Tuesday, May 20, 2008

I GUESS WE NEEDED TO KNOW THIS




I was reading the news on my computer and this is what I found, I guess someone thinks it is important. Have a great evening :-)

National News from The Associated Press


Divers find combined gold toothpick, earwax spoon during search for Spanish shipwreck in Fla.


In this photo released by the Florida Keys News Bureau, a tiny solid gold combination toothpick and earwax scoop is displayed inside a clam shell Monday, May 19, 2008, in Key West, Fla. A Blue Water Ventures salvage diver recovered the artifact Sunday, May 18, about 40 miles west of Key West during a search for remains of the Spanish galleon Santa Margarita that shipwrecked in a 1622 hurricane. According to archaeologists, the 3-inch-long grooming tool is more than 385 years old and was probably worn on a gold chain. Estimated value could exceed $100,000. (AP Photo/Florida Keys News Bureau, Bob Care)
05-19-2008 10:32 PM

KEY WEST, Fla. (Associated Press) -- Experts found a tiny gold combined toothpick and earwax spoon, believed to be more than 385 years old, during the search for a shipwrecked Spanish galleon off the Florida Keys.

The late 16th or early 17th century grooming tool, which weighs only about an ounce, was located Sunday by Blue Water Ventures diver Chris Rackley as he searched the area about 22 feet below the surface and 40 miles west of Key West. He says its value could exceed $100,000.

The divers, who are searching the shipwreck trail of the Spanish galleon Santa Margarita that sank in a 1622 hurricane, also recovered ceramic pieces, spikes, ships' fittings, rigging elements and two skeleton keys.

"We were on the trail on the Margarita site following the artifact scatter pattern to the north," said Blue Water head archaeologist Dr. R. Duncan Mathewson. "This is the furthest point on that trail where gold has ever been found before, so it confirms that we're on the right trail."

The search for Santa Margarita artifacts began more than a quarter-century ago by the late Key West treasure hunter Mel Fisher. Today, the Blue Water team is leading that search under a joint-venture partnership with the Fisher family owned company, Motivation Inc.

Almost a year ago, Blue Water divers located gold bars, gold chains and a lead box containing thousands of pearls that were carried by the Margarita. The value of that find was estimated at more than $2 million.

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7 comments:

el said...

I could barely read that article. When I realized this was a tool that serviced both teeth and ears... well, the thought of confusing which end went where was enough to make me stop the read. ha-ha

Perhaps this was the inspiration for the swiss army knife? :-)

Anyway, Mary, I love your opening line; "I guess someone thinks it is important."

I suppose the only person this find is important to is the one who will fetch the $100,000.00 for it. Beyond that... Yikes!

Imagine who's tooth funk and earwax once decorated this lovely piece of jewelry. EeeeW!

Maryb said...

Actually I think it is kinda pretty but to think what it is used for is pretty gross.

Anonymous said...

Hey, anybody seen my toothbrush?

el said...

Okie,

When I was growing up if a person's toothbrush had gone missing, one could never have confidence again that it had not seen some of the most vile of circumstances.

That being said, it is probably best if you just go purchase a new one. :-)

---Can you tell I grew up with a stinker of a brother?

Anonymous said...

el: One can only imagine...

Anonymous said...

el: did you know that the tooth brush was invented in Texas? Had it been invented in Oklahoma it would of been called a teeth brush... :)

el said...

ha-ha

and, okie, those people from Oklahoma might very well be on to something there. :-)

I bet Rachel knows how to do a smiley with a one-tooth grin, but I sure don't so you're just going to have to imagine one right about here.