Amphorae
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Amphoras or amphorae are only valuable within the context of their location and circumstances. Once taken away from their finding place,...
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Listen:
Amphoras or amphorae are only valuable within the context of their location and circumstances. Once taken away from their finding place, these are just clay vessels, and have no useful purpose whatsoever.
People are led to believe that ancient crockery is valuable, and will shell out a lot of money for some... Which is, well, a crock.
That "great value" can only stand in some corner, gather dust, and maybe serve as an umbrella stand. Or some short-term, no-data conversation piece. It was thus better off under the sea.
Did you know that there is a clandestine production of such things for less clever buyers? The crooks will copy the form, soak the thing in an organic soup, and then keep the "ancient artefacts" in the sea for several months or years.
The organic component (like meat soup, flour, fat...) attracts hordes of marine organisms - and in short time the "ware" will look like it has been underwater for a thousand years!
The anti-cue becomes antique! So don't feed the general stupidity and criminals. There is enough of that already. ;)
Read less
Amphoras or amphorae are only valuable within the context of their location and circumstances. Once taken away from their finding place, these are just clay vessels, and have no useful purpose whatsoever.
People are led to believe that ancient crockery is valuable, and will shell out a lot of money for some... Which is, well, a crock.
That "great value" can only stand in some corner, gather dust, and maybe serve as an umbrella stand. Or some short-term, no-data conversation piece. It was thus better off under the sea.
Did you know that there is a clandestine production of such things for less clever buyers? The crooks will copy the form, soak the thing in an organic soup, and then keep the "ancient artefacts" in the sea for several months or years.
The organic component (like meat soup, flour, fat...) attracts hordes of marine organisms - and in short time the "ware" will look like it has been underwater for a thousand years!
The anti-cue becomes antique! So don't feed the general stupidity and criminals. There is enough of that already. ;)
Read less
Feb, 2016Views
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Platinum
ricklecompte
February 17, 2016
The description to the right is super informative. A story beyond the image itself. Well done on both parts LookSee
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LookSee
February 17, 2016
Thank you. I always try to explain the real value of an underwater find - an it is only historical. The layout and type of scattered amphoras can show the type of ship these were transported in, leading to further discoveries and maybe the whole story about the circumstances.
It is very similar to modern forensic studies. Any part of it loses its importance once removed from the whole.
You might say that gold coins (doubloons, pieces-of-eight, etc) retain their value, but then only in their weight of metal - whereas if these are properly dated and related to certain historical data, the value may skyrocket.
Then again, there are postal stamps more expensive than gold... to some people, at least.
On the other hand, find an ice pick or a screwdriver and weave and interesting (possibly gory) story around it, and these things too will become "valuable"... See?
Funny thing, history... and people too... :)
It is very similar to modern forensic studies. Any part of it loses its importance once removed from the whole.
You might say that gold coins (doubloons, pieces-of-eight, etc) retain their value, but then only in their weight of metal - whereas if these are properly dated and related to certain historical data, the value may skyrocket.
Then again, there are postal stamps more expensive than gold... to some people, at least.
On the other hand, find an ice pick or a screwdriver and weave and interesting (possibly gory) story around it, and these things too will become "valuable"... See?
Funny thing, history... and people too... :)
PRO+
Littlelynn
February 26, 2016
You can almost feel the texture and the colors are like a soft edged stained glass. Beautiful
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AnnHopta
June 17, 2020
I love you descriptions!!! One of my favorite things that so many people never add... :-(
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CinnfullySouthern
March 01, 2023
Thank you for explaining I was a bit confused at first and that really helped! Great capture!
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Platinum
XoniUelo2
Apr 22
It is the same with deserted mansions and factories. The beauty and value of abandoned artifacts is in their surroundings, and almost all of us that visit these buildings, respect them and leave them as we found them!
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LookSee
Apr 22
True, ditto with pretty natural lengths of shores when some dumbos decide to encase natural beauty in concrete and set up kiosks with junk diverse... thinking it is an \"advancement\"! So many enchanting places have suffered such destinies it makes normal people cry in frustration. And such stupidities still go on, regardless... 😡
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