Dear Colleagues:
 
        I am writing to you from the Patronato Panama Viejo, the institution in
charge of the archaeological research project at the Panama Viejo site,
in Panama.  During our two years of digging around the central area of
the town, the central square and the streets and buildings around it we
ve found two or maybe three swords.
 
1. In 1996, one double edged sword from the ruins of the Cabildo (City
Hall, western side of the Plaza) in a layer of ash, we assume to be from
the fire started during Henry Morgan's attack in 1671.
 
2.  A second, single edged sword,  from the ruins of the Terrin house,
to the north of the Plaza, inside the fill of a well.  We think the fill
is a late XVIth century activity.  The well was filled up so a wall
could be built on top of it as part of the XVIIth century Terrin house.
 
3.  The third sword, is difficult to say if it is a sword, looks more
like a machete, was found in a colonial context, right by that well I
mentioned, but were not sure of its authencity yet.  It looks hand made
though.
 
All three swords are under electrolisis right now, awaiting final
conservation treatments.  If you want any more details feel free to
contact us and well provide you with the information.  We havent
recovered any pieces of armour yet, but we do have what appears to be a
barber's kit, made up of tiny knives.
 
Yours truly
 
Tomas Mendizabal