Expert: Ralph Salier - 12/6/2005

Question
Hi Ralph

Thank you for the excellent information.

You suggested that you could better answer my question if I gave you specifics about the cave.  I'm nearing the end of the story and I now know what I'd like the characters to find in the cave. The fun of being an author is that I get to work at things backward - so the qualities of the cave will be reflective of what I need it to do in the story.

The cave is at least 15' across and 30' high on the southern California coast. It does not take in any seawater. I would like it to have some light and air from above, but will sacrifice those characteristics if they would destroy the contents of the cave.

Are there any conditions in such a cave that the following items (in order of importance) might survive for 350 years?

1.  Wood furniture?
2.  A chest full of coins?
3.  Planking, pulleys, ropes, beams and sails from a wrecked ship?
4.  Armor?

What is the best possible condition they might be found in?

Craig

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Answer
Hi Craig,

The problem with light and air from above is that it also allows rain and moisture in.  Both are highly detrimental to wood, cloth, parchment etc... any level of moisture would lead to rot.  In a nice dry cave, all of these things would be very nicely preserved for  a very long time, even thousands of years.  Just like the tombs of the pharohs in Egypt.  Those of course are sealed but they are dry and relatively cool.  Just as a cave would be high and dry on the coast of southern CA.  Now of course, you have not taken into consideration the probability of such a cave being damaged in an earth quake or something like that.  But be that as it may,  All of the things you have listed would be in some state of preservation.  The armor and metals may be corroded to some degree, the coins would not be (copper ones may show some green tarnish) but not the gold.  Silver may be black from oxidation but that would depend on how much air got to them.  Wood furniture like the treasure chest would have survived intact especially if it was originally designed to go to sea, since then it would have been varnished with a very tough varnish common for sea going furniture of the time.  Planking, pullys etc... would survive too to a greater of lesser extent depending on the condition of the material as it was deposited in the cave.  The armor, depending on the kind would be reasonably intact, the leather bindings and iron may be in worse shape depending on how badly it was attacked by moisture from the onset.  All of these items would be counted as a treasure by any one especially an archaeologist.  How has all of this stuff  remained hidden for 300+ years in an area so heavily populated?

Was there an earthquake induced slide which hid the opening? and a new earthquake has reopened it? or an opening leading down from above perhaps?

Please let me know the name of your book (its publication name) I'd like to get a copy when it is finished.