Patriot Relics
Silver Member
Hey guys,
Finally got a descent low tide in the lowcountry and decided to head out and scout a few coastal sites I'd worked in the past. Been flying like crazy with the hurricane support missions so it was nice to go out alone and get some detecting therapy in. Was not quite prepared for what I stumbled across near an old fortification used in both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. Imagine you're out, sun shining, fully charged CTX and you see this...
My first thought...has to be a deer or dolphin
but as I got closer I got the undeniable pit at the center of my stomach.
Yea, I'm no doctor, but that is definitely a human femur. While I figured the bones were old, perhaps a soldier's shallow grave, I called in the police who sent an anthropologist and a few officers to investigate. Due to the fast approaching tide, the remains were collected until an excavation could be coordinated. Here's what we found
By the time the cops showed up, the tide was in and detecting was a bust. Fast forward to yesterday afternoon...
Got out on another tried and true colonial spot that has produced in the past. Looks like good karma was on my side. The first target was a screamer on the CTX...the rare but undeniable sound of silver on a minelab machine. Dug down about 12 inches and pulled a tiny ring.
While stained by the clay, a bit of cleaning revealed a gorgeous silver ring with 2 hearts and an arrow motif. Based on comparables online, its likely late 17th/early 18th century Jesuit ring. These were also used as trade silver in the 1700s. Incredible piece of history just laying in the muck
A bit farther down river got another deep target. Flipped the plug and to my surprise an intact set of octagonal cuff links. Before cleaning I could make out a tutor rose motif, however after removing the surface corrosion most of the detail was gone.
Next target certainly got my heart racing as pewter buttons are always high on my target list.
The ring around the ring was promising, however no marked regiment on this one.
Last target ensured I scored a military button, although condition was not the best- union artillery cuff!
So there you have it, I can add human remains to my list of surface finds as well as a killer colonial ring with the mighty CTX. Not the most targets, I've scored in a single dig but definitely some quality ones. As always thanks for looking!
Update: Source of the bones has been discovered, state of preservation of the coffin is nuts. Awaiting DNA testing for more information
Finally got a descent low tide in the lowcountry and decided to head out and scout a few coastal sites I'd worked in the past. Been flying like crazy with the hurricane support missions so it was nice to go out alone and get some detecting therapy in. Was not quite prepared for what I stumbled across near an old fortification used in both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. Imagine you're out, sun shining, fully charged CTX and you see this...
My first thought...has to be a deer or dolphin
but as I got closer I got the undeniable pit at the center of my stomach.Yea, I'm no doctor, but that is definitely a human femur. While I figured the bones were old, perhaps a soldier's shallow grave, I called in the police who sent an anthropologist and a few officers to investigate. Due to the fast approaching tide, the remains were collected until an excavation could be coordinated. Here's what we found
By the time the cops showed up, the tide was in and detecting was a bust. Fast forward to yesterday afternoon...
Got out on another tried and true colonial spot that has produced in the past. Looks like good karma was on my side. The first target was a screamer on the CTX...the rare but undeniable sound of silver on a minelab machine. Dug down about 12 inches and pulled a tiny ring.
While stained by the clay, a bit of cleaning revealed a gorgeous silver ring with 2 hearts and an arrow motif. Based on comparables online, its likely late 17th/early 18th century Jesuit ring. These were also used as trade silver in the 1700s. Incredible piece of history just laying in the muck
A bit farther down river got another deep target. Flipped the plug and to my surprise an intact set of octagonal cuff links. Before cleaning I could make out a tutor rose motif, however after removing the surface corrosion most of the detail was gone.
Next target certainly got my heart racing as pewter buttons are always high on my target list.
The ring around the ring was promising, however no marked regiment on this one.
Last target ensured I scored a military button, although condition was not the best- union artillery cuff!
So there you have it, I can add human remains to my list of surface finds as well as a killer colonial ring with the mighty CTX. Not the most targets, I've scored in a single dig but definitely some quality ones. As always thanks for looking!
Update: Source of the bones has been discovered, state of preservation of the coffin is nuts. Awaiting DNA testing for more information
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Finding human remains would put a definite crimp in my MOJO!
Anyone who hunts remote sights has no doubt spotted "critter" remains but, to find human bones would twist me up inside for sure regardless how old...and you are correct that we NEVER hope to come across such a find!
Great job following through with contacting the authorities and regaining your composure to put together a fantastic hunt. Jesuit silver rings have so much mystery and coolness attached to them. Was the owner of said ring a spy sent to infiltrate a particular group of colonists seeking to thwart our move of independance from Britain? That's where my mind would go making such a find overwhelmingly COOL! Great recoveries and thanks for the unique post.
