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Mysteries of the Seven Site
Did A Castaway Live Here? |
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In answer to Question One, we have recovered a number of artifacts which
appear to be “beachcombed” objects that were used as primitive
tools. Both the colonists and the Coast Guard had ready access to good,
conventional tools so the presence of crude expedient tools might indicate
the presence of a castaway. It should be mentioned that all of the artifacts
described below were found too far inland to have simply washed up there.
(Please click on each small photograph to open a new window with a large
photo of the artifact.)
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Artifact
2-6-S-21a is a shard of broken glass which appears to be from the top
of an old-fashioned glass ball fishnet float. No other piece of glass from
the float was found. Whether by coincidence or design, the shard fits comfortably
in the hand while presenting a very sharp cutting edge. The edge will be
examined by an expert in ancient tools to determine whether there are indications
that the surface has been used for cutting. |
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Artifact
of 2-6-S-21b is a shard of broken glass which was apparently once part
of a small hexagonal bottle. It was found immediately adjacent to Artifact
2-6-S-21a and no other similar piece of glass was found anywhere. This piece
also can be held safely and used as a sharp tool. Its edge will also be
examined for evidence of wear. |
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Artifact
of 2-6-S-16 is a small piece of glass, found by itself and theoretically
useful as a tool. The “point,” however, is quite dull. Perhaps
expert examination can determine whether that is natural or the result of
use. The photo at right shows the attention to detail necessary to do this
type of field work — it would be extremely easy to miss something this
small. |
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Artifact
2-6-S-18 is yet another piece of broken glass and, again, is unlike
any other object found at the site. Only about 1 mm in thickness, this triangular
plate of glass has one straight edge that was manufactured in a very specific
beveled shape that changes across the length of the edge. The weight and
thickness of the piece and the straight but complex beveled edge suggest
that it may have once covered the rectangular face of an instrument of some
kind. Unlike the glass of the artifacts described above, it is difficult
to imagine this object as being part of something that floated ashore. |
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Artifact
2-6-S-12 is interesting because it is the only “chunky” ferrous
object found at the site. There is badly rusted corrugated metal siding
or roofing material and there are various rusted-to-pieces ferrous containers
in the area, but the weight and condition of this artifact seems much more
in character with the wreckage of the S.S. Norwich City at the other
end of the island. Its shape suggests that it may have once been part of
a circular iron cover or lid but this broken fragment has obvious potential
utility as a prying tool. |
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