Well-Rooted Whatchamacallit

[burgessbogy]

I've gotten my 7-year-old into metal detecting, which makes me so happy. While digging around for records on my great grandfather's land recently, I discovered the first landholder was there in 1859!
So, we took out to the orchard and tried to stay close to the largest, oldest trees we could find. Grown up into two roots, we found this. Maybe a spring? A handle? Not sure. Whatever it is, it has been there for ages and ages, and it's large enough to ping on both sides of the tree.

 

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[ARC]

DIG BOYS !

Curiosity would have kept me there till I got it out...
Been there a LONG while.

I will await a post of it...
Whatever it is. heh

 

[burgessbogy]

The more I ponder the possibilities, the more I talk myself into trying to get it out. Problem is, the thing was already half a foot deep. The tree has approximately 170 years there, so I think it's safe to assume the tree has all but consumed it.
Any suggestions on getting it out?

 

[DirtStalker]

The Treasure is your 7 year old

 

[G.I.B.]

Explosives!

 

[sutphin]

GETIT BOY GEETIT. I WOULD DIG TO CHINA SEE WHAT THAT ITEM IS. YES SIR HAVE TO GO DEEP AND COME FROM UNDERNEATH . I WOULD TRY ONE WAY OR ANOTHER , GOT ME CURIOUS TO WHATS LYING UNDER THERE.

 

[burgessbogy]

@tylerbdad - He truly is. I value digging in the dirt with him more than he'll ever know.

@G.I.B. - Haha! Pecan tree go BOOM.

@Sutphin - it's driving me absolutely crazy!

 

[bonepicker]

Interesting. You might could try using a water hose to break the soil loose. I have pulled tree stumps out using that technique.

 

[Brother Al]

It looks like the hasp connected to a large chest....

 

[jewelerguy]

it's a treasure chest

 

[Trezurehunter]

Time for a bigger shovel. I'd get a backhoe !!

 

[lurediver]

Looks like a antique window weight.

 

[shoague]

not sure what I am looking at. Help this girl figure it out

 

[Kevlardini]

Try using a small three pronged hand trowel, that always works for me. You might also try one of those long thin weeders, basically look like a long bar with two prongs at the end, which you could stick down and get underneath the object. And yes, water is a good idea, because it would indeed help loosen up the dirt. Once you've hollowed out a space under the object, try pushing it down, and pull it out. But really, don't give up, the suspense is killing me, I gotta see what it is!