Introduction
"Who knows maybe someone with a little imagination will one day find such a ship not far from Horse Mesa in the Salt River containing a treasure trove of gold and copper plates." Klondike, 2018
Over the last 17 years a series of several hundred posts has appeared on websites and forums devoted to treasure hunting and mysteries surrounding the Lost Dutchman Goldmine in the Superstition Mountains of Arizona. Little by little a remarkable backstory has emerged, told by anonymous forum posters using nicknames like Late49er, Eldorado, Klondike, Starman 1, and several others.1 Their striking accounts of history hidden for centuries inspired Gab user AlbaAvis2 to start poring over their messages in November 2021—taking notes, connecting dots and analyzing overlaps with hints from other historical threads to comprehend the forum posters’ multilayered narrative. Recognizing the significance of their story, AlbaAvis began posting discoveries from the Lost Dutchman Goldmine forums on Gab a month later, inviting others to read the forums and enjoy the journey of discovery.
Gab user laweyre3 volunteered in early January 2022 and started researching and posting, singly and in tandem with AlbaAvis, on subjects linked to historical mysteries hidden in the legends of the Lost Dutchman and the early American Southwest.
If you build it, they will come
As we write now (November 2022) with hindsight of nearly a year, our initial investigations into the unreported history of the American Southwest seem much like mining—deliberate, yet unavoidably open-ended. We simply started digging, then posting our findings, even though we had no idea where those findings would lead next. Would gates open, revealing discoveries not yet imagined?
We researched tantalizing claims of a temple dedicated to Poseidon under Fremont Saddle; an ancient cave system interlacing the Superstitions; Coronado's efforts to locate hidden treasures; unexpected remnants of the antediluvian world; ancient star observatories; and the deep significance of the Tucson Artifacts. Somehow, our wide-ranging spade work helped build a foundation for what came next.
Almost three months later, in the spring of 2022, several new anonymous posters began joining Gab chats using handles such as thecave,4 MadMax7years5 and Thedawnishere.6 These posters added intriguing information and important details, displaying deep knowledge of an ancient history they seemed intimately familiar with. A growing number of interested Gab users paid careful attention to their messages.7 In May 2022, one of the new posters announced the exact location where an ancient Roman vessel was scuttled more than a thousand years ago, and a month later declared that finding this ship would be a pivotal moment in history-- an event that opens gates to a time of profound discovery.
“… your efforts will result in the uncovering of the ship at the contact point between the Salt River and Fish Creek Canyon and that discovery will open up Oz.” (thecave, June 2022)
Posts and comments by these anonymous accounts throughout the summer of 2022 conveyed the profound significance of the ancient vessel and offered stunning forecasts for what lies ahead. We've decided to repost and quote their words almost verbatim in the final section of this article.
Calalus, the Unknown Land
The story of the sunken ship began centuries before Columbus in a Roman colony called Calalus, located in what is now the American Southwest. Astonishingly, the anonymous posters claim the name Calalus can be traced back to ancient explorers from Atlantis, the mythical island kingdom described in Plato’s dialogue the Critias (Klondike, Dec 2015).
Thousands of years ago early settlers from Atlantis are said to have explored the Americas and called them Calalus, “the unknown land” (Klondike, Dec 2015). These ancients conducted a mining operation in Arizona where they discovered abundant gold deposits and mined other precious minerals, accumulating great wealth.
Settlers from Atlantis built a religious and educational complex (Klondike, April 2011) near the Salt River under Coronado Mesa. This complex is currently called Oz. The Library of Oz, said to go back at least 10,000 years, held documents from times prior to Calalus (Klondike, Feb 2012). Within the Library of Oz was a complete history of Atlantis, carved in copper and gold plates that were preserved when the ancient civilization of Atlantis was destroyed and remaining Atlanteans were scattered (thecave, May 2022). There are reportedly paintings of many animals that lived in the ancient world of the Superstitions--including a wealth of creatures at home in wet and bountiful country (thecave, May 2022). In an adjacent site under Horse Mesa, a stunning map room is said to show a world with ice-free polar areas containing several settlements (thecave, May 2022).
The ancient Oz complex is located in an underground maze at Coronado Mesa, which in the view of these modern posters makes this mesa and its immediate vicinity the most important archeological site in the United States (Klondike, Aug 2009). The Library of Oz, it is said, will rewrite the history of America (Klondike, Jan 2011).
The Lost Dialogues
Millennia later the Atlantean name Calalus was adopted by Roman explorers who arrived in today's Arizona in the 700s AD and established a colony near Tucson. These adventurers possessed a vivid and complete description of the Superstitions contained in long lost portions of the Platonic dialogue Critias (thecave, May 2022). In the missing sections of the Critias, Plato provided a road map to the Superstitions and a story of the great wealth and power that could be found there (Starman 1, July 2014). The Critias was in fact the source document that triggered several voyages of discovery, not only those by the people of Calalus (Klondike, Dec 2015).
“In the end it is the information on the maps that pertain to Oz that is what is important. And their true treasure is not gold or precious stones it is knowledge.” (Klondike, Feb 2018)
The Platonic dialogue Hermocrates is the third part of the trilogy Plato wrote describing Atlantis. The Hermocrates deals with the aftermath of the destruction of both Atlantis and much of the known world. It also spends a considerable amount of time discussing satellite operations of the ancients with two chapters devoted to discussing the Superstitions and undertakings there.
“As always Plato includes lessons for modern people to profit from. That is the danger of technology running amok.” (Klondike, Feb 2018)
Interestingly enough Plato could not understand what he wrote about but mentions things that would astound folks today. Also the ancients had a rather curious attitude towards technology. That is advanced technology stood side by side with technologies that were relatively primitive. Seems they saw value in both. They celebrated the heroic value of crossing the seas in ancient vessels when they also could make such a journey in a very short period of time. Such is the value of Circlestone. Circlestone points to ancient technologies while utilizing more modest means. Fascinating perspective. Celebration of that which is heroic in place of technology that levels everything (Klondike, Feb 2018).
The Salt River - Transportation Hub
In ancient times Calalus was much wetter than it is today--ships could make their way from the Salt River to very near Oz (Eldorado, Dec 2007). The whole area served as a transportation hub for Calalus colonists in their extensive mining operations. Ships plied the Salt River a great deal further east and west from Calalus, even to the Pacific. It’s worth mentioning there was a ship building site north of the Salt River that created several vessels before locals burned it to the ground (Starman 1, April 2016).
The ancients used stars to navigate the world and left starburst symbols on rock formations to show travelers the way. Near the Salt River/Fish Creek confluence there are two starbursts that have crystals, One crystal illuminates the entrance to Oz from the Salt River and is clearly visible from the river. It was used to guide ships to Oz (Klondike, Jan 2011).
Is there an ancient Roman ship at the bottom of the Salt River?
Klondike, a member of the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine Prospecting Forum, was the first to speak of an ancient ship buried in the Superstitions:
"In the Salt River not far from Coronado Mesa are the remains of a ship that was scuttled over a 1000 years ago. Got caught up in events that required its destruction." (Klondike, July 2009)
Six years later he added, "In fact one sank in the Salt very close to Fish Creek and its remains are still there under a 1000 years of silt." (Klondike, Jul 2015)
It's just a sandbar
It's just a sandbar
In Arizona where creek
Bleeds into river
But it holds treasures
Beneath the sand far older
Than textbooks reckon
Ancients battled here
A Roman ship now lies where
Fish and Salt collide
Lawrence Eyre
Careful reading of the forums reveals additional details: "The specific shipwreck I mentioned occurred in the end times of the people and is mentioned in the library. There is a specific drawing of the event. From what we can tell it was a cargo vessel. Other vessels were sunk in the area over the ages. Imagine finding most of those would be pretty difficult though." (Klondike, Aug 2015)
Coveted trail maps long thought to lead treasure seekers to the elusive Lost Dutchman Goldmine may actually have been pointing elsewhere: "Who knows maybe that big hole on the trail maps is well a horse. Horse Mesa. Not far from Black Cross Butte and the Salt River. After all both trail maps in many ways show the same thing even where an ancient ship was sunk trying to escape the locals." (Klondike, Aug 2015)
The Gatekeepers of Calalus
Calalus and the Library of Oz were secretly preserved and protected by people called Gatekeepers for over a thousand years (Klondike, Jan 2011). Their primary responsibilities included protecting 1) the Gates of Rhoda, the capital of Calalus; 2) holy sites and mining operations in the Superstitions and nearby surroundings; and 3) the colony's foundries and weapons-making facilities in Eldorado Canyon (Starman 1, Feb 2013).
In the last days of Calalus, Gatekeepers fought and died protecting sacred sites and ancient treasures until they could be hidden. Most of the Gatekeepers were butchered during a final battle around 900 AD against their former slaves in a place called the Canyon of the Souls (Starman 1, Feb 2013). During the last days several artifacts were created as a map to return home to the Superstitions (edited, see Errata 2) and as a history of the people in the New World up to the time of the final battle. These artifacts, currently called the Tucson Artifacts, were found in 1924 at Silverbell Road near Tucson. They had been dumped in a marshy area by refugees fleeing Calalus, but they survived undiscovered for over a thousand years. One of the artifacts has an inscription, "Calalus the unknown land" (Klondike, Dec 2015), thus establishing a link to the library of Oz (Starman 1, Feb 2016).
The Last Battle at the Canyon of the Souls
The ship, loaded with the wisdom and treasures of Calalus, was trying to escape the Superstitions and make her way to the Pacific when attacked. To keep attackers from capturing Calalus treasures, the burning ship was scuttled in the middle of Salt River directly across from Fish Creek. The ship now lies equidistant from both shores. The battle of the Canyon of the Souls preceded this escape attempt, and many died in those two days of battle. The folks who attacked the Calalus colony were a mixed group from all over. The Colony was wealthy and the minerals they were mining were quite valuable. The Colony also was into slavery and other such things and brought a lot of it on themselves. The battle raged in the Superstitions for days and the final showdown was in the Canyon of the Souls. This was necessitated by the covering up of discoveries that the Romans did not want to fall into the hands of the locals. The assumption was they would come back one day (thecave, May 2022).
The Battle of the Canyon of the Souls as Described by Klondike
“Years ago in one of my first visits to the range I participated in a dig in the Canyon of the Souls, in the vicinity of Oz and the other. I was working a small section of a cave when I came across a sketching on a wall that showed a simple starburst. Beneath the drawing was the statement,
"May the stars keep you safe"
I dug out about a foot of overburden to uncover the remains of a Gatekeeper who died in that horrific battle. Later his remains were transported to South Africa.
I have often thought of this man. A man who had faith in something he could not see. A faith in something he could not prove. He could only die and buy time for the others to be hidden and I am sure his family along with others to escape from Calalus and the range to safety. Those last days must have been a living nightmare as many escaped up Fish Creek Canyon to only find their vessel burning in the Salt River along with all the treasures she held. In his last hours this man could only believe that somehow the people would survive and that the stars would keep them safe. Such men do not come along often.” (Klondike, Aug 2011)
“Many people died during the last battle, at least a thousand including the ground fights, on the ship in the area of 76. There are a lot of remains on the ship and in the river bed. This was total extermination.” (Thedawnishere, July 2022)
The Ship and Her Contents
“The Horse Mesa area includes not only historical information regarding the Ancients but several artifacts and crafts that are still there sealed up in tunnels awaiting what is to come. And how did the Romans get here? Their ships sailed from Rome east not west, around India and into the Pacific Ocean. And how did these ships end up in the Salt River and how was one sunk in what is now known as the confluence of the Salt River and Fish Creek Canyon. Good question.” (thecave, May 2022)
“The sinking of the ship and the battle in the Canyon of the Souls are pivotal moments in the history of Calalus and the history of mankind. The contents of this vessel prove not only the existence of Atlantis, it also proves the existence of off-world civilizations who were a part of the Atlantis experience. It proves the people existed and the entire area hopefully will become a protected site and its secrets will be of benefit to all mankind.” (Thedawnishere, July 2022)
“The ship was constructed in Arizona, a standard vessel of the time, wooden with improvements inspired by discoveries made in the range, with Roman symbols that was capable of sailing around the world. And it did several times.” (Thedawnishere, July 2022)
“The ship cargo was from the Superstitions and the ship was a last best effort to save what would have been destroyed. Its contents are the future and the past of mankind. It has been quietly waiting for the right moment to be revealed. Gatekeepers have protected her for a long, long time.” (MadMax7years, July 2022)
“The ship will reveal many, many copper/gold plates, crystals that have enormous power and the proof of everything we have talked about all of these years. The Finished Critias is in that boat, still safe after all these years. That Dialogue will open up the whole Southwest to exploration.” (thecave, June 2022) (edited, see Errata 1)
Intriguingly, another poster added that in the hull of that ship is a space/time warp drive, hidden in the lower levels (MadMax7years, July 2022) and yet another comment revealed that there is also a secure waterproof container in the lower level of the ship that contains the Scroll of Benjamin.
“This scroll provides the location of the Valley of the Blue Moon and is the last living testament of a man who was blessed with knowing the Christ.” (Thedawnishere, July 2022)
“In the ship is a chest of crystals that to put in bluntly could destroy the planet. Put in the correct sequence the power they generate could split the planet in half. The settlers did not have a clue. There are at least 223 crystals in that chest.” (Thedawnishere, July 2022)
Found?
Over the years, several posts have hinted that the Ship may have been noticed, found and inspected in the past:
Since it obviously could not be then no one should have a problem finding it. Jim Bark found it quite easily (Klondike, July 2009).
Trinkets from that vessel have shown up for many years in various collections (Klondike, July 2009).
Now that Oz has been compromised and with time the vessel in the Salt looted it is better for us to protect the sites in Southern Utah and Eldorado Canyon (Klondike, Aug 2009).
The ship that has been mentioned before is still there. In fact there is an official report documenting the survey and its findings. Very, very difficult to locate and is hidden quite well in a major museum in the United States but is accessible. At least the last time I looked. (Klondike, Nov 2015)
In terms of the wreckage of the ancient ship in the Salt River, another group is working that as I write this. In 60 days that will be worked out and stored in the same place the contents of Spirit Mountain are interned. (Klondike, Dec 2015)
As far as the Smithsonian goes the files were given a while back along with a number of other things for safe keeping. The name it is gifted under is really quite humorous. Don`t expect anyone will figure it out. It is too simple, (Klondike, Dec 2015)
I don’t expect the wooden frame to be removed. What those folks are after is the ships treasure. Taking the ship out would be far too public. And not sure I would call it a Roman ship it was constructed in what is now Arizona by the settlers of Calalus. Actually not that far from Horse Mesa (Klondike, Dec 2015).
The ship was discovered years ago but the discoverers did not know what they had found and in those days we had an active presence that shut down further investigation. I would guess the ship now is about 15 feet below the river bottom (thecave, May 2022).
The ship is buried under silt that was once below water. Now it is about 15 feet down in a very public place on the River`s edge. Some years ago a group from the University of Arizona found the ship electronically but did not know what it was and moved on (thecave, May 2022).
The Future
“The ship is in a sense an ark for mankind to escape on. Escape what the world has become and enter a future. The ship says to all, what you are is only part of what you will become. See and understand the hopes and dreams and evil of a past that you can let go while still use. The devastation of the world the opening of the Valley of the Blue Moon and the event in the Superstitions is part of God's plan to guide, teach and create a world where his children can care, love and understand what they are is not what they will be. That is why the cleansing is a must. Certain things cannot be allowed to continue, and those entities from before time began must be dealt with one at a time. They are sick and that sickness cannot be the future of mankind.” (MadMax7years, July 2022)
“The discovery of the ship will bring great hope and understanding to people, however it will also herald dark times. Time will reveal those events and some are horrible. The pride and foolishness of man will shortly be on display. These events will bring you closer to God. The dominoes are starting to fall all around us. It is important that you remember all of this.” (Thedawnishere, July 2022)
Finding the Ship
At the time of this writing, efforts are underway to rescue the ship and her contents from a thousand years of silt. There are also reports a local cave system may offer access from beneath the vessel. Whether above or below, the treasures of Calalus rest where Fish and Salt collide, ready to bless all mankind.
Remember
“Remember what we have always said you have to believe in Oz to see it. That bears repeating. You have to believe in Oz to see it.” (Klondike, Aug 2011)
“In the past numerous pointers to this have been made. Most folks simply laugh and move on. And that is ok. Because some have taken it very, very seriously and have been rewarded for their efforts.” (Klondike, Dec 2015)
References
klondike; 438 posts; 11/2006 - 07/2022
eldorado; 137 posts; 07/2006 - 03/2008
late49er; 110 posts; 02/2005 - 11/2006
starman; 13 posts; 05/2011 -07/2011
Starman 1; 157 posts; 06/2010 - 01/2020
tom dunkle; 19 posts; 04/2013 - 05/2013
Mary333; 22 posts; 05/2013 - 08/2013
td1; 11 posts; 04/2014 - 07/2018
starman; 2 posts; 02/2012
Errata
The original version of this article incorrectly dated this quote to May. The correct date is June. Edited on Nov 7, 2022.
The original version of this article incorrectly stated that the Tucson Artifacts were made by the people as a map home to Rome. The correction makes it clear that they were meant as a map back to the Superstitions. Edited on Nov 8, 2022.
Reviewers' Comments
“… and the ship will be there for all to see. Read a really good summation just recently and a tip of the hat to the hard working folks behind that. Knew they would write it so when they did poof the cave system is appearing.” — Burning Bush, 6th November, 2022
Footnotes
See References
Deleted Gab accounts. Their posts and comments were archived by several users.
Excellent, thanks to you both. When the time is right to explain all this, I'll have a resource to share & it will explain eloquently in a way I could never do.
Thank you both for putting it all together. My words cannot express my deepest gratitude.