It looks like NBC is getting into the game with their new Treasure Hunters show. They have created a Treasure Hunters Challenge site that you can play to enhance the experience. While not as immense in scope as The Hanso Foundation, it’s still not bad (and you may win money). What’s more is that it seems to have some end in site, while The Lost Experience seems almost never-ending.
While I originally started to put the details of the challenges here in this one entry, it quickly overwhelmed the size of this entry. So in order to make things a little more manageable, I’ve broken each week out into its very own entry, which should help to keep things somewhat orderly and help you to find what you need a little faster. At least that’s the plan. Things may change once we see what’s working and what’s not. Stay tuned for further developments on that front.
Each week is listed, along with the primary focus of that week’s challenge, which may or may not agree with what you think the challenge should be named. I’m not trying to be difficult (I promise), but I figured that it would be better to give the challenge some sort of descriptive name, rather than just “Week 1”, “Week 2”, “Week 3”, and hopefully what is there will be enough to help you find what you need. If not, I’m sorry. Click the link and read up to see if it’s what you need. If not, come on back and try the next week. Ultimately there are only 9 challenges (and only 8 weeks) so it shouldn’t take long.
- Week 1: Golden Spruce
- Week 2: Abraham Lincoln
- Week 3: West Point
- Week 4: Thomas Edison
- Week 5: Fulton Paddleboat
- Week 6: Ghost Town
- Week 7: Sleepy Hollow
- Week 8: Spanish Doubloon (and Fireplace)
Just a reminder: Since the details were getting so long, I’ve split this post into detailed reviews of each week’s challenge. Check back here, where I’ll update this list with links to each review, or keep an eye out for the detailed reviews.
If you want to discuss the overall game theory, discuss it here please, and leave the other entries for challenge-specific information.
Update August 15, 2006: For those who have been waiting, the answer has been posted.
We were indeed looking for the Star Spangled Banner at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. Apparently either Smithsonian and/or The National Museum of American History was accepted as a correct answer. The ten winners names have been posted.
Thanks, RobH, for the pointer to the post, and to everyone for playing along! If anyone who participated here was among them, congratulations and good luck in the contest!
Comments
144 responses to “Treasure Hunters Challenge”
Hey guys…Ive been reading this blog from the outset of NBC’s Treasure Hunter game as well as reading some other blogs. I believe the board itself points to the final answer. No question the pieces are showing the National Mall in D.C….Anybody look closely at the shadow from the Washington Monument…its pointing NE or pretty close….Whats NE of monument? Any ideas?
The one thing that I find curious is that the “early symbol” is “laid out”. The SSB is one display in a large glass and plexiglass box for visitors at the NMAH, which seems correct.
However, an earlier symbol was the “Don’t Tread on Me” flag which includes letters and symbols in the segmented snake (that might be necessary to use the cryptex on) and it’s original lithograph, which accompanies an article written by Benjamin Franklin, is in the LOC – but is loaned out the Smithsonian when needed “for all to see.”
I am sure I am reading too much into it, with the key, Baltimore, the ship coin, the star, etc – it all seems to be pointing to the flag, but then again, we’ve seen how even the most obvious things are often overlooked.
My husband had the idea that the treasure is buried at the point that the Lincoln, Washington, Jefferson and Roosevelt memorials line up – since they are all in the National Mall. At this point – I just want to know…
And if you check this site, you’ll find: “The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History is the home of an American treasure — the Star-Spangled Banner, the flag that inspired our national anthem. “
It could be the Star Spangled Banner…the words by Key are the clue.
1. Rush to where the treasure stands: The flag stood at the fort..the British attacked the fort.
2. Look on water for its inspiration: He saw the British war ships attacking the fort and became inspired to write a poem.
3. In dark times the words form: He wrote the Star Spangled Banner while the fort was under attack .
4. Match the tune to an early drinking song: The British Drinking song that it was named after was Anacreon in Heaven.
5. Mist half covers the symbol: He had to wait for the mist and smoke from the cannons (to clear) to see if the flag was still there.
6. In burning light the plan is laid: Bombs bursting in air…
7. Wipe out the Colour: Colour is capitalized…nick name for the British Red Coats.
Hey it just hit me… for number 2… the inspiration for the Statue of Liberty is the one in Paris on the Seine….
I like Pedja’s post. Unfortunately, the clues are very vague and can be interpreted to be almost anything. But, it’s possible to use the statue as a starting point…
1. Rush to where the treasure stands: Liberty Island (or maybe the one in Paris).
2. Look on water for its inspiration: Liberty in NY faces East over the water and over Brooklyn (the one in Paris faces West towards NYC) – what is Lady Liberty looking at?
3. In dark times the words form: Perhaps there’s a sign in Brooklyn that Liberty faces that lights up at night (or something in Paris that is West of the statue).
4. Match the tune to an early drinking song: ?
5. Mist half covers the symbol: Could be one of the NYC bridges that Liberty faces.
6. In burning light the plan is laid: ?
7. Wipe out the Colour: ?
Anyway, it’s all good fun. I’m sure the answer is going to be something completely different.
Good luck, everyone.
If you look closely at the clues… it appears to not be anything in DC. It could be the statue of Liberty..check it out.
1. Rush to where the treasure stands: Lady liberty is standing.
2. Look on water for its inspiration: She is standing in water.
3. In dark times the words form: Assuming the awe of the statute at night? Or perhaps the hospital, gallows, that were on the island.
4. Match the tune to an early drinking song: National anthem.
5. Mist half covers the symbol: The mist in the harbor.
6. In burning light the plan is laid: The torch.
7. Wipe out the Colour: This is clearly the French spelling of color and the French gave us the statue.
What do you think?
Hey guys, after reading all of these comments, sort of confusion in my head is even bigger now!
Is it too early to guess the final answer, and should we wait until next Monday to try to solve the puzzle?
My guess – Capitol Hill! On the other side, the early symbol might have been a cross itself? Any similar thoughts/leads ?
What if the early symbol is the constitution? It is laid out in the National archives building which is right next to the last piece. Any thoughts?
I found something that interested me…famous Pennsylvanians… Andrew Carnegie, Ben Franklin, Robert Fulton. I don’t know but there are very very many references to PA?