Posted on 09/20/2005 5:56:50 AM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
True-life 'Robinson Crusoe' lived atop a hill on isle off Chile
09/17/2005
The Asahi Shimbun
A team led by explorer Daisuke Takahashi says it has found where the true-life 18th century model for "Robinson Crusoe" spent more than four years in the Pacific Ocean waiting to be rescued.
Traces of a structure that Scottish navigator Alexander Selkirk (1676-1721) likely built after he was marooned in 1704 were found atop a hill on what is now called Robinson Crusoe Island, off the coast of Chile, Takahashi said in Tokyo on Thursday.
"I have finally reached him," Takahashi said.
"In times when the word `adventure' is almost obsolete, I would like to convey to young people how exciting it feels to explore our dreams," said the 38-year-old resident of Akita.
The team's findings are published in the October issue of National Geographic magazine, released Thursday.
The explorer has been hot on the trail of Selkirk for 13 years, aiming to "excavate the real Robinson Crusoe." The 47-square-kilometer island, named for the hero of the 1719 novel by British author Daniel Defoe, is about 700 km off Chile's coast.
Accompanied by four archaeologists and geologists from Britain and Chile, Takahashi is certain he has found the spot where Selkirk took shelter until his rescue nearly 300 years ago.
Selkirk was abandoned on the uninhabited island after a confrontation with his ship's captain. He survived four years and four months alone.
The island now has a population of about 630. Renamed in 1966 for the Defoe hero, it was originally called Mas-a-Tierra island. Until now, no one was certain where Selkirk had sought shelter.
In January and February, while excavating man-made stone remains on the hill, the team came across traces of a camp fire and pillar holes dug into the ground. It was Takahashi's fifth visit to the island.
A 16-millimeter piece of copper, which turned out to be part of a divider, a tool that navigators like Selkirk would likely have possessed, was also unearthed.
Radiocarbon dating and other methods confirmed the site's remnants were from Selkirk's time, said Takahashi.
In 2002, Takahashi published "Robinson Crusoe o Sagashite" (In Search of Robinson Crusoe), a detailed account of his explorations and research.(IHT/Asahi: September 17,2005)
Ping!
It's Bush's Fault he was marooned in the FIRST PLACE!
Where's my man Friday?????
Dampier's fault!
I enjoyed the book. Nobody ever told me that it is a christian story.
Perhaps it was the tragic result of leaving before the potty break was over.
Did they find a painted soccer ball with a swath of wiry grass on top?
Wow..they found a 300 year old man living alone on an island..I guess women can drive you to an early grave..
very interestPing
Nah. We know where HE is.
Heck, not only will they drive you there, they'll rent the car and fuel it up.
I think this guy found Moby Dick!
Yep Bush is Defoe!
I think you're on to something.
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