Posted on 10/30/2008 9:02:47 AM PDT by BGHater
The legendary literary story of Robinson Crusoe, cast away on a desert island, has captivated readers for centuries.
Now archaeologists have unearthed fresh evidence about the real-life Crusoe - Scottish sailor Alexander Selkirk - who was marooned in 1704 on a small tropical island in the Pacific Ocean for more than four years.
During a dig on the island of Aguas Buenas , a nautical instrument was discovered, along with proof of a campsite dwelling, thought to be used by Selkirk.
The research, presented in the journal Post-Medieval Archaeology, supports contemporary record of the Scotman's existence on the island, since renamed Robinson Crusoe Island.
The postholes were discovered near a fresh water stream which suggest he built two shelters there and had access to a viewpoint over the harbour. There, he would be able to watch for approaching ships and keep a lookout for potential enemies.
But perhaps the most compelling evidence of all is the discovery of a pair of navigational dividers.
The nautical equipment could only have belonged to a ship's master or navigator, as history suggests Selkirk was.
It is said that Selkirk came to settle on Arguas Buenas after he fell out with his commander over the seaworthiness of the Cinque Ports, a boat they were aboard during privateering voyage.
He decided to remain behind on the island to overhaul the worm-infested vessel after landing - probably not realising it would be nearly five years before he would be rescued by a visiting English ship with Captain Woodes Rogers at the helm.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Margaritaville Ping
LOL!
Sounds like a good place for a gulch.
May need it if the Obamanation and MSM win.
I wonder if they will also find evidence of him on Mars??
Geological-historical-archeological-general-interest ping.
Absolutely brilliant film!
I liked it. And I think there’s a congresswoman out there who thinks we’ve really been to mars... ;)
It is said that Selkirk came to settle on Arguas Buenas after he fell out with his commander over the seaworthiness of the Cinque Ports, a boat they were aboard during privateering voyage.
He decided to remain behind on the island to overhaul the worm-infested vessel after landing - probably not realising it would be nearly five years before he would be rescued by a visiting English ship with Captain Woodes Rogers at the helm.
The above is a quote from the story. This does not make sense(nor does the whole story).
Points.
1> He remained behind to over haul the vessel.
a. Why remain behind to overhaul the ship that is leaving you on the Island
b.What happened to other crew members during the overhauling.
c.Why leave valuable instruments with a person with no needs of them.
1. Navigators were worth more than captains at this time.
2. Dividers are not much use without charts. And no captain would surrender their charts without a fight.
a. not sure how much dividers would be worth wihout other instruments for longitude or latitude(sexton and clock)
ping
I read into that, that he was left with a worn-out ship and a good ship sailed away -— indicating to me that there were two navigators.
The other could be explained any number of ways -— the divider was “his” and the sexton was the captains (or whoever) OR there was sexton, but it has not been found OR he lost the dividers (and the archaologist found it) and took the sexton on the rescue ship, etc.
SAK!
Most likely, the captain didn’t like him and left him there.
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Thanks BGHater. |
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WILSON! There you are!
LOL I can’t think of Mars without thinking of her!
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