Secure Camp Ground Location,
Most likely Near a Water Source with a Flat areas to Camp and Corral the Mules.
Also look for other common Treasure Markers near by.
Once the Area is Located, the Rest is up to you and your knowledge
to locate the Actual Dig Site. – You Mite Want to Bring Your GPR.

Vault Opening 001.webp


Note: You also Mite want to Read up on Sandy1 Thread,
to Educate yourself on what you mite need to do next.
Lost Horse. :coffee2::icon_study:
 
Re: Spanish Mining Area

This is just my thought …
The Triangle represents the Trinity, (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit),
in the middle is “Divine”, a Sacred Space.

And the Dot in the Middle, represents Something they want protected.
And will be protected by GOD.
And so making it a Treasure Marker.
Does this photo look like yours?
 

Attachments

  • IMG_9675.webp
    IMG_9675.webp
    4.2 MB · Views: 79
People trash me for providing truth, but the research I did years ago (links to Spanish mining laws in the New World available in the TNet archives) can be verified by anyone nowadays using AI. ChatGPT is, of course, not "intelligent" per se, but is a superb search engine and organizer of information, replacing the totally lame Google Search model, which has devolved into a sales gimmick.


ChatGPT said:​

Based on what historians and archival records tell us, there was no standardized, official “King’s Code” of symbols used across New Spain (including today’s American Southwest) specifically to mark Quinto Real caches or mining sites.

Here’s why:


1. What Was Officially Required

  • Spanish colonial mining law was very detailed — outlined in the Laws of the Indies and later in the Mining Ordinances of 1783.
  • These laws required:
    • Registration of mines (denouncements) with local authorities.
    • Payment of the quinto real at royal smelting houses.
    • Documentation in writing — not symbolic markers — of ore production, ownership, and royal taxes.
  • Mine locations were usually recorded in notarial records or royal mining registries, not marked by a universal code in the field.

2. What Markers Did Exist

While there was no formal "King’s Code," there were some practical markers and customs used by miners, explorers, and officials:

  • Landmarks & Blaze Marks: Miners often marked trails or claims with stacked stones (mojones), wooden crosses, or carved symbols on nearby trees or rocks — but these were ad hoc, not an empire-wide standardized code.
  • Church Crosses or Religious Symbols: Missionaries and settlers sometimes carved crosses near mines or caches for protection or as a guidepost.
  • Private Ciphers & Symbols: Individual mining companies or mule train contractors sometimes used personal brand marks or symbols (like livestock brands) to identify shipments or storage sites — but these varied widely.

3. The Treasure Legend Connection

Many modern “lost mine” and “Spanish treasure map” stories describe a secret symbolic code system used by the Spanish to hide caches — circles, triangles, hearts, turtles, suns, etc.
Historians generally believe:

  • These codes are not documented in Spanish royal archives.
  • Some may have been invented later by treasure hunters in the 19th–20th centuries.
  • Others could be genuine local symbols used by a specific expedition or miner, but not part of a standardized “King’s Code.”

4. Why a Code Would Be Unlikely

  • The Crown’s focus was on legal accounting of metal through smelting house paperwork, not leaving secret physical signs in remote areas.
  • If caches were buried to avoid theft or native raids, the information was usually passed orally or in written letters to authorized officials, not by leaving a public symbol anyone could interpret.

Bottom Line

📜 No evidence exists of an official, empire-wide King’s Code of symbols used to mark Quinto Real locations.
I wasn’t able to locate any solid documentary evidence of official Spanish crown-expeditions specifically commissioned just to recover Quinto Real treasure caches in the American Southwest. Most of what survives tends to be legends, oral traditions, or treasure lore, rather than archival records of crown-orders to send parties with the express mandate of finding hidden king’s fifths.


There were certainly markers, signs, and personal codes used by miners and muleteers, but they were local, informal, and not standardized across New Spain.
 
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You may show some things that are true, & that's part of the truth. Much of rest of the info was secreted.
According to your own book, didn't get the treasure you sought, so you may teach failure. Or, perhaps
you simply just never discovered the Secrets bacause that's what they are, or it seems are being misleading.
The markers, their use & intent, have been found to be universal across many of The United States
 
Last edited:

ChatGPT said:

Based on what historians and archival records tell us,
there was
no standardized, official “King’s Code” of symbols used across New Spain
(including today’s American Southwest) specifically to mark Quinto Real caches or mining sites.


"Just my opinion"
Relying on AI has to be Taken with a grain of Salt -
Its Just Man Programming Info – Like They Say – Garbage in Garbage out - or you mite say - Left Out...
Its like Finding Info on - Wikipedia – Good Luck with that.

Yes, Markers and Symbols were only known to the Secret Groups, for those who only Needed to know.
This method of keeping Information Secret, as you know goes on today with all Secret Society.

Its only by Boots on the Ground Research and Collecting Data, from many Trails and Mining Areas,
to find the Resources that were used as Standard Markers that Creates Truth.

The Best Research is Done By Reading Old Text and Manuscripts,
When they didn't lie or try to change our history.

Apparently they haven't Scanned this Book into AI yet.

Those who are truly interested in knowing Old Mining History,
Here you mite want to Start by Reading This.

Book 1556 DE RE METALLICA by Georgius Agricola
https://archive.org/details/georgiusagricola00agriuoft/page/n3/mode/2up

001.webp

Lost Horse :coffee2::icon_study:
 
I have a hard copy of De Re Metallica. A fascinating book, though I haven't read the whole thing. Can you point out where it talks about treasure markers?
 
Recovery Markers...
The Duck Marker is a Common Marker used as a Marker leading to a Vault /Storage Dig site,
that was most likely put their by the miners to pay the kings Taxes (20% / The Fifth).

View attachment 2225352

The Recovery Team / Government
Soldiers
would head out to the recovery site
for the Church / King.

They would follow the Trail markers and most likely there would be
Someone in the team of Soldiers that would know the way, for this area
was used over and over again in time.

Once close to the Vault / Storage Recovery Area,
the Recovery Markers would start to show up along the Treasure Trail
leading them to the Recovery Site Area.

The Idea is – These are Government Soldiers not Miners.
Their job is to Recover and get the Taxes back safely to the Missions or Military Base.

These areas would be easy access and have a Secure Camp Ground
near Water and grass Food for the Mules.

They needed a place to Rest up, for what ever time it took to Recover the Product.
The Mules Needed time to rest up and get feed and Ready to carry the Heavy load back.

The last thing you wanted is a Dead Mule, on the way back and to loose part of the product
that you were reasonable for and have to explain to your Superiors what had happened.

Most of the Time if this was a large Mining District, more than one mine up in the mountains,
The miners would uses this area as a Storage depot.

The last thing the owners or who ever is in charge of the Mine Operation near by,
would not wants any Government Personal Snooping around their Site Uninvited.

Vault Markers / Storage Areas Have their own Special Markers.
They don't use Mining Markers to lead them to the Recovery Site,
If they Did it would just confuse things when traveling near the Area.

Yes they would use The Common Trail Markers along their Journey.
But once in the Storage Area The Recovery Markers would start to show up,
Giving you Conformation your in the right place.

Just like if you were on the Trail looking for a Mining Area.
Getting close to the Mining Area the Common Mine Markers would start to show up,
giving you Conformation your on the right path.

If you are in search of a Storage area, these are the Common Markers you want to look for.
And to understand the Symbolic Representation behind these markers are Simple.

They Are “Hunting”.
The Recovery Team is on the “Hunt” to Recover - Not Prospecting.

The Hunt Symbolic Treasure Markers Representation.

They Hunt These Animals
The Duck - Lays Eggs
The Rabbit – Burrows in the Ground
The Fox – Burrows in the Ground
The Bear – lives in Caves
The Swan / Geese – Lays Eggs

View attachment 2225353

This Marker is Flat on the Ground, its designed to be Seen while Riding on a Horse
View attachment 2225354
Photo By: Sandy1 “Page #24”
View attachment 2225355

View attachment 2225356

Once a Recovery Markers is found – you should always look for other Makers Near By,
to give you "Conformation", for what you are looking at, is not Mother Nature.
Even if it looks like Mother Nature Made it.

Pareidolia- is one of the Methods they used along with Sun and Shadow

to Secretly Hide their Messages from the Average Person,

that is why even today they are still hidden and not seen or understood.

Sun And Shadow
View attachment 2225357


View attachment 2225358

View attachment 2225363

View attachment 2225359

This Marker is Flat on the Ground, its designed to be Seen while riding on a Horse
View attachment 2225360

View attachment 2225361

View attachment 2225362


Look for the Heart Marker, this is a Common Conformation Marker.
letting you now what you are looking at is what your Heart Desires.
Look for Trail Markers Near By - giving you Direction, to the Secure Camp Ground Location,
Most likely Near a Water Source with a Flat areas to Camp and Corral the Mules.
Also look for other common Treasure Markers near by.
Once the Area is Located, the Rest is up to you and your knowledge
to locate the Actual Dig Site. – You Mite Want to Bring Your GPR.

View attachment 2225364

Note: You also Mite want to Read up on Sandy1 Thread,
to Educate yourself on what you mite need to do next.
Lost Horse. :coffee2::icon_study:
Thank you, Lost Horse.

Many of these symbols that you write about and photograph, I have seen myself. Unfortunately, I've never found any artifacts that could be dated. If the recovery sites are at camping areas, have you ever found any artifacts that could be dated, maybe pottery or a broken bottle or a mule shoe?

It seems that Charles Kenworthy's books are the source of these monuments and symbols to treasure, do you know of any other documentation? I believe Kenworthy was a Mason and I have seen a video account that the Masons asked Kenworthy to hold back information about the bell symbol. In his book, Kenworthy wrote that a bell indicated a mission nearby, when it actually represented a church treasure. I've wondered if he wrote about Spanish monuments or Masonic signs that were used by Spanish Masons.
 
Last edited:
I have a hard copy of De Re Metallica.
A fascinating book, though I haven't read the whole thing.
Can you point out where it talks about treasure markers?


It Doesn't - And Why Would It – This information is Learned Later.

The Mining Section, Its about Basic laws and Regulations of the times.
Setting up and survey, setting up Corner Markers, who's in charge,
and settling Discrepancy by the Law.

Surprisingly some of this information we use today in our mining rules and regulations,
this holds true today.

Once Resources were found, it just common sense that Trails were created,
and Marking these trail, were done so to be Mapped and Documented.
Those that did this work, were working for the Government / Church.
They came from the old world, bringing their Different learned skills,
from the mystery schools, what we call Universities today.

Before they came to this New World -
Most likely they were already involved in some sort of Secret Society.
Jesuits, Mason, Rosicrucian – this is where they would have been thought
the Secrets of their ways.

The Markers and Symbols that we seek today were only known to the Secret Groups,
for those who only Needed to know.
What is known today as “Under National Security”.

This method of keeping Information Secret, as you know,
this goes on today with all Governments, Churches, and Secret Society.
Good Luck Finding any Documentation – No “Freedom of Information Act” Existed.

But it Dose Exist in the Field if you know what to look for...

Lost Horse :coffee2::icon_study:
 
I have a hard copy of De Re Metallica. A fascinating book, though I haven't read the whole thing. Can you point out where it talks about treasure markers?
It doesn't have anything to do with "treasure markers". The book is a valuable collection of information relating to medieval mining techniques and metallurgical processes. It's very interesting and well worth the read. The woodcuts that accompany the text are great.
 
For those who claim to have "secret information on treasure symbols and how to use them", please help us understand exactly how and where you were able to acquire these secrets? What exactly do you believe, and more importantly, why do you believe it?
 
Lost Horse, I like your posts. You're having fun and provide entertainment for folks who like treasure tales and adventure stories. It is fun and you do a good job.

CDS, you post music videos, western art images and scenic photos. Entertaining stuff too, with an occasional knowing wink-jab to your guru. Fine.

Critical thinkers on other threads are serious about trying to understand these topics and share things they discover. It takes all kinds.
 

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