# What Are Some Artifacts, Artworks, Treasures, etc. That Are Probably Somewhere, But No One Knows Where? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 8, 2023, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-artifacts-artworks-treasures-etc-that-are-probably-somewhere-but-no-one-knows-where/992825 "2023-11-08T14:56:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2023, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-artifacts-artworks-treasures-etc-that-are-probably-somewhere-but-no-one-knows-where/992825/101 "2023-11-21T05:33:03Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > That reminds me of this: > > [https://deadline.com/2023/11/led-zeppelin-iv-cover-photo-1235596856/](https://deadline.com/2023/11/led-zeppelin-iv-cover-photo-1235596856/) Hey, that’s one of our posters here! ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2023, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-artifacts-artworks-treasures-etc-that-are-probably-somewhere-but-no-one-knows-where/992825/102 "2023-11-21T06:47:45Z")
The artifacts from the Holy Temple in Jerusalem looted by Titus as depicted on the Arch of Titus. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2023, 7:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-artifacts-artworks-treasures-etc-that-are-probably-somewhere-but-no-one-knows-where/992825/103 "2023-11-21T07:58:41Z")
> [@solost](#): > > _some_ small germ of truth to the Oak Island story though, at least in the sense that the pit had some sort of purpose-built, man-made origins. But yeah, it seems like an awful lot of trouble and expense to have gone to, and to what end? I’ve always thought it was an attempt to create a filtered well to turn seawater into sweet. The various platforms and weird fillers above them would make sense as filters. The seawater tunnel leads to the bottom of the well, and the water would rise through the filters during high tide. Not that any of it would work, but the builder didn’t know that. You can just see how he might have thought it would. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2023, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-artifacts-artworks-treasures-etc-that-are-probably-somewhere-but-no-one-knows-where/992825/104 "2023-11-21T15:42:35Z")
> [@Steve\_MB](#): > > The account of the tackle block just left hanging there also seems odd; why just leave it instead of taking it in case you need a block and tackle for something later (not to mention taking it so it’s not a big honking clue to all and sundry that there might be something interesting about this particular spot)? Mistakes happen. It was getting dark, they need to get back to the ship due to the tides and nobody noticed it had been left behind. Ships have lots of them, and maybe nobody counted whether they had retrieved all 12 they brought ashore, or only 11. Of all the BS associated with Oak Island, the idea that somebody left a tool behind at the worksite is the simplest to believe or explain legitimately. It’s everything else that’s wackadoodle. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2023, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-artifacts-artworks-treasures-etc-that-are-probably-somewhere-but-no-one-knows-where/992825/105 "2023-11-21T16:24:58Z")
> [@Schnitte](#): > > A shockingly large percentage of the Moon rocks that have been brought to Earth are unaccounted for - up to the point of a criminal justice professor routinely giving the search for rocks as assignments to students. [Stolen and missing Moon rocks - Wikipedia](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stolen_and_missing_Moon_rocks) Did they ask [Cave Johnson](https://theportalwiki.com/wiki/Cave_Johnson)? > [@Johanna](#): > > The opera _[A Guest of Honor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Guest_of_Honor_(opera))_ by Scott Joplin. His first opera. Huh - I didn’t realize he’d written an opera other than “Treemonisha”. ---
**Author:** ![Common\_Tater](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/common_tater/32/13846_2.png) [@Common\_Tater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Common_Tater)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2023, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-artifacts-artworks-treasures-etc-that-are-probably-somewhere-but-no-one-knows-where/992825/106 "2023-11-21T18:18:09Z")
Circling back to the Lewis and Clark expedition 1803-1806 , there are actually very few artifacts extant or having provenance that were known to have been purchased and carried on the expedition. Some are on display at the Philadelphia Historical Society or Jefferson’s home at Monticello, and maybe in the museum at St. Louis, Missouri, and the Smithsonian. It’s basically just a handful of items, although estimates are they started out with the equivalent of about 3 fully loaded tractor trailers of supplies and trade items. The reason for the dearth of exhibits is after the successful conclusion of the enterprise they auctioned off almost all of the equipment and surplus. The first thing that is striking is historians aren’t entirely sure what rifles they carried. Lewis spent quite a lot of time at Harper’s Ferrry getting the expedition outfitted. It is assumed that they carried the very latest and greatest 1801 models. But there is perhaps only one rifle that is known to have been associated with the expedition. Lewis also brought along an early repeating rifle - an Air Rifle, and this too is subject to conjecture. About 1905 a branding iron was discovered in a river in Oregon, capt Lewis’s iron for use on wooden shipping containers, or marking trees, etc. Other thsn that, not much. Historians don’t even know if the ingenious powder canisters made of Lead carried on the expedition were round, or square. Arguments can be made foe both. It is possible a cache or two remains undisturbed near the Great Falls, Montana. After the expedition concluded Lewis was found in a bad way at Grinder’s Tavern, en route to Washington, DC, speculation at the time was that he was robbed or murdered, or committed suicide. One of the tasks that Jefferson had for the expedition was documenting and cataloguing the various “Indian Nations” language and pronunciations for place names, etymology, and at the time, this was a big area of research at the time. Naturally there were lots of crackpot theories about “Lost Tribes” and legends of fair haired norseman found far inland, isolated tribes of red hairs, Melungeons, etc. But from a scholarly approach to languages this may have been a gold mine. Regardless of the motivation at the time though, these papers, a systematic collection of various languages would be useful today perhaps for researchers in determining how language evolves. It’s possible Lewis’s papers and other items stolen in Tennesee are languishing somewhere in an attic or something like that. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2023, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-artifacts-artworks-treasures-etc-that-are-probably-somewhere-but-no-one-knows-where/992825/107 "2023-11-21T18:38:25Z")
As an aside, _Manifest Destiny_ is a pretty good comic series. > **[Manifest Destiny](https://imagecomics.com/comics/series/manifest-destiny)** > > In 1804, Captain Meriwether Lewis and Second Lieutenant William Clark set out on an expedition to explore the uncharted American frontier. This is the story of what they discovered lurking in the wilds... ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2023, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-artifacts-artworks-treasures-etc-that-are-probably-somewhere-but-no-one-knows-where/992825/108 "2023-11-21T19:58:04Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Of all the BS associated with Oak Island, the idea that somebody left a tool behind at the worksite is the simplest to believe or explain legitimately. Yeah, I’m not convinced. The whole affair (if true) was to VERY carefully hide the loot. To leave a glaring clue like that is just highly improbable. It’s not just a tool, it’s essentially a arrow pendulum pointing right at the treasure hole. “Treasure Hole”, band name! ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2023, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-artifacts-artworks-treasures-etc-that-are-probably-somewhere-but-no-one-knows-where/992825/109 "2023-11-21T21:06:48Z")
> [@Common\_Tater](#): > > Circling back to the Lewis and Clark expedition 1803-1806 , there are actually very few artifacts extant or having provenance that were known to have been purchased and carried on the expedition. One thing they do find is the mercury left over at the campsites from the pills they took. But Yeah, I find that interesting that hardly any artifacts survive. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2023, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-artifacts-artworks-treasures-etc-that-are-probably-somewhere-but-no-one-knows-where/992825/110 "2023-11-21T22:29:43Z")
The _Secret History of Twin Peaks_ reveals the confidential papers of Meriwether Lewis with insights into his mysterious demise ---
**Author:** ![md-2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@md-2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md-2000)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2023, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-artifacts-artworks-treasures-etc-that-are-probably-somewhere-but-no-one-knows-where/992825/111 "2023-11-21T23:08:54Z")
> [@Lucas\_Jackson](#): > > “Treasure Hole”, band name! OR a movie with really bad music… ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2023, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-artifacts-artworks-treasures-etc-that-are-probably-somewhere-but-no-one-knows-where/992825/112 "2023-11-21T23:31:27Z")
> [@md-2000](#): > > OR a movie with really bad music… Porky’s V: Treasure Hole ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2023, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-artifacts-artworks-treasures-etc-that-are-probably-somewhere-but-no-one-knows-where/992825/113 "2023-11-22T00:56:23Z")
I’d watch it. ---
**Author:** ![Isilder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@Isilder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isilder)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2023, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-artifacts-artworks-treasures-etc-that-are-probably-somewhere-but-no-one-knows-where/992825/114 "2023-11-22T14:01:16Z")
No one could think that her remains would survive, given shallow burials in the tropics… but parts of her aircraft could survive somewhat recognizable form. Reminds me, much of MH370 hasn’t been found… Its just a debris field at ocean depth… so gets harder to find as time passes. ---
**Author:** ![Isilder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@Isilder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isilder)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2023, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-artifacts-artworks-treasures-etc-that-are-probably-somewhere-but-no-one-knows-where/992825/115 "2023-11-22T14:16:04Z")
Japanese swords… they disarmed all the Japanese people, so guns and swords of all sorts were confiscated… and no matter their value or if they were mainly ceremonial … the swords got confiscated and destroyed… ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2023, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-artifacts-artworks-treasures-etc-that-are-probably-somewhere-but-no-one-knows-where/992825/116 "2023-11-22T15:03:58Z")
I guess all the people still on the lookout for the sword somehow missed your definitive proof. [https://www.google.com/search?q=missing+masamune+japanese+sword&client=firefox-b-1-m&sca\_esv=584594592&channel=ts&sxsrf=AM9HkKn2xTu2FTMvGxIHgloy7rnqIS9gEw:1700665293691&ei=zRdeZYPmKIGfqtsPvYqfwAs&start=10&sa=N](https://www.google.com/search?q=missing+masamune+japanese+sword&client=firefox-b-1-m&sca_esv=584594592&channel=ts&sxsrf=AM9HkKn2xTu2FTMvGxIHgloy7rnqIS9gEw:1700665293691&ei=zRdeZYPmKIGfqtsPvYqfwAs&start=10&sa=N) ---
**Author:** ![3AxisCtrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/ecd19e/32.png) [@3AxisCtrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3AxisCtrl)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2023, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-artifacts-artworks-treasures-etc-that-are-probably-somewhere-but-no-one-knows-where/992825/117 "2023-11-22T15:06:29Z")
> [@Dropo](#): > > [Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lost_Dutchman's_Gold_Mine) I recall a book on geology making the argument that almost all lost mine legends are nonsense. In an area with productive gold mines, some rich ore will of course be stolen. A thief who shows up with a bunch of this wishing to profit from it needs a plausible story as to its origin. A “lost mine” meets this need nicely. ---
**Author:** ![sciurophobic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2023, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-artifacts-artworks-treasures-etc-that-are-probably-somewhere-but-no-one-knows-where/992825/118 "2023-11-22T16:20:06Z")
> [@JohnGalt](#): > > To save money, they sent dies for both sides in the same box (dumb), plainly labeled with the mint addresses (dumber), and sent through a common letter carrier instead of armored car services (dumbest). It’s not that dumb. The Hope Diamond was delivered to the Smithsonian via registered U.S. mail. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2023, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-artifacts-artworks-treasures-etc-that-are-probably-somewhere-but-no-one-knows-where/992825/119 "2023-11-22T16:22:12Z")
> [@sciurophobic](#): > > It’s not that dumb. The Hope Diamond was delivered to the Smithsonian via registered U.S. mail. > [@sciurophobic](#): > > It’s not that dumb. The Hope Diamond was delivered to the Smithsonian via registered U.S. mail. How does that make it not dumb? So it worked one time. ---
**Author:** ![sciurophobic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2023, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-artifacts-artworks-treasures-etc-that-are-probably-somewhere-but-no-one-knows-where/992825/120 "2023-11-22T16:32:00Z")
It worked many times. Hope Diamond Delivered by Mail > When New York jeweler Harry Winston donated the famous Hope Diamond – all 45.52 carats of it – to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., he chose a familiar, trusted carrier to transport the jewel: the Post Office Department. “It’s the safest way to mail gems,” Winston told The Evening Star (Washington, D.C.). “I’ve sent gems all over the world that way.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-artifacts-artworks-treasures-etc-that-are-probably-somewhere-but-no-one-knows-where/992825.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-artifacts-artworks-treasures-etc-that-are-probably-somewhere-but-no-one-knows-where/992825.md?page=7)