Cache definition

[99thpercentile]

What do the member of this forum use as their definition of a treasure cache? The reason I ask is that from a geophysical approach, what the target is, how big it is, and how deep it is would affect the choice of method and the survey design.

I assume that the pirate ship from the Goonies would ce classified as a cache.

I assume a jar of coins would be a cache.

I assume a buried safe would be a cache.

What do you define as a cache?

 

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[robertk]

To me, a cache is something (typically multiple somethings) that was hidden on purpose, as opposed to lost by accident.

 

[DizzyDigger]

To me, a cache is something (typically multiple somethings) that was hidden on purpose, as opposed to lost by accident.

Yep..100% agree with Robert.

Keep in mind that a "cache" is not always a treasure, at least in the sense of coins, cash, etc. A cache is a spot where someone has intentionally placed something to be accessed at a later time. This could be food, water, weapons and/or ammunition, clothing, etc.

 

[releventchair]

American fur trade had mention of caches. Even descriptions sometimes; as in Lewis and Clarks journals.

Caching Supplies - Discover Lewis & Clark

Lewis records the method for hiding and storing goods, which he learned from the French members of the Corps.

lewis-clark.org

Tresure cache to me; means a deliberate squirreling away place from which to recover later. But in both a controlled and conditioned matter.

I recently recovered a peanut butter container (plastic) I used stood upright buried outdoors.
It failed to keep contents dry over the years to my surprise..
As has happened to other folks' some of other folks's buried in history. Even in properly constructed caches.
(Sans the plastic peanut butter jar.)

 

[mike44]

I agree with all the above....hidden on purpose with the express desire to retrieve it at a latter date. Long term or short term. Can can consist of any type of item, even a shipwreck if you find it first and then make an effort to hide it. Even a placer dig would fit the definition if you located it first and then put in effort to hide it from others.

Would a lost time capsule be considered a "cache" ? I mean it fits the definition.

HH
Mike

 

[MiddenMonster]

I'd say that the two conditions mentioned above are all that is necessary for something to be considered a cache:

1. Intention to place it.
2. Intention to recover it.

Anything that meets those two conditions should be considered a cache. It doesn't have to be valuable. It doesn't have to be clandestine. It doesn't matter what it is. In fact, it doesn't have to be connected to human activity. Squirrels and acorns, dogs and bones would be examples of that.

 

[giuhalftrack]

I think we cannot define a "size" for a cache, because they vary from a little jar to big boobytrapped boxes (es. cache planted by fascist at the end of the wwII)

 

[: Michael-Robert.]

Waybill:

 

[Limitool]

I too agree with the above statements of a cache definition:

Somebody on purpose hiding something of value at one time and wanting to retrieve it at a later date. Shipwrecks don't count because nobody put the ship with gold coins on the bottom of the ocean on purpose to hide anything.

Somebody putting 2 leather satchels in a dark place under 2 large flat rocks with 300+ gold coins within is my idea of a cache. The Kentucky guy who found all the gold coins somebody buried and later found in his field. Or... the tin cans someone buried in CA. full of gold coins and found.... Those are all examples of a cache (in my opinion).

I'd highly expect most cache's found are not heard about because of all the focus back on the finder or the circumstances upon which the cache was found. They keep their mouth shut and any evidence is non-existence. They quietly sell off their find and live happily ever after. But it is great when a finder can share and show what he/she had found. But I bet most times it is not a smart thing to do.