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Jan. 29, 2005 (Internationally best-selling novelist, William J. Lambert, III, began professionally writing as a result of an early — albeit unsuccessful — search for treasure in the jungle of South America. Since then, he’s been fascinated by undiscovered treasures still “out there”, waiting to be found. Writing under his own name, and under various pseudonyms — i.e. William Maltese — he’s often placed lost-treasures-found prominently in the plot-lines of his published novels, with plans for possible future utilization of those listed below). #1 [ALARIC’S GRAVE] — In 410 A.D., the hordes of Alaric, the great chief of the Visigoths, sacked rich-and-famous Rome. For three days, that city and its wealthy populace were stripped of their fabulous treasures. Afterwards, Alaric led his men southward to conquer Sicily but died of fever that same year at Cosenza. Slaves reportedly diverted the flow of the river Busento to secure a spacious grave for him and his share of the booty; the water was then returned to its original course to obscure the burial spot; the responsible slaves were slain to further conceal what’s still an undiscovered grave-site. #2 [HOLY TABLE] — “Who,” asked one anonymous thirteenth-century chronicler, “can see the Holy Table of Constantinople’s “Hagia Sophia” without being astonished?” Fully fourteen feet in length, the priceless and world-renowned showpiece was cast of gold, silver, electrum, and crushed gems, melted together. In 1204 A.D., the Franks and the Venetians invaded the city and stormed the church to claim the Holy Table as one of many spoils of war. However, the ship transporting the Table to Venice sank in the Propontis (present Sea of Marmara), where it and its valuable cargo still awaits recovery. #3 [FLORENTINE DIAMOND] — The “Florentine,” a 137.27-carat diamond, began its recorded history in 1475 when cut by Berquem. In 1477, Charles the Bold was reputed to be wearing it when he fell in the “Battle of Nancy” where it was scavenged by a foot soldier. In 1657, the Medici family had possession and passed it to the House of Austria where it was stolen by an unreliable advisor. Despite the recovery of two other “lost” diamonds (the “Austrian Yellow” and the “Shah of Persia”), both of which were temporarily mistaken for the “Florentine,” the latter’s present whereabouts remain a mystery. #4 [MESOAMERICAN JADEITE] — The Olmecs, a Pre-classic culture existing in what is present-day Mexico’s southern Veracruz and Tabasco, apparently were the first of the MesoAmerican cultures to work jadeite, a mineral superior, rarer, harder, brighter, and more lustrous (when polished) than the nephrite variety of jade used in ancient China. One source of this valuable jadeite has been located in an area of eastern Guatemala where the Olmecs, and later the Mayans, mined a beautiful apple-green variety. However, the source of a nearly translucent blue- green jadeite, so exceptionally exquisite that it was especially prized by the Olmecs, has yet to be rediscovered. #5 [WAGNERIAN MUSICAL SCORES] — “What a joy Wagner’s music has given me!” exclaimed Adolph Hitler soon after his first disastrous defeats in Russia. In 1938, before any cracks had appeared in his dream for a thousand-year “Reich,” he was presented by several leading industrialists, for his fiftieth birthday, with eight original Richard Wagner manuscripts, among them the composer’s scores for “Das Rheingold” and “Die Walkure.” Toward the end of the war, Wagner’s daughter-in-law worried about the fate of these valuable papers but was assured by Hitler that he’d placed them in a secure hiding place. Apparently, they’re still hidden there. ------------ About the author William J. Lambert III: Take a look at his books: Written under his pseudonyms, William Maltese: http://www.williammaltese.com Email: the.lambert.iii.laager@worldnet.att.net Tell a friend about this site! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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