Maybe better not to think ...

[banana skin slippers]

One of the Unholy Trio did a really good posting on this legend elsewhere. Am sure you would enjoy the discussion and more importantly the dated articles & research etc used in order to help detangle fact from fiction.

Bananas

 

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[Robot]

You're overlooking the key part of the research: “I went back to the earliest reports and, for example, they say the logs went all the way down every 10 feet, and that’s simply not true.”

So, now we know! Tar kilns it is!

It has always been Believed... that the "Planking" was done from the Bottom...Up!

This would be "Logical" as with a 10 Foot Ladder you would Fill and then Pack, and then Seal with Putty, to create a perfect Air Lock Seal... then Repeat!

 

[Raparee]

You're overlooking the key part of the research: “I went back to the earliest reports and, for example, they say the logs went all the way down every 10 feet, and that’s simply not true.”

So, now we know! Tar kilns it is!

Makes a heck of a lot more sense than most of the theories presented here, that's or sure.

 

[Ryano]

Let's back up a bit.. Are you saying the "cow pit" is the kiln or is the "Money Pit" the kiln ?

 

[Raparee]

Let's back up a bit.. Are you saying the "cow pit" is the kiln or is the "Money Pit" the kiln ?

The author is suggesting that the Money Pit was actually a tar kiln.

 

[Singlestack Wonder]

I have to ask myself repeatedly why people believe there is something worth wild in the "Money Pit". I believe "Jean Lafitte" said it best, "Man can be lead down bad or false paths". You know strategically, having a "Decoy" shaft with no way of reaching the bottom ensures the longevity of the legend and focus peoples attention to that pit. Think about this, if the "Cave-In Pit" had not collapsed then no one would have a reason to look there. They would focus their attention on the "Money Pit" until they had there answer and if no treasure was found they would probably look elsewhere off that island.

Especially since the money pit and the entire area around it has been dug up as deep as 200 feet during the many excavations with heavy equipment. If anyone found anything, they kept it a secret. Nothing there now but a TV show stage for those who want to believe.