The Treasure of Juan Fernández

The account

The island that marooned the real Robinson Crusoe also, the story goes, banked a Spanish navigator's plunder. The modern chapter is stranger than the old one: a sensing robot, a press conference, a treasure 'located' and then left in the ground while lawyers and the government glared at each other. Crusoe would understand the waiting.

Leads, where the trail points now

• Where the trail goes cold: In 2005 a Chilean firm announced its robot had located the hoard remotely, then declined to dig, citing the law. The island is still waiting. That is where any serious search begins.
• What you are chasing is 800 barrels of gold, jewels & Incan pieces, by the boldest claim on Earth. Work the documented record of The Treasure of Juan Fernández back to primary sources and separate what is attested from folklore before you commit time or money.
• The ground: A Chilean national park, excavation requires state approval.