The Stigma of Tumacácori

The Guadalupe Mine, Lost Bells, and Other Treasure Delusions

Before you read any more of this page, the bottom line is this:
There is no treasure at Tumacácori

in the form of silver, gold, lost bells, jewels, pearls, or any other precious commodity. The true treasure of Tumacácori National Historical Park is its ancient adobe ruins, its recorded historical documents, the artifacts in its museum, the remains of 855 people recorded buried on its grounds, the interactions of the people who lived here, and the melancholy, peaceful feeling people experience when they visit it today.

Even if there were a treasure, Federal Law would not allow you dig it up. Extensive archaeological excavations have previously been done at Tumacácori in 1934, 1955, 1979, and 1980 to be able to understand the workings of the mission. Any future excavations will be small scale testing for information and resource management purposes only and will be done in strict accordance with Code of Federal Regulations. According to Section 3.17 of the same code, anything found in such a scientific research project will belong to Tumacácori National Historical Park. No private individual or organization can make any claim on articles recovered from such an archaeological excavation. Period! So, once again, the bottom line is:
There is no hidden treasure at Tumacácori!
but, if you want to know how we know that or care to learn other interesting information about the perils of treasure hunting in the Tumacácori area, click on any of the subjects below:

The Treasure Author | The Treasure Hunter | The Forger | The Forged "Molina Document"
Legend vs. Fact | Dangers of Old Mine Shafts

Comments? Suggestions? Email us at:

tuma_interpretation@nps.gov

Last Updated: November 1, 2003
http://www.nps.gov/tuma/home.htm