Treasure Hunting Pitfalls: Treasure Maps

(Most treasure maps are about as reliable as this kiddie map.)

Treasure hunting, just like life in general, has plenty of ups and downs even in its most basic and mundane forms. The truth of the matter is that these ups and downs can't always be avoided and should be accepted as part of the treasure hunting process. However, there are a number of pitfalls in treasure hunting that can (and should) be avoided at all costs.

PITFALL 1

Placing too much trust in treasure maps.

I don’t know what it is about treasure maps, but they exert a special sort of attraction for all of us. Maybe this goes back to our childhood days when we dreamed of finding that buried chest of pirate treasure by following a set of simple directions leading us to where “X” marked the spot.

Treasure Hunting

It may not come as a surprise to you to find out that most treasure maps are about as reliable as those kiddie treasure maps I just spoke of. In fact, the majority of treasure maps out there for sale are as phony as the proverbial 3-dollar bill. I hate to burst anyone’s bubble here, but this is a simple statement of fact.

Genuine Treasure Maps are Rare

This is not to say, however, that some genuine treasure maps don’t exist…they do. I can tell you this though...they are a rarity for the most part. In fact, I can’t think of one major treasure trove in my lifetime that was found by following a purported treasure map. Oh I know, there are plenty of claims to the contrary, but show me the money (i.e., the treasure) first.

On the other hand, I can think of plenty of major troves located and recovered by treasure hunters who did thorough research up front and persisted and persevered through all of the ups and downs I spoke of earlier. The late, great Mel Fisher (finder of the Spanish treasure galleon Nuestra Senora de Atocha) was one of these as is Tommy Thompson who located the wreck of the S.S. California and recovered its unbelievably rich cargo of Gold Rush coins and placer gold. On firmer ground, Arkansas treasure hunter and researcher Bob Brewer was able to locate and recover caches linked to Jesse James and the Knights of the Golden Circle (KGC) through a patient decoding of treasure hunting signs and symbols.

An Important Distinction

You should learn to make a important distinction between treasure maps and charts, maps, and drawings of shipwreck locations, old mine workings, historic sites, and so on. For example, many of the Library of Congress treasure maps listed in various posts in here in “Treasure Trove Dreams” are not treasure maps at all, but charts indicating the position of actual shipwrecks or the location of old mine and historic sites.

 (Historical charts and maps can be useful tools.)

Sure, we’d all love to stumble upon some old treasure map with easy-to-follow directions leading us to fantastic wealth and riches clearly marked by a big black “X.” The trouble is, while treasure maps may be great fun to examine or collect, very few will lead you to treasure. Good research, on the other hand, will.

Good hunting out there.

If you liked this post, you may want to read: “Library of Congress Treasure Maps (List 3)”

©  Jim Rocha (J.R.) 2012

Questions? E-mail me at jr872vt90@yahoo.com