panama canal zone

[ample1]

Were there any American treasure hunters back when they were living in the Zone? Thanks.

 

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[Honest Samuel]

I am sure that there was. Good hunting and good luck.

 

[lastleg]

I am sure we dont know but that does not mean we cant say there were even when we cant really
cant know for sure that there were.

 

[TerryC]

Be sure to check country's laws regarding removing treasure from the country. TTC

 

[perdidogringo]

You better believe there were American and even Panamanian treasure hunters in the canal zone starting in the 50's and continuing until the handover in 1999, both on land and diving. A lot of bottle hunters as well. Some of them were very successful but you probably won't see them posting on here since most are dead, too elderly, and/or they are "old school" (they don't publicise their finds).

In fact, one of the first metal detector prototypes was used in Panama (at the site of Panama Viejo that Captain Morgan raided and in the Cocle region) in the early 1900s by a guy named Lieutenant George Williams. You can read about his exploits here: https://books.google.com.co/books?i...g=PA954&redir_esc=y&hl=en#v=onepage&q&f=false

There's a great history of treasure hunting in Panama. The thing is, it was legal in the canal zone days. But as TerryC mentioned above, there are currently draconian laws prohibiting the search of "cultural artifacts" and removal from the country.