🔎 UNIDENTIFIED looking through my box of unidentified finds from Panama

[perdidogringo]

I decided to inspect some of my unidentified finds from my time detecting in Panama (the country) a few years ago. I've attached some photos of 3 relics that piqued my curiosity today; dug on a site that had human activity from the mid-1500s (Spanish colonial) to the mid 1800s (Gold Rush 49er camp). I consulted the Spanish Colonial Artifacts Ebook (which is posted on TreasureBeachReport website), and I believe I identified one of the items as a crossbow point (page 107 of the Ebook).

But the other 2 I have no idea- one appears to be iron and the other lead- both are heavy. I was thinking maybe they are weight measures of some kind or perhaps the lead thing is a mold to make something (there's a hole at the top as if it was strung up and an indentation on the other end). I'd love to get anyone's feedback on what you think they could be! Than you in advance!

 

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[pepperj]

I decided to inspect some of my unidentified finds from my time detecting in Panama (the country) a few years ago. I've attached some photos of 3 relics that piqued my curiosity today; dug on a site that had human activity from the mid-1500s (Spanish colonial) to the mid 1800s (Gold Rush 49er camp). I consulted the Spanish Colonial Artifacts Ebook (which is posted on TreasureBeachReport website), and I believe I identified one of the items as a crossbow point (page 107 of the Ebook).

But the other 2 I have no idea- one appears to be iron and the other lead- both are heavy. I was thinking maybe they are weight measures of some kind or perhaps the lead thing is a mold to make something (there's a hole at the top as if it was strung up and an indentation on the other end). I'd love to get anyone's feedback on what you think they could be! Than you in advance!

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Well if I had dug the lead in England my first thought would be a hanging weight of sorts.
If dug in NA I would assume a fishing weight of sorts.

 

[perdidogringo]

Well, us Yankees would refer to Panama as located in Central America, not North America. But I know most of our European friends don't agree.

These relics were found in the middle of the jungle in Panama, about 20 km from the nearest coast line, along an old Spanish trail, originally built in the 1500s. So not likely a fishing weight.

 

[AlabamaRelic]

What material is the piece that you’re calling a crossbow point? It looks like an entry thimble for the ramrod on a muzzleloading gun to me.

 

[perdidogringo]

What material is the piece that you’re calling a crossbow point? It looks like an entry thimble for the ramrod on a muzzleloading gun to me.

Appears to be brass to me. I hadn't considered a ramrod like you suggested but you may be right! I surmised it was a crossbow point from Page 106 of a reference book called, "Spanish Artifacts from Santa Elena." I've attached the page.

 

[AlabamaRelic]

If it’s brass it is most likely a ramrod thimble.

 

[perdidogringo]

If it’s brass it is most likely a ramrod thimble.

Yep, I think you called that one! Thank you! Hopefully, others can chime in on the other 2 items.

 

[pepperj]

Well, us Yankees would refer to Panama as located in Central America, not North America. But I know most of our European friends don't agree.

These relics were found in the middle of the jungle in Panama, about 20 km from the nearest coast line, along an old Spanish trail, originally built in the 1500s. So not likely a fishing weight.

Appreciate the geography lesson.
As I haven't dug in Central America I only referred to what I would have thought if I had dug.
Now why do we find oyster shell 300 miles from the coast in native sites.
Things got carried to other coastal areas.
20 miles it's not far.
One would assume that if they were relocating or on an expedition they would carry all their essentials.
Weights for measure/weight for net.
Unless you like hear a far fetched piece of hypothetical nonsense that can also be attached to the lead.

 

[perdidogringo]

Appreciate the geography lesson.
As I haven't dug in Central America I only referred to what I would have thought if I had dug.
Now why do we find oyster shell 300 miles from the coast in native sites.
Things got carried to other coastal areas.
20 miles it's not far.
One would assume that if they were relocating or on an expedition they would carry all their essentials.
Weights for measure/weight for net.
Unless you like hear a far fetched piece of hypothetical nonsense that can also be attached to the lead.

Fair points, mate. I wasn't expecting to find a colonial fishing weight at this particular spot but you could be right for all I know. Thanks for the feedback!

 

[perdidogringo]

Looks like the lead item could be a sounding weight as well as it is somewhat similar to this one: https://www.icollector.com/Small-lead-sounding-weight-Spanish-colonial-1500s_i23425329

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

Because the heavy lead object is more-or-less cylindrical, and has the shape of a very-thick-walled pipe, I believe it is a fishing-net weight. One end of it got crushed/damaged almost flat, so I think it got re-purposed (by making a hole in the flattened area) as a sounding weight. (As Perdidogringo suggested.)

And yes, this version of "lead pipe" net weights do go back far enough that Spanish colonists would have been using them.